Ridecamp: [RC] 2 cents on barefoot

i just have to say i used to be a fan of leaving  my horses barefoot.
but then i got into issues of stone bruising, and the horses trying to walk 
at the very edge of the roads or trails, to try to find a softer spot to walk.
i guess it depends on the footing where you live.
but when i started training for  ctr's there was no way i was leaving them 
barefoot.
i wasn't going to risk hurting my horse, or having him pull up lame before a 
big event because of a stone bruise, or one of those "punctures" that they 
get in the foot, where you wonder just what the hell did they step on to do 
THAT.
have you seen the glass and other crap at the sides of roads? even in the 
state parks the roads will have those occasional glass bottles, and 
unidentified, sharp metal objects.(littering in a park should be a big fine)
I do like easy boots, but found them to be a pain. I had to keep filling and 
trimming every couple of weeks to get a good fit. then sometimes you get the 
horses that wear their feet unevenly, or just drag their toes.
I've found healthier, and better protected feet with shoes on.
Sorry, barefoot fans, I tried.

                                                                    RENE

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