I can attest that when I tried the BF thing out here in Calif. we had a bit of "Calif Ice" in a few places to get to our trails. I too had heard that horses don't slip as much BF as they do shod. I always get off & walk through any "questionable" conditions first BEFORE I ride my horses through & they still slipped around on the icey patches in hand too much for my comfort levels, so we just didn't go off the property until that condition cleared. If I know we have had freeze temps with miosture, I know there may be unavoidable icey spots...so we just stay at home & do Jin Shin with some TTEAM that day. Some would say I am waaay over the top too careful with my boys, but I need to stay within my comfort levels when it comes to their safety.
Since we are thinking of moving to Bend Oregon, I wonder what people up there do when there is snow (albeit 8-10" annually)??? Anyone live there who wants to weigh in?? The few locals I have spoken too just don't ride when it gets under 35F. May not be a bad idea to give them a few months a year just turned out. I guess I'll have to see if they get bored. They are used to daily outings year round down here & stand at the gate trying to open it on their rain days off. Being an equine body worker, I have seen the impact on horses bodies that have had traction studs on for any length of time both in boots & in shoes. I don't want to have that kind of impact on my guys esp. since they are 21 this year & still sound. Kaaren
