I don’t believe that I’m the only one who read
your post in the spirit it was meant. You pointed out the many reasons many horse
owners would have a difficult time with barefoot horses. I love the bare hoof,
but still end up with shoes on my daughter’s horse so we don’t have
2 sets of boots to deal with. I also don’t recommend barefoot to my
friends unless they are having a problem that is clearly a shoeing problem AND
(very big AND) they have the time and inclination to be dealing with booting or
whatever else it takes to make the horse happy barefoot.
No, it certainly is not for all horses, not for all horse
owners, and especially difficult for horse owners that have to board with
little turnout. And you are so right, that living condition greatly affect hoof
health. Yesterday I received a call regarding a 3 yr old that can barely walk,
barefoot all her life, but on irrigated pasture, described as always having
long toe problems, hoof is overgrown most of the time as the owner doesn’t
rasp herself between farrier visits, and has wall chipping and splits that have
now progressed up to the coronary, along with a possible abscess! I suggested
the first step is to turn off the irrigation! Oh, I forgot to mention the
horse has thrush as well.
Yes, endurance riders generally know more about horse
health, nutrition, first aid, etc, than the average horse owner, at least in my
limited experience, and I didn’t take it personally when you were
describing how some horses have to live their lives. I thank God and my
wonderful husband every day that my horses have room to roam.
So go ride, Terry, but know that your posts are understood
and appreciated.
