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Please substantiate your statement that "metal shoes amplify  
concussion".  I predict that you find any studies that show more than  
a slight increase.

Lynne


On Aug 31, 2005, at 5:03 PM, Linda Cowles wrote:

> > Coming from an endurance  background, I have been dumbfounded
> > by the number of serious injuries I see in the dressage/show
> > crowd. (one halter horse I knew bowed a tendon trotting into
> > the ring) The more they try to keep them safe, the more they
> > put them at risk, but how can you convince them of that?
>
> This is sooo true! I have a friend whose a vet and I like to assist  
> at the
> big dressage barns, and these horses are way to protected. One of the
> biggest problems with them is the shoeing trends. Most of them have  
> long
> toes and under run heels, which results in navicular, or  
> artificially high
> heels - to lessen the pain of the navicular they already have.
>
>
> > To answer your question about hard surface making them
> > stronger...it will, if used in moderation with ample time for
> > the body to react and grow stronger. You ride on a hard
> > surface one day, the next day the body lays down more bone to
> > be prepared for "next time".
>
> This is good up to a certain point. Horses evolved be able to  
> handle lots of
> concussion resulting from many miles of travel on hard ground; the  
> problem
> is we bypass the horses primary shock absorption system, the  
> function of the
> hoof,  when we nail on metal shoes. Metal shoes actually amplify  
> concussion.
> Even though synthetic shoes restrict the expansion of the hoof (the  
> shock
> absorbing action) they were developed to reduce shock, and might be  
> a better
> choice if you want to condition on hard surfaces. I have friends  
> who use
> shock tamer pads too, and swear by them. Also, putting boots over  
> the shoes
> helps minimize concussion.
>
> Training on hard surfaces still achieves the desired results when  
> you use a
> good boot, shock absorbing pad or synthetic shoe to help reduce  
> concussion.
> Amplified concussion is not a good thing.
>
> Linda Cowles
> Certified Hoof Care Provider
> WWW.HealthyHoof.Com
> HealthyHoof@xxxxxxxxxxx


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