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[RC] Barefoot and Boots - Roger RittenhouseNot to start the barefoot wars again... this is a summary of how well my gang of 4 are doing I am BF because I cannot get any shoer to come here. Even the shoer I used from Cleveland TN, will not come anymore, he did not return my calls nor did he tell me why he wont shoe for me.. so much for 'professional' shoers... and yes I paid my bills. I could not find a good shoer around here, most are the GOB walking horse type, crap work. So I have to make BF/Booting work for me or I dont ride. The trim methods I use are 'light' NO radical 'slasher' methods. I looked to Jamie Jackson and Pete Ramsey for guidance along with my 30 plus year knowledge about how a hoof should look and how to balance it. I do not really care for Jamie Jackson.. too much 'natural mustang religion" But his book was worth the price for the pictures. I do not chop off the heels, I keep them low to frog level, and keep the toes back. I roll the toes referred to as the mustang roll trim.. BUT my horses are NOT mustangs on open land. I let them wear naturally and only adjust when I get flares or wall ridges. The 'pasture trim ' works fine if you roll the edges and a bit more roll on the toe. I only use a file and hoof knife. I bought a good hoof stand and file/knife at the AFA Convention last month. The solid hoof stand is a must for ME and the horse. They all do well with it now. All are going sound BF. I dont ride the older 2 hard or long and only trot on forgiving trails. I have boots that fit the old mare and the retired Omni. I boot the front if we are going on the rocky roads. The mule and the foxtrotter have tough hard hoofs. The mule is BF all the time (3 yrs). Had frog issues - common with mules since they do not have lots of frog ground contact due the dished mule foot. I have been working her heels down over time. The foxtrotter is doing great BF. The longest ride was 18 miles over rocks and crap in Big South Fork. He does wear his toe length more then growth so I have to boot him some. He did not go well - gait- in the BARES. Too heavy in the toe. He is a pacey foxtrotter. I have him going well in a set of (4) Renegades. It took one adjustment of the cables to get them right, so far he is going great, stays in gait as well as he does when BF. Easy on easy off. I joined a BF list, but was told to leave when I said I wanted NONE of the 'religion' crap - I only wanted facts science and evaluation of my trim jobs. I read the list but dont post - way too over the top for me. If I had to do all the stuff and had all the problems some of these BF riders do I would not have horses. The best place to find rational civil support and advice is on www2. HORSESHOES. com Mostly shoers - but some well versed trimmers and they will offer advice and reviews of your work, with no trash talk. I sometimes think the 'cult' tries to make this concept too complex. It take me about 20 minutes per horse every week or 2 to balance and adjust as need. I take almost no sole or frog. I trim frogs that have ratty sections that are wearing off. I use a common hoof oil or dressing on the frogs to help keep them thrush fee. I did have a problem with the mule this winter due to all the rain and mud. There is an assortment of products that will work well to manage this problem. I would not have concerns about riding a LD with my MFT BF on soft trails in the SE. Rock trails, I would just boot him. IF I was doing 50 milers I would go BF and carry the boots then install as needed. ( I doubt he is a 50 miler so that is not an issue) I posted my picture web site about my trim jobs from a few months ago. ://imageevent com/ vmaxept barefoot. I hope this helps those with concerns to consider giving BF a try Roger R 8263 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 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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