[RC] What Shoes Do - Karen StandeferShoes do several things. The main thing they do is to protect the hoof wall and sole in the front of the hoof from excessive wear. Excessive wear in that area could cause the coffin bone to become damaged from too much concussion from thin soles. Another main function is to sort of "cast" a weak hoof so that it doesn't give so much. A weak hoof is usually not comfortable on hard, concussive or uneven (rocky) ground. A shoe makes it more rigid and much more comfortable for the horse. And, then, of course the shoe also adds traction when needed, or slide when needed and also a means to add support for the coffin joint through pads, packing, frog support pads, etc. for hooves that are in need of such. Karen Referenced Post: I am amazed that people think cutting away the sole of the hoof and putting on a 1/4 inche think piece of metal is 'real protection'. That does help with chipping around the edge of the hoof wall tho but then there are the nail holes to deal with as well as more build up of 'gunk' in the crevices leading to more daily hoof care than on a barefoot pasture horse. No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.2/891 - Release Date: 7/8/2007 6:32 PM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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