> > Jasmin, thanks for the input. Are any of the horses in your area competing > barefoot?
I don't know. It is allowed in Switzerland, but only if the horse is barefoot on all four feets. > > Is there any movement in Europe to evaluate barefoot? not that I'm aware of. As in our area you already have problem to ride a horse barefoot just for leisure riding, I don't think, professionals would risk to outwear the feet of their horses by riding barefoot. > > In Europe, with Icelandic Horse owners, how popular is manipulating gait > with shoes? it is popular to shoe the horses and it is popular to use 10mm shoes in front, if the horse tends to be pacey. As you would consider this manipulating, yes they do. Jasmin
