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I think a lot of it depends on the horse.  Some of them take to the boots 
with no problems at all.  They can have boots put on them for the first 
time and do a 50 or a multiday with no problem whatsoever.

Other horses might need more time to adjust.  It can affect their way of 
going, especially if they are not used to the boots.  I think it took my 
horses all longer to adjust to using boots on the hind feet, than on the 
front.  I would recommend starting out using the boots on the front feet 
first, and if somebody wants to use boots on all 4 feet to definitely have 
the horse used to having 4 boots on for several times prior to the actual 
event.  Again, that depends on the horse, some will be fine right off of 
the bat, and others need more time.

In 2001 when I got my two horses ready for the 2000 mile XP ride, I spent 6 
months riding them both in four boots to have them ready.  Both had already 
done a few thousand miles each with 2 easyboots on their fronts.  They did 
great that way and have since continued to do a lot of miles with four 
easyboots on.  Those two horses used the boots on over shoes.  In fact, 
once they were comfortable and going well with four easyboots on anytime I 
rode them in a ride with just 2, they didn't feel as 'right' as they did 
with 4 boots on.  So I think that for those two horses they were 
comfortable and moved best with four boots on.

I'm trying the barefoot thing out on the younger horses.  They have a lot 
better feet.  I don't think my two older horses would have been able to 
compete for very many rides with hoofboots on over barefeet.  They don't 
have the hoof quality.  Using boots on them over shoes worked really well 
and helped to compensate for their less than perfect feet.

When Chief (one of the younger horses) had metal shoes on, he was totally 
easyboot challenged.  He had trouble with 2 boots, let alone 4.  I did get 
him over that enough to where he did do one 5 day ride last year that way 
without any trouble with 4 boots.  For a couple thousand miles he went in 
ground control shoes and did really well in those.  They are light, and 
allowed him to breakover just right (he's short backed) without any 
interfering, or pulling shoes off, or causing any clumsiness.  I am so 
thankful that we have the Epics now, because I think I have finally found 
what works the BEST for him -- using them on him without shoes gives him 
the same perfect breakover and movement that he had with the Ground 
Controls, but with a lot better overall protection, and it makes it a lot 
easier for me because I don't have to worry about whether or not he has 
collected up a rock under the plastic shoe, or little pebbles that would 
work their way in and were virtually impossible to get out.

I spend an equal amount of time working the barefoot horses that way 
(barefoot), or with Epics or regular easyboots on (the new model boots stay 
on them really well barefoot, I haven't had one come off yet on a training 
ride).  I can't visually see any difference in how they move or breakover, 
or track, and can't feel it when I'm on them.  I'm sure the horses are 
compensating and learning how to carry themselves, they seem very 
comfortable in the new boots.  The bottoms are thicker/stronger than older 
model boots, and I think that helps.  There will be new boots hopefully 
available soon that will be held together with a bungee, rather than a 
buckle and cable that are going to really simplify things.  :)

Karen
in NV

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