I also will agree that it is not always the
"hoofwear" or lack there of that causes slipping or lack of slipping. I had an
Arab gelding that I also drove to the carriage. We would trot all around the
streets of our So. CA neighborhood, on all types of pavement, concrete, up and
down some fairly steep hills, what ever we came across, and he would never
slip. He wore standard steel shoes, I think St. Croix Eventers. My other
gelding, who was barefoot at the time could hardly walk 1/2 a block on the same
streets without about falling. Feet went every which way. One was SO sure
footed, had been shod all his life, and was a mid to late teen when we started
driving. The other just was not the best on his feet. He slipped shod, or
barefoot. It may make a difference on some horses, but not "all" shod
horses slip more, and not "all" barefoot horses are more sure
footed....
