On Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:37:27 -0800 (PST), you wrote: >And it would be good for the barefoot movement if the >promoters had a little more compassion and a little less judgment for >those of us who do need to put shoes on for protection.
YES!!!!! I think people also forget that the climate the horse lives in also makes a big difference. For instance in the UK where it's often wet, followed by very dry, all year round, so the feet dry out then get soaked every five minutes, combined with mud/hard ground etc etc, many horses just cannot cope with barefoot, no matter how willing the owner. And that's the view of the Farrier's Registration Council and people like laminitis expert vet Robert Eustace, not just my personal view. I get SOOOOOO fed up with barefoot evangelists in other countries telling me that all my riding horses would be fine without shoes if only I would persevere with them and so on, when I have spent literally years attempting to convert several different horses, and had no luck whatsoever, at least with front feet. I think the valium's worn off, BTW. Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes"
