On Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:42:51 -0600, you wrote: >I am sorry you feel I was being judgemental... she is talking about a >path that is not very far as being the only difficult part for her >horse... I don't understand putting shoes on for that amount of >riding... I was trying to be encouraging, not judgemental... I was >trying to be helpful...
I was not saying that particular bit is the only difficult bit - just that that is the bit where there is no way any sort of boots will stay on. And it's all very well to say oh well just get off and replace the boots after, but if you're a disabled rider like me, who mostly rides alone, then that's easier said than done. Plus - 75% of our rides are on tarmac roads, many of them with big hills. We live in an area which is a glacial morraine - ie lots of boulders and rocks everywhere including in the fields. We get an awful lot of rain each year. Our horses live out in large pastures 24/7. I recognise the anatomy of the foot, can trim well, but do not as I am not physically capable of it. My farrier advises me to shoe my riding horses (and he's done courses with Gene Ovnick and Pete Ramey). I have thoroughly researched barefoot trimming and keeping horses barefoot for riding. I've tried a lot of different boots. I have spent an awful lot of time and money trying to keep my ridden horses barefoot over a period of FIVE years. Then I gave up. I have owned, ridden, and bred horses for over 30 years. You do not know me, my horses, or the environment we live in, so please don't preach at me. Yep, the valium has definitely worn off. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Mic Mic (Michelle) Rushen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Solva Icelandic Horses and DeMeulenkamp Sweet Itch Rugs: www.solva-icelandics.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes"
