Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Hi Barbara -- it all depends on the horse.  Anything a horse can slip 
on can be dangerous, and I think that often regardless of what type 
of shoes a horse has, it has to learn how to handle itself in 
different types of terrain.   My own experience has shown me that if 
my horses have easyboots on and slip, then the horses with metal 
shoes are slipping just as bad or worse.  You can't put the boots on 
and expect your horse to immediately be an expert mover in them in 
all types of footing -- but you also can't expect that if they are 
shod, or barefoot either.  I have never used the studs, because I 
figure if I actually need them it really isn't safe to ride, I don't 
like riding over ice.  I'll go out in snow though, as long as there 
is enough snow as a top layer then they can get traction without 
slipping.  There are some types of mud that are slicker than snot, 
and horses might slip in that no matter what especially if it's on 
the side of a hill or slope. I haven't used pads inside the boots 
either, the boots seem to offer plenty of protection on their own but 
if you have an already footsore horse then it might be worth 
trying.  I saw an article Pete Ramey has up on his website about the 
pads:  http://www.hoofrehab.com/bootarticle.htm   Also, some might 
find this useful, it's a chart to document your horses hoof 
measurements:  http://thehorseshoof.com/hoofmeasure.pdf  There is 
enough room in the spaces to write in angles too.  I usually check my 
horses toe lengths and angles every couple of weeks, as long as they 
stay within 1/4" inch of their average 3 1/4" toe length and 1 or 2 
degrees on their angles (varies by horse) then we don't do anything.

I did enough rides in many types of serious mud last season with the 
epics on to know that they do stay on, I never had a single one come 
off of Chief ever, for any reason -- he can't keep regular easyboots 
on, but with the gaiters they definitely stay put.

Karen

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=