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[RC] Barefoot debate - Ridecamp GuestPlease Reply to: Bruce Weary bweary@xxxxxxxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ========================================== I have done the barefoot program and at one time was sold on the purported benefits a la Strasser et al. I did see the quality of hoof improve-- hoof wall thickness, sole toughness, foot size, etc. I still had to boot up for protection on endurance rides here in the southwest, though. At the time I was ushering my wife and two pre-teen daughters down the trail. Yessir,16, count'em 16, easy boots going down the trail at the same time. Despite my best efforts, it was like driving a $500 car 80 miles per hour--you never knew when something was going to fly off. I finally got so exasperated trying to keep the boots on under all circumstances, out of practicality I returned to shoeing, and booting the fronts when extra protection was needed. The horses soundness actually improved, presumably at least in part due to the increased protection. That soundness continues today. To not do so for me would have meant an appearence on CNN as the next clock tower sniper. At least I don't pad anymore, and their soles are tougher and more cuppy. I tried everything to keep the boots on--duct tape, foaming(yuck), etc. I got so good at using easy boots, I can literally get one on or off in less than 12 seconds. (We've timed it.) I think the heat in this discussion will continue until we ask better questions about whether the premise of barefootin' and the benefits claimed by its proponents actually occur a significant amount of the time. For example, after controlling the variables, which group of horses (shod or unshod): Colic more often? Remain sound for a lifetime (and under what level of usage), Remain sound over 50 miles? Over 100 miles? 1000 miles? 10000 miles? Over rock? Over sand? Develop less arthritis? Develop less navicular? I don't think we can speak to these questions adequately without more data. Enthusiastic anecdotes don't prove anything, shod or unshod. I'm reminded of a story of a man living in New York City who, each morning would step outside his front door and clap his hands three times loudly and go back inside. After watching this for several weeks, his neighbor's curiosity got the better of him, and he asked the man why each morning he clapped his hands on his front porch. To which the man confidently replied, "It keeps the elephants out of New York City." We all care about our horses, but our relationship with them is definitely a tradeoff. We can't make their world perfect. Fortunately they have, like all living creatures, a certain ability to cope with and endure certain conditions. I am surprised someone hasn't mentioned the Pandora's box begging to be opened on the coattails of this barefoot debate. Barefoot supporters are enthusiatic presumably because they feel it is clearly better than the alternative. What then is the better alternative-- A saddled, weight bearing horse subject to potential capillary damage, muscle damage, even premature vertebral segment arthritis and eventual fusion-- or an unsaddled, unridden horse? A horse with a steel bit in it's mouth or one without? A horse that undergoes the risk and stress of trailering long distances smelling exhaust fumes or one who lives his life out safely in a pasture of knee high timothy? I for one am grateful for those who dare to commit to the barefoot program,because they are the ones who will eventually provide enough reliable information to show how and how often it works, and under what conditions. It's certainly worth exploring, but we would do well to remember that opinions, however loudly proclaimed, are not facts. Gotta go-- Law and Order is on Bruce Weary =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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