This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com
Sent: Sun, 12 Feb 2006 11:13:54 EST
Subject: Hoof Boots
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
I've recently removed Joe's shoes, and we are having a difficult
transition
period. I've talked to a couple of people from this list, but thought
I'd go
to a wider audience for their experiences with hoof boots. Here's
where
we're at now:
*** Hi Kate-
In the struggle to find the best boot, one understands why folks did
the iron shoe thing in the first place! Just stick 'em on and you're
good to go for 6 weeks...
My horses have been barefoot for years, and I have learned that the
environment is the most important ingredient for barefoot soundness.
When my horses live in clean, dry conditions and are ridden/exercised
frequently, they are "sound as a pound" on just about any surface. If
they have to stand in mud or urine, or if I take them from a soft
pasture to ride on a sharp rocky road, the results are not so great.
Don't despair, as it takes a year for a whole new hoof to grow out in a
stronger form.
I have decided that special hoof trims have little effect. I have
studied different styles of trimming, from Strasser-type to your basic
farrier pasture trim, and have found that, in the end, the environment
will determine the soundness. Of course you need someone with a basic
level of competancy who understands the shape of the natural hoof and
doesn't remove too much horn or leave too much heel, etc., but beyond
that it's up for grabs.
I've settled on the Old Mac boots and am pretty happy with them. They
are not perfect, but they are easy to put on and they do the job. Now I
only have to use them as needed.
Brigid
