RE: FW: conditioning effects

["Bob Morris" <bobmorris@rmci.net>]

As far as we are concerned with the feet of the endurance horse it is all
for the better to have a bit of time with out shoes. We do it in the winter.
We have found that it is best to remove the last set of shoes, round the
edges of the hoof and let the horse grow them out.

What happens is the quarters will break out if the hoof gets to long and
this we have found is very good for the hoof. It then grows back with out
the restraints of the shoe, grows in a more natural shape and also grows
back stronger. We hear all about how people are worried when the hoof gets
broken off and it is ragged, this is natural for the hoof. It relieves
stresses that a re not natural and the hoof that replaces the broken out
portion grows in properly with much less induced stress. This is what being
barefooted means.

I will again enter my normal caveat; these are horses that are outside all
the time, not standing in wet manure and bedding. They are in rough ground
and all kinds of weather. They are ridden barefoot in the spring until just
before they end up with bloody stumps. (well, not quite that short)The hoof
length ends up about 3.25 to 3.50 inches. We then shoe to the angles that
have been produced by the horse.

Bob Morris

-----Original Message-----
From: Tivers@aol.com [mailto:Tivers@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2000 3:21 PM
To: Kenzie_Kelly@spc.com; ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: RC: FW: conditioning effects


In a message dated 2/10/00 2:05:55 PM Pacific Standard Time,
Kenzie_Kelly@spc.com writes:

<< I'm interested in this.  So, if I take my horse's shoes off, since he
 has "normal" feet, this should be better for him than keeping him
 shod?  Maggie, help me out here...  Should I try to go barefoot
 because it is better, or just follow the shoe route because that's
 what everyone does?  How do you know if your horse is better off
 barefoot if he's never been that way (in your care, under saddle,
 being worked)?  Would you have to protect with easyboots for a while,
 or just go cold-turkey and cut back on exercise, slowly working up to
 shod levels?

      Kenzie & Zane >>


You're horse probably won't be better off barefoot immediately. The hoof
wall
will have to toughen, as will, probably the sole. So, don't do this in the
middle of the competitive season, but during the rebuilding phase.

ti


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