I have a couple of horses who have never had shoes
on and the whole barefoot thing with them is sooo easy especially since I
discovered Renegade boots. Transitioning from shod to barefoot takes a lot of
commitment and is not easy. But, there are so many options out there that it is
a lot easier now than in the past.I recently got a quarter horse eight year old
who has been shod all his life...literally, even all through the winter. I
pulled his shoes about 3 months ago and even with boots on he was sore to
ride and definitely sore walking around in the pasture. I tried putting epics on
him during the day but he literally ripped the gaiters apart with his teeth
(he tears up everything he can get his teeth on..just like a very naughty
puppy)
then I put sole guard on his soles and it works pretty good put wears off
pretty fast and he was still pretty ouchy even with the sole guard. Then I
got renegades and put them on over the sole guard which works great
for riding..but can't turn him out in the pasture with the renegades on because
he rips them up too. I have a wonderful natural trimmer and Wednesday we
are going to do a thing called casting the foot...you can look it up on the
Internet but it will make him comfortable in the pasture...it doesn't completely
cover the sole so things stay healthy...I expect it to take about two years
before he will be absolutely comfortable in the pasture and for short rides,
without boots or anything else. I just cant say enough good things
about renegades..But just know that barefoot is not nearly as easy as
shoes and you have to be really committed to make the transition from shoes to
barefoot. If you email me I will send you some links that will help you
out....sbolinge at aol dot com
