Re: RC: RE: Darolyn and Barefootin'

[Dbeverly4@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/18/2001 9:45:51 AM Pacific Standard Time, guest@endurance.net writes:


>  Following behind my horse on a rocky ride in the Cascades one
> would think he has eyes in his feet.  He looks like a rock climber
> (finding the obvious places to put his hooves for maximum traction) when
> traversing highly technical rock face trails.  He has always been good at
> working in rocks, but the change to barefoot makes an uncanny difference
> and I feel as if I'm riding a mountain goat.


What kind of endurance mileage have you got on this horse?  I think there's a big difference between riding a barefoot horse on rocks who is going slowly and picking his way through for maybe 20 or 25 miles and one who is going at a bit faster rate of speed for 50 or 100 miles.  I also don't think this debate will ever get settled -- the barefoot people are pretty set in their opinions.  I just think its hard to argue with what most of us actually SEE out on the trail with our endurance horses.  If any of you have ever heard of a horse who has competed a series of rocky 50s (say 3 of them) completely barefoot, without hoof protection, please have that rider post to the list.  The rides have to be ROCKY though -- like Silver State, or some such.

Sylvia (anybody want to see a copy of Barney's letter regarding barefoot -- again?)