Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Haven't done a ton of miles of endurance format -- life gets in the  
way. But I have done a fair amount of CTR (1000 or so miles) simply  
because it's more convenient.

I recently made the switch to a real barefoot trim simply because the  
farriers here -- I moved 2 years ago -- are seriously lacking. I  
require 4 things of any equine professional: knowledge and skill,  
customer service skills, not to put my horse in pain, and to be able  
to accommodate my schedule. (I'm more flexible than most since my  
work allows me to make my own schedule.) Notice that cost isn't  
really an issue. If the 4 conditions are met, I'll grit my teeth and  
come up with the money.

Traditional farriers (I tried 4 different ones) caused crushed heels,  
lost shoes with corresponding lost large chunks of hoof (my horse  
didn't lose shoes in the 5 years before moving), and one incredibly  
dumb trim and shoeing job. (Don't know where that guy went to farrier  
school, but it was a waste. I hear he's since quit the biz.) An  
equine podiatrist put my horse in more pain than she has ever been in  
for anything. I was very upset, but after researching I decided that  
the E.P. tried to make too much of a change at once.

The footing where I live is sand. Very conducive to keeping and  
riding a horse barefoot. So I'm going to give it a try. I plan to  
boot if the footing is vastly different from here.

Deanna

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