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RE: [RC] [RC] RC What Shoes Really Do - Ranelle Rubin

Amen Carolyn!

I have huge respect for those who can do our sport without steel shoes, and boot for endurance rides. I do have a bit of a concern for horses doing rides without any protection, but that is something I really don't want to address here.

What I do want to address is that we all need to keep an open mind and heart as to what others chose to do. I will be starting a filly for my boyfriend next fall, and she will likely always be barefoot, with boots for all riding. That is his chosen way of managing hooves. He trims his horses, and has the farrier out every 6-8 weeks to check/adjust/teach him what is working or not working.

I have emailed Karen Chaton about when to start this filly in boots, which boots to start with, sizing, etc..and will be learning myself about boots. I only use Easy Boots for emergency "flat tires" on the trail, and have a boot on my saddle at all times. It will be a learning experience that I am looking forward to. When it is time for boots for her before she goes out on the trail, she will have worn them running around her pasture to be sure they stay on. I am not the most patient person and don't want to spend my precious trail time %$#-ing with boots.

Point is, we all can learn from each other...and we are entitled to our opinion..and we all need to understand that there are so very many ways to accomplish the same thing....ride, really ride!

If I were closed minded about this issue, I would be missing out on a chance to start a fabulous filly (a DR Thunderbask dtr out of a Paint mare). I would also miss out on the opportunity to present my 230 lb boyfriend with a horse who has been started right, has developed the muscles to carry him and the mind to do the job...:) It is a gift I can't wait to present him with!


Ranelle Rubin, Business Consultant
http://www.rrubinconsulting.com
Independent Dynamite Distributor
raneller@xxxxxxx

916-663-4140 home office
916-718-2427 cellular
916-848-3662 fax






From: Carolyn Burgess <carolyn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: carolyn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: Judy Houle <judyshatir@xxxxxxxxx>, ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [RC]   RC What Shoes Really Do
Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 06:13:35 -0700 (PDT)

We've had this discussion before about going barefoot. Barefoot is great if you horse can do it. I have six horses, all are currently barefoot. I have one that we are waiting for the biotin supplements to kick in and grow enough healthy hoof to nail to. No amount of toughening up is going to make this horse able to go barefoot. He has always been shod (long story about why he is barefoot now), but this horse is lame in the pasture (SE Texas, grass over soft sand - no rocks or roots) because of his poor feet. When ridden, this horse needs shoes, pads and boots over the shoes and pads. This is what he needs to be comfortable, so that is what he gets. Don't go and tell me that I am an awful horse owner because I don't make this horse miserable in some ego trip on my part to be able to say, "My horses are all barefoot", like it is some badge of honor.

I have bad feet. I have a very high arch and no pad either on my heel or between the balls of my feet. When you take in imprint of my foot, you see two points in the front (for each of the balls of my feet) and one point at the heel. There is a tiny line along the outside and nothing in the inside. You see one point for my big toe. The other four toes do not touch the ground. Going barefoot is not an option for me, I can't even wear regular shoes without excruciating pain. I have a special orthotic that I wear all the time. No amount of toughening up is going to make my foot better. Same with the horse I just described. I can either shoe and pad him, or he is miserable.

I do what my horses need to be comfortable, healthy and sound. If that is barefoot, then great. If it means shoes, pads and boots over that, then that is what they get. This is not about ME, it is about them.

Carolyn Burgess

Judy Houle <judyshatir@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: Metal horseshoes do provide protection from excess
wear, but at the cost of increased concussion to the
hoof and bony column. They inhibit the natural shock
absorbing quality of the hoof by restricting movement
of the hoof when weight loading and unloading. I do
not believe they increase traction, more often they
decrease it. How often have you slipped and slid over
grass, mud, sheets of rock, asphalt or gravel? A
horse with thin soles could be properly trimmed and
conditioned to build up calloused soles by going
barefoot instead of shod.

Judy


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Carolyn Burgess
Email: carolyn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Website: http://www.doubleheartranch.com
Phone: 1-978-897-6624
Fax: 1-419-735-1117





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Replies
[RC] RC What Shoes Really Do, Carolyn Burgess