I think that your words:
<<O.K -- all that just to get the discussion going! Am I a farrier? Heck
no, but I've spent enough in the last thirty years to know what is needed
and, usually, when to stop telling the farrier what I want BEFORE he hands
me the hammer! >>
Echo my feelings somewhat. However there was a time or two that I did take
the hammer in hand to demonstrate what I wanted. Still good relationship
with the farrier!!!
I feel that the whole thing with the foot problems that we have, in this
case with the endurance horse, is that there are few farriers who really
understand the competition horse, the competition horse conformation or the
competition horse way of going. I have had several deep discussions with
nationally known farriers regarding endurance horse shoeing. Then found out
they were very knowledgeable about show horse shoeing but had never seen an
endurance horse travel.
There is much tradition in the farrier trade as there is in any horse
related activity. And most of it is just plain bull s**t. If the average
endurance competitor was observant and really cared, there is a world of
knowledge to be gained by just watching other's horses travel while riding
with them. In one season the average rider, being observant, will then
understand how, why and what horses feet do. Sorry but this knowledge will
blow out most of what is considered "correct"
<<I finally solved an interfering problem by letting the mare go barefoot
until she wore her own toes down.>>
Most farriers do not like this idea as the foot then does not conform to
"the book" If you do this(and we have for years done this every spring) you
find out the foot does not land "flat" and the foot does not "look" balanced
but the horse sure likes it better. In my not so humble opinion, we would do
better to listen to the horse than to what someone thinks should be. as I
have said many times EACH HORSE IS AN INDIVIDUAL.
<<There have been so many comments about heredity and navicular that I
wonder if its' not time to start a new discussion on the relationship of
devastating foot problems, inherited PROPENSITIES toward those foot problems
and prevention through correct (NOTE I DID NOT SAY CORRECTIVE) foot care AND
the correct training and riding (in balance) of the horse?>>
I agree, Inherited problems = breeding sensible rather than emotional.
Correct foot care = the natural way of going and maintenance i.e. dry hard
ground when possible not irrigated swamps we see for pastures. Correct
training and riding = riding WITH the horse not on the horse.
I find most horse problems are NOT horse problems but PERSON problems. Mary
Twelveponies quote "THERE ARE NO PROBLEM HORSES JUST PROBLEM RIDERS" is more
true than people want to admit.
If you want to get into shoeing details, all is well with me. I am very
willing to address this subject from the practical side, hammer, nippers,
tongs and forge -- the conformation side, toe in toe out, balance, club foot
-- or the mechanical side, how the foot travels, what changes do to the
horse etc.
Let's get some others in on this and make it worth while
Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID