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[RC] 2 Soleguard experiences - Mary HowellHello all - Last May at the Biltmore 100, the Swifts used Soleguard on their barefoot horse. The trails there are mostly packed dirt and Tom checked all 4 hooves at every hold, then re-applied more Soleguard to the fronts mid-way through. The Soleguard wore off again but Tom didn't bother reapplying - less than 20 miles remained. Their horse won; Soleguard helped him do it "barefoot." Last October, the day before the Ntl Champ 50, My friend Kathy and I had the ride farrier apply Soleguard to our already-shod horses (fronts only) as extra protection in lieu of pads. The farrier did his best to apply so the stuff would stay in - using a horseshoe nail to carve out a groove between the steel and sole all to create a "lip" before the Soleguard set, having us wait until later afternoon so no dew on the grass, and keeping the horses for still 20 minutes afterward so it could set. We rode hard the next day and I'm glad my horse had that extra protection but the Soleguard was gone from one of his hooves by the first hold and from the other hoof by the second (last) hold. Soleguard kits were given to the Top 10 NC Finishers so hopefully someone else out there will chime in about their experience. Considering one doesn't always have time or optimal conditions to reapply Soleguard mid-ride, I'd always recommend old-fashioned plastic pads or maybe EZ boots over shoes, especially for a rocky ride like the Old Dominion. Mary Howell in VA =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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