 |
RE: [RC] Barefoot/Shoes? Advice needed PLEASE! - LONG & Slightly OT? - Linda Cowles>> I've got some horses shod and some
barefoot. depends on the horse!
There are three choices; barefoot, booted or
shod.
Barefoot horses that have recently come out of shoes or
have been minimally conditioned need to be booted on hard terrain. Sarah hasn't
been able to do regular, consistent mileage this past few months, so her
horses feet can't become conditioned.
The way to get a tough foot on a previously shod horse
is to boot up and condition like you are getting ready for an
endurance ride. Most previously
shod horseshorses that get 20 to 30 miles a week in boots get
to the point where they don't need that protection fairly fast, in 3 to 6
months, but some horses still need boots on tough trail or when working at
speed.
I have 4 horses whose feet crumbled when in shoes (they
had very good farriers) and they now travel very tough roads unbooted
and very sound. Excercize in boots and a good trim are what transformed
them. If a horse isn't 100% sound barefoot on trails, riding him unbooted will
make him more sore.
I persnally would only do something like
endurance racing in boots; at least at this point. And when I'm riding with
people riding shod horses, I boot up the front feet. Why? I don't mind using the
boots and they protect Gabby from charging through stuff he'd be careful
with if I was in a non-competitive situation. Boots are easy, and they'll get
easier.
Three good choices. Shod, barefoot or
booted.
|