Re: Fitting a Wintec to my Fjord, or not
This message is from: "Karen McCarthy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Eileen, I KNOW it's really hard to get those [EMAIL PROTECTED] gullet plates back into the saddle! It took 2 of us, my Dave, (who is also a horse shoer) and I,did it though. We literally almost had to sit on the damn saddle to hold it down while we pried the opening wide enuf to accept the gullet plate.And...it still did not fit. I sold the saddle and bought a broken-in AP Hubertus (Denmark) saddle on Ebay. The only person I know who has heard of these saddles is Dagrun of this List. Maybe you should try a Duett saddle? I think when the saddle I just described konks out, I'll proably look into one of these: http://www.duettsaddles.com/about.htm I also saw this site while I was trying to find the Duett site, looks interesting: http://www.sipsey.com/english/ This is how they describe the saddle they offer for wide backs: They sell the Avante Haflinger All-Purpose The "Haflinger" has all the great features of the Curvet but is made to fit wide back ponies, Arabians, large Quarter Horses, and European breeds. No. 01085 $375.00 Good luck in your quest! KMac Karen McCarthyGreat Basin Fjords :: Carson City, Nevadahttp://www.picturetrail.com/weegees Original Message Follows To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Fitting a Wintec to my Fjord, or not Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 09:07:42 -0700 (PDT) Just FYI for some of the folks asking about fitting a Wintec AP to their Fjord. Yesterday my shoer and I tried to fit a Wintec gullet to Marikape (aka, Jane, that damn pony). My shoer did a beautiful job, but after she finished, there was no way that the gullet was going to fit back into the Wintec. Way too wide... (In all fairness to the Wintec company, I'm sure that they did not design these for a 55 gallon drum on legs ;-) The Wintecs fit my wide-body Appys just dandy.) So I'm hoping to find a used Bob Marshall treeless saddle. If anyone knows of one with a larger seat (17 inch), please let me know. Thanks! Eileen in sunny eastern WA, calling for rain!!! tonight or tomorrow.
Re: Quinn picture
This message is from: "Warren Stockwell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> HUBBA HUBBA BIG MAN!! The boy's lookin' Good. Roberta - Original Message - From: "Dagrun Aarsten" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sent: Monday, September 15, 2003 6:06 PM Subject: Quinn picture > This message is from: "Dagrun Aarsten" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Unfortunately no performance pictures under saddle from the prefessional > photographer, but a nice headshot of Quinn. Can't you tell he thinks he's > quite the champion? > > http://www.mm-photography.com/main/whp913/full/030913-e022-9573.htm > > And here's one of Bob proud of himself after jumping, me patting him: > > http://www.mm-photography.com/main/whp913/full/030913-e001-9506.htm > > Maybe tomorrow I'll finally have time to write about the Days Creek > evaluation! It was great. > > Dagrun
Re: Quinn picture
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 9/15/2003 4:11:13 PM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Unfortunately no performance pictures under saddle from the professional photographer, but a nice headshot of Quinn. Can't you tell he thinks he's quite the champion? *** Wow, he looks stunning! Glad the photographer got at least a head shot. / )_~ /L/L Brigid Wasson SF Bay Area, CA www.Brigid.Clickryder.com
Re: going bare foot
This message is from: Marsha Jo Hannah <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > "John D. Herr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I would only add a question for people to ponder. > What do the wild horses around the world do to protect there > feet from wearing out? 1. Wild horses can (for the most part) choose the footing they walk on and the speed at which they move. 2. Wild horses tend to avoid letting anyone increase their hoof loading by putting 200--300 extra pounds on their backs. 3. Wild horses also avoid letting anyone hitch them to vehicles that (with driver and cargo) weigh 500--2000 lb. 4. Wild horses undergo "natural selection"---the ones with crummy feet become someone's lunch. Man has interfered significantly with domesticated horses. He breeds them for color, or speed, or pulling power, often to the detriment of the soundness of their legs and hooves. He saddles or harnesses them, and mandates that they work at gaits of his choosing, on surfaces of his choosing---including stuff like concrete or asphalt. He dictates their diet, and how much (or little) exercise they get when not "at work". There is darned little that's "natural" about modern domesticated horses. Marsha Jo HannahMurphy must have been a horseman-- [EMAIL PROTECTED] anything that can go wrong, will! 15 mi SW of Roseburg, Oregon
Re: Fitting a Wintec to my Fjord, or not
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 9/15/2003 9:11:32 AM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: So I'm hoping to find a used Bob Marshall treeless saddle. If anyone knows of one with a larger seat (17 inch), please let me know. Thanks! *** Eileen, there are many used saddles available on www.sportsaddle.com. These are genuine Bob Marshalls -- beware of mass produced Circle Y's which you may see on eBay and the like. / )_~ /L/L Brigid Wasson SF Bay Area, CA www.Brigid.Clickryder.com
Re: going bare foot
This message is from: Marsha Jo Hannah <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > "DeeAnna" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote > > Am I the only one besides Brigid who has found that barefoot > Fjords usually do their own hoof trimming? > [...] > My horses run on rocky pasture that has a large, steep hillside and > several steep terrace banks to play on. My experience is that it all depends on the footing. In California, my Fjords were on gravelled corrals. When I tried to leave them barefoot, their hooves wore down faster than they grew (especially the old mare), until they were "walking on eggshells". It was marginally OK in the winter, when the ground was soft; come summer, they were really ouching around, even in the corrals, "asking" to have their shoes back. Once the ground hardened up, my somewhat flat-footed gelding needed pads under his shoes to keep him from rock-bruising on our trail rides. Something about the mineral content of the soil/gravel and/or the seasonal wet/dry cycle there caused their hooves to become very dry and chippy. Here in Oregon, my Fjords are on nice sandy-loam soil in their corrals (dry lots---they only get 2 hours per day of pasture time, which they spend eating as fast as they can). I'm able to leave them barefoot; they have grown out nice, moist, chip-free hooves. However, they DO need to be trimmed. The farrier stretched his appointment out to 9 weeks last time, and cut over 1/2" of hoof off of one gelding, 3/8" off the other. These guys spend much of their day with one gelding "round penning" the other (at the walk), but that's not enough to wear their hooves down. Marsha Jo HannahMurphy must have been a horseman-- [EMAIL PROTECTED] anything that can go wrong, will! 15 mi SW of Roseburg, Oregon
Quinn picture
This message is from: "Dagrun Aarsten" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unfortunately no performance pictures under saddle from the prefessional photographer, but a nice headshot of Quinn. Can't you tell he thinks he's quite the champion? http://www.mm-photography.com/main/whp913/full/030913-e022-9573.htm And here's one of Bob proud of himself after jumping, me patting him: http://www.mm-photography.com/main/whp913/full/030913-e001-9506.htm Maybe tomorrow I'll finally have time to write about the Days Creek evaluation! It was great. Dagrun
RE: going bare foot
This message is from: "John D. Herr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dear Brigid, I agree. I would only add a question for people to ponder. What do the wild horses around the world do to protect there feet from wearing out? I would suspect that since they are barefoot all the time and usually live on rocky barren ground that there feet naturally trim and wear at the proper rate to keep everything in balance. The pictures and studies I have seen all indicate healthy feet. I also believe that use of the horse will stimulate growth (and healing). John D. Herr -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, September 14, 2003 1:11 AM To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Re: going bare foot This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 9/13/2003 9:56:22 AM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Barefooted is fine. HOWEVER, if you are doing your homework and putting in the miles required to do a good job, the wear will exceed the growth. I [ponies] wear steel shoes out in about 6 , or 7 weeks when in moderate training. There is no way that I could get by going barefooted. Sure wish I could, much better for the horse. *** This is a commonly stated logic with just one flaw: steel shoes don't grow -- hooves do. Not only do they grow, they grow as needed. Barefoot endurance riders report fantastic growth after long treks. Not trying to make any converts here -- you'll do what you think is best -- just pointing out that barefoot is possible for any work load. I once joked to the owner of a trail riding string that she'd put me out of business hoof trimming if she went barefoot with her herd. The long daily walks would self-trim and maintain themselves. She smiled and said no, her horses need shoes [and she needs to pay $150 x 20 every 6 weeks]. / )_~ /L/L Brigid Wasson SF Bay Area, CA www.Brigid.Clickryder.com
Re: Fjords very well represented to a fancy eventing crowd!
This message is from: "Jessica Fry" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi all, First I would like to congratulate Dagrun & Quinn on their performance. Very well done! It sounds like they made quite an impression on a lot of people watching there that day. If I were you I wouldn't fret too much about the scoring by the dressage judge(s). This is a familiar experience for many people that have competed with Fjords (and other 'non-conventional' breeds) in open shows, even over here in Holland. If you encounter a jury that's going to measure your Fjord by the same standards as a dressage-bred warmblood, you might just be clean out of luck, frustrating as this can be. Like Marsha Jo said, try to find out which judges will appreciate your Fjord's abilities and avoid the ones who don't. Anyway, Brigit, I read your piece with rising enthusiasm & am looking forward to more Fjord-showing accounts in the future! Jessica
Libby 2003
This message is from: "The Mercers" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Just a quick note (I'm at work!) to let everyone know Libby 2003 was fabulous! The participants and judge were great and the weather held. It was my first show and what an experience! Fjord people are the best! I'll wrote more later. Taffy Mercer Owned by Reina the fabulous!
Barefoot
This message is from: "Dagrun Aarsten" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Barefooted is fine. HOWEVER, if you are doing your homework and putting in the miles required to do a good job, the wear will exceed the growth. I [ponies] wear steel shoes out in about 6 , or 7 weeks when in moderate training. There is no way that I could get by going barefooted.Sure wish I could, much better for the horse. That is an interesting point. I believe there are two other things to take into account, that I have started to discover. Like Brigid stated, hard wear will stimulate more hoof growth. There is also the fact that metal wears different from a hoof - the hoof makes a more elastic contact with the ground. Imagine driving you car in metal tires on asphalt - I am pretty sure they would wear out faster than the rubber, yet rubber is softer... My Quinn gets worked pretty hard at least 4-5 days a week, on rather poor footing (dirt w/rocks in arena, asphalt and gravel on trails) and I wish he would wear his hooves more! They grow at incredible speed, just a week or two after a trim they are starting to look long again, so he needs to be trimmed at least once a month. Sometimes I go soak his hooves in the creek, then ride at slow trot on asphalt for 1/2 hour or so to REALLY get some wear but it never comes close to exceeding the growth. If he was wearing shoes, I am pretty sure he would wear them out in 6 or 7 weeks, too, with the amount of work he gets. Don't you think? Coming from Norway, I had never even thought of alternatives to shoes but it is very fascinating to go into the barefoot world. My only solution to a horse getting slighty sore would be to put shoes on. Now I've realized that sometimes just waiting a few days for the hooves to harden and grow is all it takes, combined with careful transitioning into work on gravel etc. Sometimes this process (on more soft-footed horses and horses that have had shoes for a long time) it is a matter of months instead of days, with either limited use of the horse or the need for boots. So it requires patience. Another interesting point: My TB mare, who has been in a stall with shavings while recovering from an injury, gor really ouchy on gravel after her trim. I was expecting this to toughen up in a few days, but she didn't seem to get much better even after weeks. Then I moved her into a paddock three days ago, with harder dirt footing, and she is walking normally on gravel again already! Could be a coincidence but I really don't think it is. So I see how keeping horses in a stall would make barefooting difficult in many cases. Dagrun in San Jose, Ca
Re: Fjords very well represented to a fancy eventing crowd!
This message is from: "Dagrun Aarsten" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hello everybody, This is Dagrun, blushing with embarrassment after reading Brigid's email of praise! I was very, very happy with Quinn this weekend and I guess that's what counts the most! Quinn is also very proud of himself, and he enjoyed the show tremendously, charming everyone, and showing them that he isn't juts "cute" , he is also a performer! I still haven't seen the video, and it's hard to be objective about one's own dressage test, but he did feel great - correct bend in corners and on circles, obedient and responsive to every little aid, well I did have to constrain him a little extra in the corners since he was thinking of jumping that cool little rail again. It is very possible that I was "overriding" and constraining him a little more than necessary, so they didn't see how light and supple he really is. The score was a solid 63% which isn't bad at all (last time we did the same test, the judges were very much biased in favor of him, I think, and we scored 70.5% for a test that didn't come near what we rode this weekend in quality). The judges comments were all correct, and very informative, but the scores not very forgiving. I saw some of the other rides, that were mostly correct but not as regular, steady, obedient and consistent as Quinn, that were rewarded in the high seventies (many around 78-79). So we were not exactly what the judges were looking for that day, but we got many compliments from total strangers, several of which very clearly knew what they were talking about, which warmed my heart. We even got compliments from people who didn't see us perform, but had heard from "everyone" that the fjord did a really great dressage test. He really did impress lots of people, me included, so I can't ask for more. With a placing after dressage of 12th out of 16, I didn't have any hopes of placing (top 6) anymore. When schooling at home, I try to keep our jumping sessions reasonably short, so it is more like play than "work". So Quinn isn't really used to jumping 13 sizeable jumps with long gallops in between, especially in such heat. The footing was probably a little deeper and heavier than he is used to from home, too. So I kept our warm-up short (crossrail, BIG excited buck, upright jump once, oxer once, done). Then I told him to give it all and show them what he could do. And he did! Of all the sixteen, there were only three clear jumping rounds, and Quinn was one of them! What a superstar. That placed us third overall! I was in heaven. Quinn is not the most careful jumper (those rails fall down so easily, he knows it doesn't hurt much) and here he was faced with combinations (with distances designed for larger horses) and some other challenges that were new to him. In advance, I expected us to place well in dressage and not so well in jumping, possibly with a rail or two down, so this was a nice surprise! Dagrun, very happy with her little boy Quinn, and with Bob the TB, too.
Gene, this time
This message is from: "ruth bushnell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Usually it is I that posts to the Fjord List, but this letter is written by my husband Gene.Ruthie = I saw the worst looking team of Fjords at Libby ! They were outrageously mismatched ! One was visibly and notably taller than the other, one was gray, one was brown worse yet, the gray one hung back in harness at the walk, making the bulky team mate do most of the pulling. They both looked fuzzy, and maybe a tad frowsy as well.. They.. HEY! Wait just a minute, that was MY team ! =))) These two boys, the odd couple I call them, are neither one conformationally correct, nor do they turn any heads, (well maybe, but for the wrong reason =)) I shudder to think what they would score at an evaluation clinic! These two scrubs (technically rejected), geldings Odie and Hohmer, are mostly self-taught. They do get out of formation, they do rub their heads, even slip the bridle if given a chance (Hohmer likes to nibble on leather upon occasion.) But to all of these superficial considerations, I say, so what! When I want a good using horse I can always count on either one of them; wrangling, trail riding, driving, teaching Fjord babies to drive and have manners, or to give visiting children rides. I walk into the corral with halter and rope in hand in plain sight and they either stand or walk toward me.. never any shying away from harness or saddle, no rebelling at the prospect of being worked.. always WILLING and always SWEET. In hunting season they will pack me to the top of a mountain and pack back the game. At the Nordicfest parade the two of them pull my 2500# stagecoach with ease. I confess it is difficult for me to equate their virtue without choking up.. Their compliance is humbling.. Danged if I dont love them =)) We, being Hohmer, Odie, and me, entered a barrel driving class at Libby, we knew we only stood a chance of a ribbon in a timed event, as we couldnt cut it for smooth and pretty =)) In a class of about 8 (I believe), half were singly driven and half teams, my odd boys got down and boogied their little hearts out (as they always do!) and beat them all ! (picture big head here =)) Triumphantly exiting, a lady come running up and pointed at Odie.. I WANT TO BUY HIM! she said, but of course Odie is priceless. I said all this to say this.. Odie and Hohmer loved participating (well sure, I did too) and they are wonderful ambassadors for the Fjord breed. While there they gave wagon and kiddy rides and soaked up all the attention. Im glad we were welcome at the Fjord show even though we are non-typical. I know there are others out there just like us and I hope they feel welcome also. You see, to me, the Odies and Hohmers of the Fjord world are totally equal with all those other Fjords who have achieved perfection.. Mind you, Im not about to trade for one of them! Gene Bushnell, NW MT
Re: Raising standards/Ursula
This message is from: "ruth bushnell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
.I stood out like a sore thumb, but a proud one. So, this is a reversal of
the chat going on as I was to my intent and purpose "well turned out." I
suppose we must do it as the crowd we are in does it. I will never get used
to that esp in these casual days. So, if we want to join the group we better
do as the group does or choose another group? Jean G.
===
Jean, I salute your individuality in choosing to "dress to the nines," as they
say, in a setting that was otherwise! I would be among the first to admire you
for that. Doing "as the crowd we are in" is for teens who bow to peer pressure
and we are all mostly adults here in the Fjord world.
And after all, if everyone were to strive for a state of similar precision
performance, and a complete state of an invented perfection, it would be
BO-- ING ! ("see one, you've seen them all" =)).
PLEASE, PLEASE, NOTE: I do admire and appreciate everyone who is precision
schooled and dressed...(goodness, who doesn't!?!) I'm just wishing they'd be
more tolerant of those that aren't !
I once heard it said on a List (can't recall which one) that there is often a
particular profile of a person that is drawn to rare breeds, because they want
something that no one else has, which generates and nourishes that inestimable
feeling of "smug and superior" (as author Patrick McManus terms it, and states
there is no better feeling in the world) but, after a while.. even that is not
satisfactorily fulfilling to a perfectionist who craves that unique feeling of
Smug and Superior so they begin to create a rare system within the rare
breed. (wheels within wheels, as it were, their private caste system).
Those who behave in all-knowing elitist ways are creating an iron-clad system
of elitism that is turning the Fjord Horse into a rich man's sport.. those are
not my words, but the statement of a man at the show. I would have let this
subject drop long before now had I not discovered what a tremendous following
there is for promoting ALL Fjord horses and their individual owners.
Yes, if we don't fit the current manufactured show template, we could take our
imperfect selves and drop out-- as regrettably, so many have done! But would
this benefit and promote the Fjord horse somehow? Will it be necessary to
develop a split effort in order to sanction ALL fjords!? I should hope not!
Let's keep our eye on the mark, which is promoting EVERY Fjord Horse.
Ruthie, NW MT
Fitting a Wintec to my Fjord, or not
This message is from: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Just FYI for some of the folks asking about fitting a Wintec AP to their Fjord. Yesterday my shoer and I tried to fit a Wintec gullet to Marikape (aka, Jane, that damn pony). My shoer did a beautiful job, but after she finished, there was no way that the gullet was going to fit back into the Wintec. Way too wide... (In all fairness to the Wintec company, I'm sure that they did not design these for a 55 gallon drum on legs ;-) The Wintecs fit my wide-body Appys just dandy.) So I'm hoping to find a used Bob Marshall treeless saddle. If anyone knows of one with a larger seat (17 inch), please let me know. Thanks! Eileen in sunny eastern WA, calling for rain!!! tonight or tomorrow.
Feeding a weanling
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have been reading your column for about three months now. I still haven't figured out the format but I do try and glean some information now and then. Right now I need some advice on feeding a weanling. In about three weeks I will receive a PMU fiord colt, born in May, I believe. I live in southern CA. We have only seasonal pasture. Finding information on fiords is difficult except for the Handbook from Dam Farm, which I haven't ordered yet. Also, what will be the best living quarters to begin with? I also have a 17 yr Quarter mare but I won't put them next to each other but within visual range. No other horses on the property yet. I have never raised a baby before so would appreciate all the help you can provide. Thanks
Re: raising standards... long
This message is from: Starfirefarm <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ruth bushnell wrote: > When I resisted the comments of Carol's in regards upgrading standards in the > west, it seems I "kicked the sacred cow" (metaphorically speaking of an > ideology of course, giggle). I have also heard the Jensen's repeatedly declare > their intentions of raising standards. To me, that meant change for additional > constraints and I would hate to see this happen. (Carol did specifically > mention Libby in her post you will recall). One of the things that I think is so magic about the Libby show is that the orgainzers keep in mind the fact that this breed does attract so many novices and includes "fun" classes and novice classes in the program, both in riding and driving, therefore including the people new to the breed and showing. Yet, there is also room for the folks who show in "open" competition to strut their stuff. The opportunity to have knowledgeable and experienced people at the show gives novices who are new to showing an opportunity to see what it can really be about, hence, giving them an opportunity to make choices about which direction they'd like to take their horses/showing skills (or whether to show at all.) The first year I drove at Libby, I was a novice to drivng and remember borrowing an apron from Jerry Frizz (who was very gracious and loaned me this beautiful wool apron..thank you again Jerry.) I didn't know, at the time, that an apron was considered a part of the accepted turnout for the style of carriage I was driving and had been "tipped off" by a more experienced person. That was my introduction to the idea of combined driving, and all of the tradition that goes with it (I'm still learning. Driving, if you are interested, is steeped in rich history and tradition.) I'll never forget being at Libby our second (or third?) year and watching Brian Jensen, Lou Thiesen and Pat Malloy driving their pairs all over the show grounds. Even while I was getting ready for my classes, the sound of those horses clip clopping in rhythm up and down the road, and through the woods, always garnerd my attention. I WANTED that! I had never seen the type of harness that Lou's pair was wearing (Hungarian style breast collar, marathon harness) and I took numerous photographs. The idea of driving multiples, for me, was captivating and invigorating. At that time, little did I know that, a couple of years later, I would be part of an agreement between Brian, Jeff and Lisa Petersen and myself to each bring and compete with a 4 in hand. Pat Malloy had plans to join us as well, but was unable due to health issues. The show organizers offered a class just for our four in hands. What a thrill that was! My point, if it hasn't come through yet, is that Libby can be a starting point for just about anyone, and should still, as Ruthie believes, cater to the novice horse person. I do think, however, that it's also important to offer classes for the folks who enjoy participating at a "higher standard" (if you will.) As a matter of fact, no one has mentioned the lovely Western outfits that some of the younger girls have worn while competing in Western Pleasure, Stock Seat, etc., fancy (but tasteful) matching hats, chaps and shirts, complimenting the color of their fjords. They usually beat the pants off of everyone, but not because of their dress (though, when seeing them first enter the ring, I'm sure the judges say to themselves, "now there's someone who knows what they're doing") it's usually because their horses very well schooled and put on a good performance, therefore, the outfits seem somehow appropriate. I DO think that raising the standards should include, first and foremost, the aspect of safety. The show committe, as well as the experienced drivers out there, should be knowledgeable of, and should keep their eyes out for, the novice drivers (ANY drivers really) who may be improperly hitched, and give them a hand to put together a safe hitch. Here is where some adherence to rules, such as ADS rules and guidelines regarding accepted equipment, can be of service to the organizers. It can also help in the case of liability, should (heaven forbid) an accident occur. > Why not make Fjord shows more user friendly and all inclusive, why not also > promote the "country" Fjord; the working class Fjord? I think they did this with the Morgans, creating a "country pleasure" driving class to offset the fancier "pleasure driving" with the high stepping park horses. With respect to the fjord driving classes, I think that the more experienced drivers need to keep in mind that there are going to be less experienced drivers in the same class, and should expect it to be a learning experience for those less experienced, therefore be more tolerant of them, while they are showing in their classes. > I just now thought of an idea... you know how entering college freshman are > often assigned a veteran student
Re: going bare foot
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Brigid wrote: "...The long daily walks would self-trim and maintain themselves" um Am I the only one besides Brigid who has found that barefoot Fjords usually do their own hoof trimming? I have had a very difficult time finding a reliable farrier in the past few years. My old farrier often asked if I trimmed my horses' hooves, because about all he ever did to them was a light trim and rasp 2 or 3 times a year. (My answer: No, I seldom trim my horses' hooves unless I needed to fix a serious chip.) My horses run on rocky pasture that has a large, steep hillside and several steep terrace banks to play on. Their feet usually look very nice, even without the help of a farrier. Sometimes their toes get a bit long in spring & early summer, but the extra length quickly wears off on its own in a few weeks. I have been considering getting Old Macs for the times when we trail ride and the horses must carry us on our limestone gravel roads. They do "ouch" a bit then. DeeAnna
