for me, going barefoot is a personal > choice... I think more horses can go barefoot then are at the > moment..... I think it is easier done then one thinks is is going > to be,
I totally agree...many of our horse we shoe, we feel could go barefoot...in our farrier business we have turned many many horse owners into having a barefoot horse. We only try it if the whole picture matches up, ie. horse, feet, owners, pasture, type of riding, health of the horse...and I am sure other factors as well (its late so I might be missing something) it is not really cheaper, Very true...for a lot of horse owners it is not really cheaper...we charge $40-$50 for a barefoot trim, and sometimes they might need to be done more regular depending on many factors. I think where people really need to start is when the foal is born... lots of exercise, lots of movement, start from the get go with foals, and yes better breeding and I think barefoot will be easier from the beginning... Totally agree. Thats why we have our babies in the most natural setting we can give them, 2000 acres of pasture with hills (4000 foot elevation up to 7000 foot elevation), with a lot of room, they must move to water, they run, play, have their own social network, have older mares to give them boundaries...they have GREAT FEET! They are full bodied, strong andf have a good sense of themselves..... They get a visit each week, and love humans, but are very respectful, not pushy, curious and friendly, but yet independent... The stallion we imported has GREAT feet and bone... > > the barefoot trim is different then a typical pasture trim... and I > am not sure if people are aware of all of this, we are discussing this very subject on the barefoothorsecare list, there are many who are much better at explaining things then I am on that list... so, I welcome any of you to join it.... True.....pasture trims are just for that , the pasture...they take much less time than a proper balanced trim...of course this varies widely from farrier to farrier and barefoot trimmer to barefoot trimmer..... Skye Fire Island Eco-Treks-808-443-6085 Fire Island Professional Farrier Service-640-6080
