RE: horseshoes

["Steph Teeter" <step@fsr.com>]

Valerie,

I've tried lots of shock absorbing pads - and do believe
they offer some relief, but I also believe the long term
affect of padding a horse's feet are not good. The soles
become soft and some horses are prone to bacterial growth.
Plus if you ever do lose a shoe during a ride, and your
horse has been padded, then you have a very soft foot
which won't take long to bruise on a rocky course.
I think for periodic foot protection using easyboots
is best. Train without pads, and use easyboots if you
anticipate a rocky ride.

Unfortunately I have a horse that can't wear easyboots
- his feet are too large/round for a size 2, but not big
enough to keep a size 3 on. Rather than pad him I use
the Equithotics shoe - a large bagel shaped polyurethane
covered shoe. It protects the sole as well as a pad,
but doesn't soften the sole, and doesn't create the
wet moist environment that thrush likes. Plus they
provide a lot of shock absorption. The only hitch
is getting a farrier to learn how to put them on.
They're not difficult, just different - you cut and
rasp them to fit the foot rather than the traditional
shaping. Plus they're a little pricey - $45 for a pair.
I can usually get two settings out of a pair, so
the price isn't too bad in the long run. They have
a website at http://www.equithotics.com if you're
interested.

Steph Teeter
www.endurance.net
www.horse-shop.com


-----Original Message-----
From: guest@endurance.net [mailto:guest@endurance.net]
Sent: Monday, May 10, 1999 9:18 PM
To: ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: RC: horseshoes


ValerieBentley wmbentley@snet.net
hello,
Can anyone recommend a good performance shoe for my horse, I am interested
in competitive trail riding and I want my horse to be shod in comfortable,
durable,shock absorbinh shoes.  Any help is appreciated.


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Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=