Re: tripping

[Maggie Mieske <mmieske@netonecom.net>]

Though I am sure this will start a flood of controversy and differing opinions, I am
curious for a couple of reasons to find out how distance riders trim/shoe their
horses...  For one, I am riding endurance and I want my horse to stay sound (which I
admit he has thanks to my wizard farrier/husband) and two, because we see so MANY
chopped off heels on horses (not endurance horses!) out there (is this the new
"natural/4 point trim" that is becoming so popular?).  I should clarify that my horse
has low angles and we are trimming/shoeing/feeding to build up his hoof and angles...
he is a stumbler (mostly because he's lazy and especially if he's "following" other
horses- on his own he can bull his way through downed branches, rocks, trees, you name
it and never miss a beat!).  Our distance riding friends have agreed with our goal of
upping his angles (which now only go 50 to 52 degrees) and have suggested wedge pads
for next year to improve that angle.  I want to say that I agree with Ann's
statement...
"As far as horses go, the thing to remember is to find balance -- the TRUE
shoulder, pastern, coffin bone angles should match.... trouble is in
finding a farrier who WILL find that balance and stick with it....  Also, I
like a horse fit as full as possible in the heel area -- if the breakover
is balanced, there is little likelihood that the horse will forge....
provided the rider is in balance!!"

So, do I dare ask for thoughts and suggestions on this?  Partly to improve my horse's
performance next year and partly to help my farrier/husband in his endeavor to improve
his farriery.  Thanks!
Maggie