barefoot endurance horses

["Beth Gunn" <happyhoofprints@hotmail.com>]

Debbie,

My vet (wonderful! and irreplaceable!) Anna and I have discussed this Sooo much the past 3 yrs!!!  My attitude is:  ok, so we put "shoes", no matter what type, on feet to do what?  Protect and make Comfortable!  So, if the shoes are only on the front, where the horse puts 65% of weight AnyWay...what happens?  They put More weight there!  So shoe the Rear!  Encourage the horse to put more weight on the Rear If Shoes make her more confortable!

So the questioncontinues....oh Anna is gonna love this!

BTW, we use at least straight bars on the rear.  If sand/mud work allows, egg bars.  I have not (Knock On Wood!!!!) had any real probs.  I hope the shoeing experiments are a plus.

I have also experimented with straight bars on the front and easyboots on the rear with cushy pads inserted.  Also encourages weight on the rear.  (I hope).

Good Luck and the ??? roll on:))

Beth Gunn