ridecamp@endurance.net: Re[2]: Gene Ovnicek Shoeing

Re[2]: Gene Ovnicek Shoeing

Bonnie Snodgrass (snodgrab@ncr.disa.mil)
Thu, 05 Jun 97 06:39:40 EST

Wanted to add my .02 cents worth on this on. I had my farrier switch
to St. Croix eventers for my gelding Finn. I'd used them before and
really like them. Finn is a toe stubber at the walk, travels too low
to the ground and is a bit on the fore hand. I persuaded the farrier
to remove more toe and move the shoes back on the feet (all four). It
wasn't easy to talk him into it as he just knew my horse would be
sore/lame and I would blame him. Well, yes his soles were more tender
but it will pass, but the eventers has a great wide web and cover more
of the sole. Finns movement has improved tremendously. His foot looks
wide and stubby compared to the other longer toed horses in the barn
but it works! Also the eventers ease the break over well, allowing the
horse to break over where ever it needs too, gives improved traction
over a flat steel shoe and as an added benefit shoeing with less toe
usually improves a forging problem. 'Nuff said.

Bonnie Snodgrass

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Gene Ovnicek Shoeing
Author: ridecamp@endurance.net at smtp
Date: 6/5/97 1:20 AM

TRacy: I got an email from Ed Kinney of Thorobred Shoe company that makes a
shoe of Gene's design (the World Race Plate). He emailed me to tell me that
Bernie Chapman (famous farrier) put them on a horse that almost didn't pass
his vet check for the Qatar 100 and he won...even Bernie was impressed.
The problem is that they are aluminum so you just use them as a model for
steel shoes. Have your farrier use the Eventer by St.Croix because they
already have a bevel to them.

I have done a little endurance as time allows (usually I am the one with
the stethoscope waiting for you though) and my horses have done great. It
made all the difference in the world with my guy who broke his neck as a
jousting horse. I thought his stumbling was his neck and it turns out it
was his feet (he has tiny coffin bones on xray). Once we put his breakover
back for him....the stumbling stopped and his stride lenghthened a great
deal.

Sounds like you have a great farrier...don't let him go. Check out the
farriers website at www.horseshoes.com. Trail Blazer has been running a
bunch of articles by Nancy Loving and one by me on the use of balanced
trimming in the endurance horse. You might want to check those out
too...my article on Gene's stuff was in last July's.
Kim Henneman, DVM


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