This is not meant as a flame. I just
couldn't resist playing devil's advocate!
Lori Cox
--- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2001 6:53
AM
Subject: RC: Re: barefoot
Actually the whole hoof expands if it has been
properly trimmed. You would be supprised to see the difference in the
shape of my mustang's foot when it is in the air and the shape of her hoof
print on the ground.
hmmmmm....never was able to get
my horse to hold her hoof in the air when in motion...how do you do
that?
My horse goes barefoot in the spring until he starts
to wear more than he is growing.
So you admit that barefoot is better for the horse?
Why not use hoof boots if you have to?
I read Maggie's remark to read
"when it is appropriate". That means when she is not asking the horse to
travel at distances at speed over rough terrain. In other words, when not
in training, conditioning or endurance ride/race season
Then he generally will get front shoes first
and hind shoes when he needs them. My only objections to going
barefoot is the idea that because horses in the wild go barefoot, all
horses should be able to go barefoot as well...what our horses go through
for us and the kind of life they live as domesticated animals is nothing
like the life they would live in the wild. The feet do not grow the
same
Do you mean the hooves grow slower? I know my Arab's
hooves grow about 2 to 3 times faster now that they are barefoot and the
hoof quality is better than ever befor! This is all because of the
increased circulation. They are also more healthy and even sweat less on
the trail!
From what I hear and read, I am
not convinced that having my horse sweat less is something I should be
wanting. If they are sweating and replenishing hydration, they are a lot
better off than not being able to expell toxins, etc.
and for most of us who don't have thousands of acres
of mountains or hills with rocks, etc.
I only have one acer, I wish I had
more.
I will take it to mean that you
have one acre. (at first I thought you were referring to a tree....smile)
One acre for three horses? Doesn't sound like a "natural" environment to
me.
the feet don't wear the same. You are
right, trimming is essential. However, not every horse can go
barefoot
Are horses born with shoes on? Did God make a
mistake somewhere?
hmmmm.....were you born
barefoot? Do you wear shoes? I sure do and I am not about to subject my
tender tootsies to the gravel roads or toss rocks around my bedroom so my
feet will get tough. Why would I do that when I can get some pretty comffy
tennies and boots? Why would I not help my horse to be as comfy as I can
make him or her (don't answer that.....I already anticipate the
answer......just playing advocate here). But I do appreciate your and
other's contributions to this isue as we all must try to learn as much as
we can about alternate methods, ideas, etc. Discussion is healthy and so
is an open mind.
Happy footin it.
Pat
just as every horse will not respond favorably to
the Strasser method or natural balance shoeing or whatever the current fad
may be. EVERY HORSE IS AN INDIVIDUAL and must be treated as
such. If you find what works for your horse, count yourself
lucky. Nelson trims and shoes a lot of problem horses for the
reasons I mentioned above...we subject them to OUR wishes and desires and
the environment in which they live. Shoes are a necessary evil
sometimes....no, they are not ideal. But if shod properly, a
horse can go many miles in comfort and safety. I would advise people
to find what works for THEIR horse (and sometimes it takes some trial and
error whether it's angles for trimming, shoeing methods or whatever) and
then stick with it. I would like to caution people about trimming
out too much sole and frog...they have a purpose. There is a
difference between trimming out EXCESS and trimming out for looks.
When people ask us about trying something new they have heard about it we
ask them WHY? If the horse has a problem, fine. We can try
something new. If it ain't broke, why try to fix it?
JMHO,
Maggie
And don't forget to read and study we owe it to our horses to try to
give them the best! :
)