Re: RC: Barefoot and FOF

[Truman Prevatt <tprevatt@mindspring.com>]

The thing you need to worry about in the FOF is roots under the sand. I
know people who have come up with "stone bruses" from the roots. 0f course
since you can't see them until you hit them, it's pretty much of a crap
shoot. But you go slow it's probably a good candidate to go without hoof
protection.

Goethe may also be a good candidate since the footing is pretty good there. River Run in South GA also has pretty good footing.

Truman

Patti Pankiewicz-Fuchs wrote:

 

While we're discussing barefoot riding.......

Total newbie here, Far Out Forest will be my first ride. I'm wondering if ya'll think it's ok to go barefoot (Mercdes, not me). My farrier, who admittedly does not normally do "endurance" horses, seems to think we'll be fine. I have ridden the trails around Doe Lake, as I understand it is near FOF. What I saw was deep sand and roads very similar to what we're training on......hard packed, but very little in the way of gravel or stones.

I would prefer to keep her barefoot. I had shoes on her once and she didn't gait nearly as well as she does barefoot. Plus, when it came to gravel it didn't make much of a difference in terms of "ouchiness". I am prepared to invest in easyboots and learn about the foam....but do you think it'll really be necessary for FOF? It's our first ride so I'd like to keep things as simple as possible.....we're also planning on using our whole 6 hours. :)

Thanks!

Patti F.