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[RC] Shoeing - Bruce Weary DCCasting good judgement to the wind, I will make a few comments about shoeing and barefoot. I have done both, extensively, and recognize each of their relative merits, so I straddle the fence a bit. Bare feet do grow better and tend to have better structure. Not all horses grow good enough feet to be used in rigorous endeavors like endurance without the help of at least boots, if not shoes, no matter how well nourished, trimmed and cared for they are.In addition, I have found that the general focus seems to be on whether the hoof wall can withstand the abrasion of the ground, or whether the sole can withstand the effects of the sharp pressure of rocks. What I rarely see discussed is the effects on the internal, mobile structures of the foot. The internal ligaments and the wings of the coffin bone, to name a couple of examples, can be damaged or fractured from traveling over rough ground with or without carrying weight. Steel shoes fortify the hoof wall and can protect from this point of view as well as preventing accelerated hoof wear and sole bruising. There can be a trade off in some horses,and with some farriers, whereby the hoof may suffer from contracted heels, slowed or abnormal growth, ringbone, etc.,. But many horses that are well shod escape these negative effects, and do thousands of miles in steel shoes. IMO, it's a matter of doing what works for each horse for the job at hand while trying to minimize any damage or risk to the horse. Going barefoot doesn't always do this, and may in some cases actually increase risk or injury. We have a very good and well-read farrier who understands the benefits of both approaches, and our horses are in varying degrees of being barefoot/booted or shod. He tells me of a study of wild mustangs that were captured and examined, and I think it was something like one-fourth to one-third of them had a history of a healed coffin bone fracture, presumably from always going barefoot over their natural terrain. That is a significant piece of information, and should be considered in evaluating under what circumstances to go barefoot, and when to shoe. I have tried going barefoot on my gelding,but he is tender footed and he doesn't do well in boots, so he is shod now. He moves freely and comfortably, and I will pull his shoes from time to time for a few weeks to let the feet relax and expand. Hopefully he can have a good career that way. It beats leaving him at home. Bruce Weary =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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