re: footwear

[dave & abby bloxsom <cyclone@snet.net>]

Keep in mind, also, another difference between regular running shoes &
the riding sneaks . . .  the tread pattern is very different, and
(especially if you have rubber pads in your stirrups) the riding sneaks
do not "grab" the same way that running shoes do.  Running shoes are
made to grab the road a bit .

Also, if you ride with your feet "home" in the stirrups (all the way
in), then you really do need a cowboy heel to make a difference in
"snaggability".  The riding sneaks were developed to mimic english
paddock boots, and designed to be used with a comparatively (to western)
small stirrup opening and the stirrup placed on the ball of the foot.

Many endurance riders use the larger stirrup with the foot home, and
can't run in cowboy boots, so therefore the hooded stirrups are the
safest.

My $.02.
-Abby