Re: Driving on pavement
This message is from: "Joe Glick" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Taffy Mercer, I drive an average of 100 miles a month on paved road. Now the 100 mile average is usually split up between 3 or 4 horses, but I have driven a pair 45 miles in one day and driven one horse 65 miles over the course of one week. I have never used any kind of splint boot or leg protection except in a case where the horse hits his own legs with his feet, then I put on ankle boots. But that is usually a case of poor farrier work that causes that to happen. The only time I ever had a lame horse was right after I had new shoes put on them. There again I blamed it on poor farrier work, (ie. trimed too short or poor balancing of the hoof). The key to successful driving on pavement is finding a good farrier. I'm very picky when it comes to choosing a farrier. Another thing is NEVER allow a horse to run fast down hill. It puts a tremendous amount of shock on the front legs and will eventually ruin them. My father-in-law always made his horses walk down hill but you can get away with a slow trot. If you want more info, feel free to email me. Joe Glick Glick Family Farm [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Driving on pavement
This message is from: "Carol J. Makosky" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The Mercers wrote: My question is - when you folks are driving on pavement do you use splint boots or some sort of protection for the horses feet/legs? A lot of my driving will be on the pavement and some of the roads around here also are of larger rock rather than smooth gravel. -- Hi, I do most of my driving on asphalt and have shoes on all feet. I guess if you are really worried about the pounding, you can have pads put under the shoes. Carol M. On Golden Pond N. Wisconsin
Driving on pavement
This message is from: "The Mercers" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Howdy everyone, We spent this past weekend at the Small Farmers Journal auction in Sisters, OR. For anyone who has never been - it's a blast! This was my first time and my husband and I have decided we'll be going every year. Lots of goodies! Sunday was my birthday and my sweet hubby bought me a new Roberts Carriage Co. wagon at the auction for my birthday! Yahoo! It's all oak, came with both a pole and shafts and I can either have the benches in the back (which hold 4 comfortably) or remove them and have a delivery wagon. The minute we got home Sunday afternoon I hitched Reina up to the wagon and we went for a drive around the farm. Awesome! My question is - when you folks are driving on pavement do you use splint boots or some sort of protection for the horses feet/legs? A lot of my driving will be on the pavement and some of the roads around here also are of larger rock rather than smooth gravel. Sunday was the first time I'd driven Reina since I brought her home from Gayle Ware's. I'd ridden her and she works like a dream (smarter than I am though!). I found when I drove her I was over driving her and am going to have to work hard on using a very light hand. Gayle did an excellent job with her. My gelding, Thor, is now "in school" with Gayle. I can't recommend her enough! Hope you're all having a wonderful spring! Taffy Mercer
