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[RC] barefoot horses - Ridecamp GuestPlease Reply to: joyce anderson farmountainjoyce@xxxxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ========================================== Reply to Olin Balch - I have been using & have competed barefoot horses for 20 years. ALL my horses train barefoot in states across the west in all types of terrain. I DO NOT pound down gravel roads and try to focus on non compacted native soils of every type. My horses average 40-60 miles a week and have fabulous feet - have never had a lame horse in competition and only lamenesses @ home from injury not related to riding. Mostly Arabs - you do have to use some care about pace & footing. I have done more 100's than 50's tho and tough rides like Bighorn & Race of Champions. Because you cannot 'pick' your footing in a competition I use FLEX STEP rubber composit horseshoes for the actual rides. Then pull them immediately after to keep my horses feet tough. A key to successful barefoot use is careful trimming as needed (not just every 6 weeks). When I get a new horse that has been shod it does take a few months for them to form the natural thick 'pad' on the bottom of the hoof and to adjust to the 'feel' of the ground. This is why I ONLY use the Flex Step shoes - if you use steel and the horse gets used to not feeling the ground - when you take the steel off - the horse will act 'barefoot.' They can still feel the ground thru the Flex Steps but with a large amount of protection that allows them to cover whatever rocks they encounter at speeds necessary to stay competitive. I also feel barefoot encourages and teaches the horse to place their feet more carefully which contributes to their long term soundness - steel shod horses all too often just slam over whatever ground they encounter which generates a lot of lateral torque which their legs & feet are not designed to accomidate. My retired endurance horse did his last two Bighorn 100's at age 17 & 18 placing 5th & 6th. He is still sound & happy at 20 - 11 1 day 100's & 1700 career miles - all training barefoot. If I can provide any additional information I would be very happy to work with you to help encourage vets, trainers, and riders consider the vast benefits of riding the barefoot horse. farmoutain@xxxxxxxxx ===========================================================When you ask a Quarter horse for something he says - Sure - and when you ask an Arab for something he says - Why? - ~ Heidi Smith ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ===========================================================
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