My gelding cannot be ridden, or even allowed to
romp at pasture, without shoes. I've tried Equi-Build, but I hate to keep
his soles covered up all the time. I'm considering having my farrier
install pads before a rocky ride and then cutting them out afterwards. We
can condition at home without the pads so long as I use Keratex Hoof Hardener on
him regularly.
I would like to condition and compete in EZ
boots over shoes. But I have two issues holding me back:
#1 We frequently do conditioning rides in
muddy conditions here in Maryland, and I'm afraid of him slipping in EZ
boots. And, of course, almost any ride I might go to could be muddy after
a lot of rain. Am I worrying unnecessarily?
#2 Several years ago I installed EasyCare
pads into boots so that the boots would not prematurely wear out at the
rim. But, with the backs of the boots cut down to the ground (a la Karen
Chaton's photos) the pads would start to curl and work their way out of the
back of the shoe. At that time I was not doing a lot of mileage, but I'd
be afraid of what the results might be now on a 50 mile ride. Is
there something I was doing wrong that caused the pads to work their way out the
back of the boots? Or would I just have to do without the pads and accept
frequent replacement of his EZ boots?
Please, no diatribes about letting him go barefoot
until his soles thicken and they becomes less sensitive. This is an
coming-15 year old horse and it's rather late in the game for that.
