| Author | Message | ||
     Laura Middlemiss |
well I chose boa boots this time although I would also consider the old macs / now G2 I think. I have not had them very long, only a few months and we are not doing much out on the road at the mo .... the fit seems very good and no straps to rub like on some boots, they grip snugly all round the hoof. .. and thank you to mike who kindly anticipated a request for a reminder of my password :-) | ||
| Maggy Barber |
That is very encouraging - thank you. Do you recommend any particular boot? | ||
| Guest |
oh but that silence will eventually be replaced Maggy ...... Taz's feet as so hard now they are almost as loud as shod horses ... different sound for sure. re comeptitive stuff... no one has questioned it officially although some have noticed and asked if she manages roadwork Ok. In le trec you can have a fair whack of roadwork so it would not surprise me if I was asked at any time there ...... but I take boots if I think she needs othem - and at least we wouldnt have to pull out for losing a shoe ! good luck with the process ........ we have had the professional assistance of a lovely farrier and now he has retied a barefoot trimmer. I just rasp occasionally if need be but she has not needed much doing at all, she mainly self trims and its the frogs that get tidied up. Laura | ||
| Maggy Barber |
I look forward to this article in CD. My pony is now without shoes - and he has not noticed it yet! Drove him out one day after my normal farrier (clued up) removed his shoes and trimmed his feet. I noticed no difference at all in his way of going - the silence was deafening! However, I think Toby does have very good feet, which helps... | ||
| Guest |
my horse has been barefoot for 7 years and driven for several of those years. It is only last year and over the winter when she is on hard standing that we have needed to put boots on. We do most of our driving ( and riding) on the roads as there is little choice around here and ( touch wood) we have never had any problems. Hopefully there will be an article soon on this very topic in carriage driving mag - a barefoot trimmer who drives her heavy horses barefoot has written it. Keep your eyes peeled LOL laura middlemiss (forgotten her password !!!) | ||
| Guest |
I had my pony barefoot for several years. She rode with no problems, drove in the fields with no problems, and could go for quiet or short drives on the road with no problems. For more substantial drives she wore a set of Old Macs, which were brilliant. I didn't compete, but did drive 2-3 hours at a time in the boots, and her feet were fabulous. Rosie | ||
| Janet Pilling |
You could always use boots to help with hoof growth until things balance out. I do feel marathons would be difficult on barefoot horses, however many endurance riders compete barefoot at quite high levels. There are a lot of websites on the subject but I don't know any barefoot drivers. | ||
| Maggy Barber |
Thanks, Naomi Most helpful! I have been in touch with Lucinda McAlpine who advocates barefooting most strongly but she could not comment on driving horses. m | ||
| Naomi Harbach |
My driving pony was ridden and driven barefoot for a year. We competed both indoors and outdoors in 2 day events and didn't have any problems. My pony had very tough feet when we bought her and didn't want to put shoes on unnecessarily, this was advice from my vet also. She lasted very well until April this year when her hoof was wearing away quicker than it could grow back so she now has shoes on, which she is fine with. If the balance is right and the feet are in good condition it is great for your horse, no holes drilled in their foot so less risk of infection and good grip for them on the road etc as no metal to slip. The feet tend to chip away naturally so a trim / file round is only needed. If you wanted to know more two people who compete using barefoot are Horses first racing in wiltshire and also Lucinda McAlpine dressage rider in Devon. Hope that helps Naomi. | ||
| Maggy Barber |
I am quite interested in the concept of 'barefoot' horses... Has anyone used this method of hoof management for a driving horse? Would a horse be permitted to enter competitions etc without shoes?? All information gratefully received. maggy.barber@ZZZgmail.com - pls remove 'ZZZ' when contacting. |