Re: To shoe or not to shoe...
This message is from: jen frame [EMAIL PROTECTED] I am really appreciating this thread, because I have been concerned about my Fjord's tender-footedness. I am a devoted barefoot horse momma. My Fjord has been increasingly tenderfooted on anything that even resembles a rock (i.e. she is even tenderfooted on dried mud that is pitted from hoof marks when it was wet). My new Hoof Trimmer seems to be cutting her hoof wall too short. I asked him to keep it a little longer, but he refused saying that the hoof wall is NOT supposed to be weight bearing. This next trim, I will insist that he leave the hoof wall 1/8 longer than the hoof wall/sole junction, and see if that helps her out. I trail ride her and drive her. I am going to buy her boots, but have been stalling due to not knowing which brand to get. I thought I had settled on Old Macs because people on another list (recreational Driving) seem to love old Macs, but then I saw Kate's posting yesterday on this list inwhich she said they were a pain in the butt to put on. So now I am back to square one. If I have to struggle and grunt and sweat in this Texas summer heat to put boots on, it will be a waste of money because I won't use them. I am now seriously considering the Renegade boots... Does anyone who uses boots for Fjords use Renegades? If so, how are they to put on? I have crossed all of the various Easy Boot styles off the list due to what I expect is difficult to put on, and/or the potential for Coronet band rubbing.. Anyone drive in boots? Thanks, Jen On 6/18/08, shawna smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: shawna smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] Just want to chime in here, as a shod riding friend of Lola's. The Epic boots that Lola and friend Pam use definitely work very well. I will be going with boots for my young gelding this summer and most likely with my mare as well this winter. She's had shoes on continuously for 3 years and her feet are great, but with higher fuel costs, I doubt I'll be riding quite as much this next winter and the boots seem like a good choice. Another friend I ride with in steep, muddy, rocky terrain uses the old mac G2's and loves them. The boots all seem to provide better traction on rocks and slick muddy hills than shoes do. At least in our group, it's always my mare leaving the most skid marks on slick hills; not the booted hooves!! Shawna in OR - From: Lola Lahr [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 7:47 AM To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Re: To shoe or not to shoe... This message is from: Lola Lahr [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Kelly- A friend of mine and I both have barefoot fjords, and use boots. They are great. I use the Easy Boot Epics, usually just on the fronts, but sometimes on all four feet when riding in rough, muddy and/or rocky terrain. I have seen shod horses lose their shoes, slip and slide on the rocks, getting cut and scraped, etc., and my horse, in her boots, just walks right on through. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: To shoe or not to shoe
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi-- I am a firm believer in barefoot if possible, but use a traditional farrier and have had great luck with the Fjords' feet. We just received our Renegade boots on Sunday in preparation for a road trip that will involve some graveled trails (Fjordfest in NC). As required, I did have a natural hoof trimmer come out and size them and then order and return to fit them. I have limited experience with boots, but so far we have been really happy with the appearance, fit and ease of these boots. They are very easy to put on once they are adjusted correctly once. They remind me of the material that was used for those sandals called jellies, a few years back, and they seem very forgiving but snug in their fit. I also love how the back of the boot is open below the heel captivator so that any dirt or rocks in the boot have an escape route. It also doesn't hurt that they come in great colors...I got fire engine red for my eighteen year old gelding, and he is definitely making a fashion statement. He looks like he is wearing little red Mary Janes and we are getting ready to hit the yellow brick road. I will keep you posted about the Renegades and can send pictures off the list if you are interested. Happy trails! Kris in NC with Monark, Kasper and Clyde Off to Fjordfest on Sunday, where we can drone on and on about our beloved Fjords and no one will mind! **Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut000507) The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: To shoe or not to shoe...
This message is from: Don Brackett [EMAIL PROTECTED] I use old macs, just open them up all the way and put the toe in first, let them step down and the you can adjust them a bit. You can even pick up the foot just slightly and tap the toe on the ground to make sure it's in the right place. I like them better than the epics which for me are a pain to put on. Jane in rocky Maine where the horses all agree that boots or shoes are much nicer than ouchy! - I thought I had settled on Old Macs because people on another list (recreational Driving) seem to love old Macs, but then I saw Kate's posting yesterday on this list inwhich she said they were a pain in the butt to put on. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: To shoe or not to shoe
This message is from: jen frame [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Kris! I am so excited to hear that you got Renegades! Please DO let me know, either off-list ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) or on-list how the Renegades work for you. I won't be able to have a Certified Natural Trimmer come fit them. Do you think I'll be able to fit them myself the first time? Or can a regular farrier who does barefoot trimming fit them? I love the colors they come in, but I was thinking of getting black for my Fjord so they'll match her harness when I drive her. jen On 6/18/08, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I will keep you posted about the Renegades and can send pictures off the list if you are interested. Happy trails! Kris in NC with Monark, Kasper and Clyde Off to Fjordfest on Sunday, where we can drone on and on about our beloved Fjords and no one will mind! **Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut000507) The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: To shoe or not to shoe...
This message is from: jen frame [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jane, Do you LOVE the Old Macs, or have you just found a way to deal with putting them on? Jen On 6/18/08, Don Brackett [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: Don Brackett [EMAIL PROTECTED] I use old macs, just open them up all the way and put the toe in first, let them step down and the you can adjust them a bit. Y Jane in rocky Maine where the horses all agree that boots or shoes are much nicer than ouchy! The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
RE: To shoe or not to shoe
This message is from: Gail Russell [EMAIL PROTECTED] I met a woman who was taking a 4 day riding vacation at Pt Reyes in California (Marin County). She was riding her horse barefoot, and he was very sore. When we got back to the trailers, she asked me about the boots we had (Epics). We showed her and she liked them. It turned out that she had been forced to use a barefoot trimmer in order to buy Renegades, and that she had immediately returned the Renegades because the horse just trotted out of them. The barefoot trimmer had cut the horse too short (they sometimes can do that) and the horse was too sore to carry on. We lent her our boots and had her mail them back to us after the vacation was over. It worked out pretty well. Our barefoot trimmer just got a pair of Renegades to try. She seemed to like them, but I am not sure exactly how much she had used them. Gail -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of jen frame Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 8:37 AM To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Re: To shoe or not to shoe This message is from: jen frame [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Kris! I am so excited to hear that you got Renegades! Please DO let me know, either off-list ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) or on-list how the Renegades work for you. I won't be able to have a Certified Natural Trimmer come fit them. Do you think I'll be able to fit them myself the first time? Or can a regular farrier who does barefoot trimming fit them? I love the colors they come in, but I was thinking of getting black for my Fjord so they'll match her harness when I drive her. jen On 6/18/08, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I will keep you posted about the Renegades and can send pictures off the list if you are interested. Happy trails! Kris in NC with Monark, Kasper and Clyde Off to Fjordfest on Sunday, where we can drone on and on about our beloved Fjords and no one will mind! **Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut000507) The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: To shoe or not to shoe...
This message is from: Don Brackett [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Jen, I like them. They are easy to put on, stay on well in mud or rocky trails. They are a bit bulky, but the horses don't seem to mind at all. I LOVE it when I don't have to use anything but it just doesn't always work. The old macs are easy enough to put on that I can stick them in the saddle bag and pop them on during a trail ride if I'm someplace new and don't know if the horses will need them. I have a paint with navicular that Loves his old macs. He wears them for even tiny rides with the thick comfort pads in. Otherwise he is miserable. The Fjords wear them only occasionally when needed and our little appaloosa with crappy toes wears shoes once the ground hardens up (July - Oct.) and Old macs for trail rides the rest of the year. The epics use a neoprene gaiter that works well for dry trails. But here in Me, there is a lot of mud and neoprene when wet stretches, then the little grit in the mud works it's way under the neoprene and acts like sandpaper on the heel bulbs. Not comfy. The old macs fit a bit looser on the heel and mud and debris just falls out so there is no rubbing. The pads also help to customize the fit, raising or lowering the heel to fit well. Buying used and trying different types would be great, I think you'll just have to try whatever seems best and go from there. Different hoof shapes and way of going will make a difference. Ask you farrier for his/her advice. Sometimes just regular shoes does seem to work best, I know we really tried to keep our app barefoot but he just needs those shoes to be comfortable even in the pasture when it's hard. Good luck. Jane Jane, Do you LOVE the Old Macs, or have you just found a way to deal with putting them on? Jen The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: To shoe or not to shoe...
This message is from: jen frame [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks Jane--I really appreciate hearing your experiences with the Old Macs. jen On 6/18/08, Don Brackett [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: Don Brackett [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Jen, I like them. They are easy to put on, stay on well in mud or rocky trails. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: To shoe or not to shoe...
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] We don't live in an extreme terrain, but my barn owner thought it was easier to put down rocks on all of the roads surrounding the barn and for access to our trails. So while my ponies are in a comfy 2 acre dry lot most of the time, we have to cross rocks to get anywhere else. I figure I am asking them to work less than 10% of their time, and the inconvenience of my putting on hoof boots is one I'm willing to put up with. We are currently in the process of changing our hoof boots. Della can wear BOA's which are not really difficult to put on. Joe wears Old Macs because they are the only ones with a shape round enough to accommodate his hoof. We are trying out some Renegades for Della (hopefully they get here today), which are supposed to be easier to use, and cause less of an issue with rubbing since they sit below the hairline. The Old Macs are really a pain to use, but we're waiting for Renegade to make a model big enough for Joe (he is such a stud). Kate with Joe and Della ** In a message dated 6/16/2008 10:32:53 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I have a bit of a dilemma. I am really having to consider whether or not I want to shoe my gelding. **Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut000507) The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: To shoe or not to shoe...
This message is from: Lola Lahr [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Kelly- A friend of mine and I both have barefoot fjords, and use boots. They are great. My advice would be to Google Pete Ramey's website and read his articles. He is a farrier by trade, and a famous expert in hoofs and hoof care, who has a string of barefoot horses that he uses for tourists to ride on the mountain trails (very very rocky!) at his home in Georgia He got most of them free because they had major foot problems. Also check Easy Care's website and read the articles about natural hoof care. I use the Easy Boot Epics, usually just on the fronts, but sometimes on all four feet when riding in rough, muddy and/or rocky terrain. I have seen shod horses lose their shoes, slip and slide on the rocks, getting cut and scraped, etc., and my horse, in her boots, just walks right on through. If it is really rough, you can get foam pads to put inside the boots for more cushioning. Once you put the boots on a couple of times it gets to be really quick and easy. On Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 7:28 PM, Kelly Trirogoff [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: Kelly Trirogoff [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello list; I have a bit of a dilemma. I am really having to consider whether or not I want to shoe my gelding. The ground where I live is unreasonably rocky and he still seems to be tender tootsied. He can tolerate walking on the rocky ground, but he seeks out softer spots and he is reluctant to do much more then a walk/ short strided trot. I live up a mountain with a dry, hottish, rocky terrain. The boys spend most of their time in a dry lot that is mostly sand (with some trees for shelter) Skovy does ok on our outings, but I just wonder whether he would go better with front shoes. Will his foot become tough enough over time? A few of my neighbors that have horses have warned me about him getting a stone bruise. How many of you here do extreme trail riding with and without shoes? I hesitate to put them on him as I worry once they are on, they can't come off. I trail ride several times a week for an hour and a half to two hours at a time. If some of the people that use their fjords for combined driving or eventing could let me know how their fjords do with being shoed vs. unshoed Are the shoes going to make him more slippery on some of the rocky terrain?? What about horse boots. I know some of you use them, and are they really convenient to put on? I guess they depend on the shape of the horses foot too. I have found that the general shape/area of Skovy's foot has changed as I have had to change farriers several times. Just wondering what some of you do, as I know that some of you must live in more extreme areas then this. Just hanging out at the crossroads until I make up my mind... Feel free to p.m. me and let me know your opinions CheersKelly _ Find hidden words, unscramble celebrity names, or try the ultimate crossword puzzle with Live Search Games. Play now! http://g.msn.ca/ca55/212 The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: To shoe or not to shoe...
This message is from: shawna smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] Just want to chime in here, as a shod riding friend of Lola's. The Epic boots that Lola and friend Pam use definitely work very well. I will be going with boots for my young gelding this summer and most likely with my mare as well this winter. She's had shoes on continuously for 3 years and her feet are great, but with higher fuel costs, I doubt I'll be riding quite as much this next winter and the boots seem like a good choice. Another friend I ride with in steep, muddy, rocky terrain uses the old mac G2's and loves them. The boots all seem to provide better traction on rocks and slick muddy hills than shoes do. At least in our group, it's always my mare leaving the most skid marks on slick hills; not the booted hooves!! Shawna in OR - From: Lola Lahr [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 7:47 AM To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Re: To shoe or not to shoe... This message is from: Lola Lahr [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Kelly- A friend of mine and I both have barefoot fjords, and use boots. They are great. I use the Easy Boot Epics, usually just on the fronts, but sometimes on all four feet when riding in rough, muddy and/or rocky terrain. I have seen shod horses lose their shoes, slip and slide on the rocks, getting cut and scraped, etc., and my horse, in her boots, just walks right on through. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
RE: To shoe or not to shoe...
This message is from: Gail Russell [EMAIL PROTECTED] I would not shoe if he is OK in his drylot. EasyCare Epics (new version) with the Easy-Up Buckles are pretty easy to use, especially after they have been broken in a bit. At this point, I would not put shoes back on my horses, even though most of them do need to be booted on rough terrain. Once you get the hang of it they are not all that hard to use. The upside of boots is that they have very good traction. Gail The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: To shoe or not to shoe-question!
This message is from: Jean Ernest [EMAIL PROTECTED] When my Farrier trims a hoof to stay barefoot he only uses the hoof knife to remove shedding sole and to find where to start his cut with the nippers. He doesn't pare any sole out that is not shedding but leaves as much as possible, and does not try to dome the sole at all. He will not trim short in the fall, when the ground freezes, or when the weather is going to get very cold. He says that farriers in the lower 48, especially the warmer state like California, etc. have no idea how to care for hooves in this climate. The hooves grow very little if at all between October and February, with a growth spurt in the spring. He has been doing my Fjords for 17 years and I have never had a lame horse due to feet since he started with them. Jean in Failrabanks, Alaska, breezy and coudy. Hee hee. Hoof knife, on barefoot Fjords? Their feet are like bricks and nearly break the knives. You can't go wrong removing shedding sole - Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: To shoe or not to shoe-question!
This message is from: Skeels, Mark A (MED) [EMAIL PROTECTED] I agree with you Brigid. I got a new, fancy hoof knife this year as for some reason I couldn't get mine sharp enough, thought it was my sharpening techniques. When my knife was new attending the college course on hoof trimming, it cut a lot easier, on those quarter horses and arabians. The professional farrier said he sharpens his knife about every 8 horses. He said my new knife should be good and sharp, spent about 25 bucks for this one, real nice curved polished blade. My other one is a cheapy 12 dollar model. The new one doesn't seem any sharper than my old one. Like cutting iron wood, these Fjords are. I guess I never have experienced peeling off the shedding sole with the hoof pick, is this a condition the hoofs get in after those extended trims ;-O Mine should have by now, if I wait too long a couple horses start to crack. My mare Elli has real nice feet though. She paws quite a bit and seems I never have to really trim her much. Just a little rasp now and then. A couple other horses will grow out real long if I don't keep up on it. Mark In a message dated 6/8/2004 10:57:28 AM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: So...are you using a rasp and a grinderand no hoof knife? The thing that keeps me from doing feet (aside from sloth) is fear of the hoof knife. Hee hee. Hoof knife, on barefoot Fjords? Their feet are like bricks and nearly break the knives. You can't go wrong removing shedding sole -- I just lift it up with the hoof pick and peel it off, or use the nippers to grab and peel it off. The only time the hoof knife works is if it's been raining and the horses have been standing in mud for 24-48 hours. Brigid
Re: To shoe or not to shoe-question!
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 6/8/2004 10:57:28 AM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: So...are you using a rasp and a grinderand no hoof knife? The thing that keeps me from doing feet (aside from sloth) is fear of the hoof knife. Hee hee. Hoof knife, on barefoot Fjords? Their feet are like bricks and nearly break the knives. You can't go wrong removing shedding sole -- I just lift it up with the hoof pick and peel it off, or use the nippers to grab and peel it off. The only time the hoof knife works is if it's been raining and the horses have been standing in mud for 24-48 hours. Brigid
RE: To shoe or not to shoe-question!
This message is from: Gail Russell [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Brigid, So...are you using a rasp and a grinderand no hoof knife? The thing that keeps me from doing feet (aside from sloth) is fear of the hoof knife. This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] He is more comfortable with hooves a little longer, especially in the heel -- if I rasp as far as I would with Rafael, I will see pink On the other hand, when I trim Shannon the Thoroughbred (belongs to Dagrun, in clicker training boot camp with me :-) I have to grind her feet down to nubs or she develops cracks
Re: To shoe or not to shoe
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 6/7/2004 9:16:11 AM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: even quoted a person that stated they refused to ride a shod horse! ... I guess they'd never do much riding here in central Oregon! With the abrasive volcanic sand soil and the more than plentiful volcanic rock, shoeing is pretty much a must around here if you are going to do more than putz around your pasture or arena. 10 or 15 minutes on a trail around here can chew a horse's hooves up pretty badly. We shoe during the summer months, and let them go barefoot over winter when they are not used much. Amy Amy Evers Dun Lookin' Fjords Redmond, OR Fjord [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: To shoe or not to shoe-question!
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 6/7/2004 9:43:50 PM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: But in this case it seems like we have to have shoes on him. Any suggestions otherwise? ** Hi Rondi- As Karen and others mentioned, your horses might need some kind of protection for riding in your area. However, many horses are sore because of improper trimming. Improper means something different to each horse. Some need more sole, less sole, more heel, less heel, you get the picture. After bad experiences with farriers either not showing up, showing up late and/or drunk, putting the moves on me, and doing a rotten job on the hooves, I started studying trimming and doing it myself. I now trim for about a dozen other people. The great thing about doing your own horses is you can work gradually and experiment, taking off a little here and there and waiting a day to observe soundness. Hooves that can walk (or trot!) with confidence over rocks are not easy to achieve. I need to trim Rafael's feet frequently and gradually, as any sudden change will make him quite sensitive. His most sensitive time is in the Spring, where a combination of seasonal changes and rain allow the entire dead sole to peel off like a scab, leaving a nice healthy live sole which takes up to a week to toughen up. That's when I use the boots. Knute, on the other hand, is very insensitive and has never taken a bad step. He is more comfortable with hooves a little longer, especially in the heel -- if I rasp as far as I would with Rafael, I will see pink. Nora, Dagrun's Thoroughbred, needs hooves longer than I would prefer to leave. If I trim to where I think I should, she is very sore. She also has deformities from years of moving crooked, and I have to respect these -- if I try to correct the angles she becomes quite lame. On the other hand, when I trim Shannon the Thoroughbred (belongs to Dagrun, in clic ker training boot camp with me :-) I have to grind her feet down to nubs or she develops cracks. With very short, rock hard feet, she moves well over most types of ground. / )_~ /L/L Brigid Wasson SF Bay Area, CA www.Brigid.Clickryder.com
Re: To shoe or not to shoe-question!
This message is from: Jean Ernest [EMAIL PROTECTED] OK, I think it is great if you can go shoeless! BUT it is NOT a sin to put shoes on your horse if needed! Let's be practical , not fanatical. I keep winter shoes on my 29 year old gelding so that he has traction to get up and down and does not get snow balls in his feet as rolling around on ice balls is very hard on his joints and balance. I put very light titanium shoes on my big gelding in the summer because he has flat feet and gets ouchy. My two mares go barefoot..I am hopeful that my young mare will never need shoes..but If I ride her in the winter I will probably want winter shoes and pads. Boots don't work here in the winter. Too cold. Different horses, different situations. Jean in warm and muggy Fairbanks, Alaska, 80's again today I don't know what to think, as there are so many rocks where we live. I have never seen so many rocks and the dirt roads we live on has tons of rocks on them. Hard on our cars too. But in this case it seems like we have to have shoes on him. Any suggestions otherwise? Rondi. Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: To shoe or not to shoe-question!
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] OK, my 12 year old gelding had shoes on all four feet when we bought him. We tried him without shoes when we lived further south in California, and he got real sore. We then put shoes on the front only. We then moved further north of L.A.up in the mountains, but there are tons of rocks here. We tried barefoot again, - for a long time - again, he was limping and hurting. Back to front shoes, and when we rode him in the mountains he did not do good, so the farrier suggested we do all four feet. And that is where we are at. I don't know what to think, as there are so many rocks where we live. I have never seen so many rocks and the dirt roads we live on has tons of rocks on them. Hard on our cars too. But in this case it seems like we have to have shoes on him. Any suggestions otherwise? Rondi.
Re: To shoe or not to shoe
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 6/7/2004 12:09:39 PM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hi again. I asked about someone who mentioned that one horse boot maker will make them to size and have not heard anything. www.horsneaker.com / )_~ /L/L Brigid Wasson SF Bay Area, CA www.Brigid.Clickryder.com
Re: To shoe or not to shoe
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 6/7/2004 8:49:32 AM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: one even quoted a person that stated they refused to ride a shod horse! ...so you brought up an interesting study and I thank you. At the price of a shod horse it was hard for me to believe that anyone would needlessly shoe one, but I guess that's not the case. ** I feel the same way! After riding primarily barefoot, pasture living horses, going for a trail ride on a shod, stalled horse is a bit scary! They don't know where to put their feet and can't feel much when they do. They also slip and slide which doesn't happen barefoot (talking about non-icy conditions here). Most people take good care of their horses and spare no expense. It's a psychological phenomena that we feel the more expensive commodity is the more valuable. Some owners might feel that horses living in pastures without shoes, blankets, grain, etc. are neglected. / )_~ /L/L Brigid Wasson SF Bay Area, CA www.Brigid.Clickryder.com
Re: To shoe or not to shoe
This message is from: Ruth Bushnell [EMAIL PROTECTED] ** This weekend I met an interesting man, my client's farrier. .. He said his horses back home were always barefoot Brigid Brigid, since our first discussion on unshod vs shod horses, I've done a bit of research on the Internet (wanting something more substantial than froth = and I did discover a great many sites that are pro-barefoot... one even quoted a person that stated they refused to ride a shod horse! ...so you brought up an interesting study and I thank you. At the price of a shod horse it was hard for me to believe that anyone would needlessly shoe one, but I guess that's not the case. Before we put the subject to rest I might also mention that we remove them in frigid weather also (knowing how cold metal can feel). Ruthie, nw mt
Re: To shoe or not to shoe
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 6/7/2004 8:14:10 AM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I agree with Brigid that one should not assume all horses need shoes but I do believe that sometimes they will and sometimes they won't. It is a decision dictated by an individual's current health and physical circumstances. ** This weekend I met an interesting man, my client's farrier. He is from Pakistan and is very much into Arabs and endurance. He promotes barefoot and, when people insist on shoes, he uses the natural balance. He said his horses back home were always barefoot and did very long rides through the desert just fine; however, his American Arabs get sore on the rockier 50-100 milers. His solution is to shoe just for the day of the competition, then remove the shoes right away (he made a gesture to show how fast the shoe would be pulled off)! I guess this is a good idea when boots are not practical or not allowed. Fortunately the technology is improving on the boots, so it's almost possible for them to stay on all day. / )_~ /L/L Brigid Wasson SF Bay Area, CA www.Brigid.Clickryder.com
Re: To shoe or not to shoe
This message is from: Cathey Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks Bonnie! I have to say that I'm a little partial though :) This past weekend he was halter broke. I'm glad you liked my site. I had yours already bookmarked and will visit often :) Thanks again, Cathey -- * Cathey Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/1218/ http://www2.crosswinds.net/~chinbit/index.html B. Hendricks wrote: This message is from: B. Hendricks [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Cathey: Wow, Little Thor is awesome! Really nice web site. I bookmarked it so I can go back and ponder it all. Just got back into town after being gone three days - I had to go down to Redding, CA to see my grandson get married. Wow, it is HOT in Redding!! 113 yesterday, and today I fled home! A, S.W. Oregon's 100 degrees felt pretty good! Bonnie Please visit my web sites: Commissioned Horse Portraits, Oil Paintings, Prints, Books http://www.hendricksgallery.com and http://members.xoom.com/BHendricks/Gallery1.html
Re: To shoe or not to shoe
This message is from: B. Hendricks [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Cathey: Wow, Little Thor is awesome! Really nice web site. I bookmarked it so I can go back and ponder it all. Just got back into town after being gone three days - I had to go down to Redding, CA to see my grandson get married. Wow, it is HOT in Redding!! 113 yesterday, and today I fled home! A, S.W. Oregon's 100 degrees felt pretty good! Bonnie Please visit my web sites: Commissioned Horse Portraits, Oil Paintings, Prints, Books http://www.hendricksgallery.com and http://members.xoom.com/BHendricks/Gallery1.html
Re: To shoe or not to shoe
This message is from: B. Hendricks [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi: Do the Fjords normally have good, tough feet? It seems like they would, considering their origins, etc. They look like really tough animals. Bonnie Please visit my web sites: Commissioned Horse Portraits, Oil Paintings, Prints, Books http://www.hendricksgallery.com and http://members.xoom.com/BHendricks/Gallery1.html - Original Message - From: Denise Delgado [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, July 09, 1999 8:02 PM Subject: Re: To shoe or not to shoe This message is from: Denise Delgado [EMAIL PROTECTED] dear cathey, i don't shoe either of my boys and they do fine trailing in dry rocky terrrain. they also get their share of sandy arena and round pen work without a problem. trimming is all they need. denise in northern calif. foothills. - Original Message - From: Cathey Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, July 09, 1999 11:51 AM Subject: To shoe or not to shoe
Re: To shoe or not to shoe
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I, too, was in a quandry on whether to shoe or not to shoe. I drive on ag lime/fine gravel roads, in the parks which is mostly hard packed dirt and grass, and the road occasionally (blacktop). Because the roads wore away his hoof so quickly, I opted for shoes only in the summer months. I figured I'd rather be safe than sorry. Worrying is something I'm really good at, so instead of worrying everytime I went out, I felt it was worth the money to make sure the drive was enjoyable with no worry! It did take him a few weeks to get used to the shoes. He kept clicking his front shoe with the front of his back shoe, at first. Now, he keeps himself up more and only does it when he gets tired at the end of a drive. My farrier rolls up the front hoof just slightly to make him break a little earlier. When winter comes, I pull his shoes and we sleigh in the snow, shoe-free. That's my experience -- hope it helps! Susan in Minnesota
Re: To shoe or not to shoe
This message is from: Marsha Jo Hannah [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cathey Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I was wondering how many of you shoe and don't shoe your Fjords in the summer. [...] Eventually (when he's old enough), I will be using him on trail rides and driving him as well. Our landscape can get pretty dry out here in the summer and that means a lot of rocks sometimes. I keep my Fjords shod year-round. Most of our riding is on gravel roads, not to mention my gravelled corrals, which wear their feet away faster than they can grow hoof. (Driving on pavement would do the same.) The few times I've tried leaving them barefoot, they've ouched around, telling me that they NEEDED shoes. OTOH, each of my 3 came in with shoes on (or nail marks where shoes had recently been removed), and each from climates where it rains in the summer (we get no rain May thru October most years, and our clay ground hardens to concrete). It is possible that, if I had let them adjust long enough, they might be able to go without shoes. My donkey, who was raised in my climate, has never been shod, grows hoof at just the right rate, and isn't ouchy, even on coarse gravel. In your position, I would probably try keeping Thor shoeless for a while longer. If he seems ouchy when you start working him, then reassess. Once they've had shoes, it can be difficult to wean them back off of having foot protection---a friend who retired her eventing horse said it was a year before he acted comfortable, barefoot. (For short-term things, like an occasional ride or drive on pavement, Easy Boots might provide appropriate extra protection and traction.) Marsha Jo HannahMurphy must have been a horseman-- [EMAIL PROTECTED] anything that can go wrong, will! 30 mi SSE of San Francisco, Calif. ---
Re: To shoe or not to shoe
This message is from: Jean Gayle [EMAIL PROTECTED] I think your horse will answer the question for you. Mine was a cripple with out shoes. He would search everywhere for soft footing. Yet he had excellent hooves, thin sole tho. Jean Jean Gayle Aberdeen, WA [Authoress of The Colonel's Daughter ] http://www.techline.com/~jgayle -Original Message- From: Denise Delgado [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Friday, July 09, 1999 1:03 PM Subject: Re: To shoe or not to shoe This message is from: Denise Delgado [EMAIL PROTECTED] dear cathey, i don't shoe either of my boys and they do fine trailing in
Re: To shoe or not to shoe
This message is from: Denise Delgado [EMAIL PROTECTED] dear cathey, i don't shoe either of my boys and they do fine trailing in dry rocky terrrain. they also get their share of sandy arena and round pen work without a problem. trimming is all they need. denise in northern calif. foothills. - Original Message - From: Cathey Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, July 09, 1999 11:51 AM Subject: To shoe or not to shoe This message is from: Cathey Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi all! I was wondering how many of you shoe and don't shoe your Fjords in the summer. The breeder I got Thor from does not shoe his herd in the summer, only in the winter (with corks). It looks like their feet are tough and they look much tougher than my Apps but I'm just curious as to what others do. Eventually (when he's old enough), I will be using him on trail rides and driving him as well. Our landscape can get pretty dry out here in the summer and that means a lot of rocks sometimes. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. BTW, you can check out Thor's new pictures at http://www2.crosswinds.net/~chinbit/Page11.htm. I hope you enjoy :) Cathey -- * Cathey Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/1218/ http://www2.crosswinds.net/~chinbit/index.html
