>>> The silly thing is, the heavier boots certainly DO work to clear up a >>> pacey tolt - but only for a short while. The horse soon adjusts to the >>> extra weight and becomes just as pacey (we're talking minutes). Or at >>> least that's been my experience.
Yep. That's how it works. And, btw, I don't LIKE that the boots are weighted, but the truth is, I worry more about anything (including, but not especially, boots) that makes the horse move in any odd way. I've heard vets who have worked a lot with TWH and Saddlebreds say that show Saddlebreds have just as many long term lamenesses as do show TWH...and of course, TWH have a lot lameness issues. Yet, Saddlebreds don't wear shoes as heavy as do TWH - but have you ever looked at the odd angles and long toes on many Saddlebreds? Anything that makes a horse "fling" his limbs isn't good, and anything that compromises the natural angles of his joints can be bad - and that can come from rough riding, and even from a nasty misuse of a bit and/or noseband. Weighting the feet isn't good, but I hate for people to think that's the only problem we have. Oh, yeah, I seriously think the gimmicks we see with show Icelandics is much more remensisent of the show-type Saddlebreds and with the show-type TWH. And Saddlebreds have plenty of lameness issues... Karen Thomas, NC
