On Sat, 25 Aug 2007 09:39:34 -0400, you wrote: >(i am using moisturizers on his >feet, as our sand paddock and arena are both bone-dry, and he had cracks >in his front feet before i had his shoes removed).
You're lucky to be in an area dry enough to keep him barefoot. My farrier says here in West Wales it's virtually impossible to keep any ridden horse barefoot (especially in front) as the amount of wet weather make it really hard for horse's hooves to harden up enough for them to cope. Add to that the amount of riding on tarmac roads and rocky paths most of us have to do, and it becomes even more difficult. Some of mine manage without back shoes, but so far none of them are happy barefoot all around if they are doing a reasonable amount of ridden work, much as I would like to keep them without shoes. All too soon, their hooves simply wear away and they get really ouchy and uncomfortable. I've never yet found a hoof boot that will stick on in our mud in anything faster than walk! Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes"
