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Re: [RC] [RC] OD boots/shoes - photos of the trail - Flora HillmanWell, if you really want a first hand "look" at the trails, I'm uploading recent photos from our trail clearing rides online to the OD website www.olddominionrides.org Click on the Ride Photos link in the menu, or just go to this link: http://olddominionrides.8m.com/photos/Trails/Trails.html The photos will give you a good idea of the changing footing of the trail -- there are so absolutely lovely sections where you can fly along until you hit the rocky parts (generally on the ascent/descent), but they are usually only moderately short stretches, and generally just demand you go slower for a bit. It gives the horse a nice breather, and you *know* that everyone (who isn't insane) is going to slow to a walk as well, so you're not losing... or gaining... any ground on anyone else. Interesting to note: With the three horses that we used trail clearing 18 miles of trail this weekend: mine was barefoot in Easyboot Bares on all four, Karen's was barefoot with Easyboot Bares only the front and barefooted behind, and John's was shod with steel shoes in front (no pads) and barefoot behind. All three did fantastic -- we trotted the 5 miles of gravel roads to get to our trailhead (where we'd left the equipment ahead of time since we were coming back to a different trail head), and then walked the whole rest of the distance (because we didn't want the horse carrying the chain saw to get upset if it started banging around). All three were sound as a dollar, and feet were absolutely fine at the end of the day. Not a hint of soreness. Some of these sections are also heavily used by casual riders who come for the weekend, many with barefoot horses. And they survive ... to come back repeatedly and do it again and again. So it actually is very "doable" with lots of nice stretches with no rock at all. It's just that people *remember* the rocks. HOWEVER... when you are competing in endurance rides on these trails, you are going a LOT faster than the recreational rider, and you should have your horse protected as well. Use either boots, or shoes and pads all around, or pads in the front only. Flora Hillman =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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