Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

> I was wondering how rocky is the Bridgeport ride in the PS ? Is it 
> ok to ride it without pads?

If you're doing the LD, I wouldn't worry too much -
the second loop has mostly lovely footing and you
don't really need pads.

If doing the 50, there are quite a lot of rocks on the
first loop but much of that trail is so technical, you're
walking anyway, so provided your horse isn't a tender
foot he should be OK.


> Has anybody used something else for padding? I know vettech sells 
> something, but with all the materials it comes out to 100 dollars.

Hoof-It is quite a bit cheaper and is reasonably
easy to apply - all you need is their kit (two bottles,
beakers, stirrer sticks, etc) and some duct tape.

I've used it at Bridgeport - you would want to apply
it the day before.

Clean the foot thoroughly - you want it free of debris
and dry. Take a quick ride out in the desert sand
beforehand to scour any oils/moisture out. If you can
get your horse to stand on a mat, it helps keep the
newly cleaned foot from getting bits on it, but my horse
seldom cooperates there.

Ideally enlist a willing helper to either mix or hold feet up.

First cut some duct tape strips to make a "pad" big
enough to cover the entire bottom of the foot. Stick
this to the side of the trailer/wherever - within easy
reach.

Also cut a piece of tape to stick across the back of
the heel to make a "dam" to stop any excess gloop
flowing out the back of the foot.

Once clean, start mixing per the recipe in the kit. As
you stir, it'll start to get warm, and then suddenly, voila,
it'll start to set up. This is where you act fast.

Get your willing-helper to whip the foot up, stick the
"dam" across the back of the heel and pour the stuff
into the foot.

The gloop tends to want to flow towards the downward-
pointing toe, so try to keep the foot level and push it towards
the back of the foot. You want an even layer, esp. down next
to the frog. You can use the stick to push it around.

(hint: in warm weather it will set quicker).

Once it's at the tacky-firm stage and you feel like it will stay
in the foot without flowing out or reshaping inappropriately,
slap your duct-tape pad over the bottom of the foot to stop
stuff sticking to the bottom of his foot and let him put his foot
down.

Start on the next foot.

Above all, remember to laugh when you instruct your helper
"Whatever happens, don't let him put his foot down once
I'm pouring the stuff in" - and the horse promptly snatches
his semi-filled foot away and plonks it down in the dry, bitty
grass, smearing unset gloop all over the mat that he's supposed
to be standing on.



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lucy Chaplin Trumbull
elsietee AT foothill DOT net
Repotted english person in the Sierra foothills, CA
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=