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Posted on 02/24/2006 9:12:25 AM PST by HairOfTheDog
This is a horse chat thread where we share ideas, ask for input from other horsemen, and talk about our riding and horse-keeping. We have a lot of different kinds of riders and horses, and a lot to share. In the previous threads we have had a great time talking through lessons, training, horse lamenesses, illnesses and pregnancies... and always sharing pictures and stories.
I always have a link to this thread on my profile page, so if you have something to say and can't find the thread in latest posts… look for it there and wake the thread up!
I also have a ping list for horse threads that are of interest, and MissTargets will now be pinging everyone most mornings. Let MissTargets and/or me know if you would like to be on the ping list. As FreeRepublic is a political site, our politics and other issues will probably blend in…. There are many issues for horsemen that touch politics… land use, animal rights/abuse cases that make the news…. Legislation that might affect horse owners.
So... like the previous threads, this is intended as fun place to come and share stories, pictures, questions and chit-chat, unguided and unmoderated and that we come together here as friends. There are lots of ways of doing things and we all have our quirks, tricks and specialties that are neat to learn about.
Previous threads:
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - thread ONE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread TWO!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread THREE!
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FOUR
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread FIVE
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SIX
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread SEVEN
The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread! - Thread EIGHT
New folk and occasional posters, jump right in and introduce yourselves, tell us about your horses, and post pictures if you've got them!
Cool idea about the pads. We generally don't have snow around here so I've never really heard of anybody doing that, but it makes sense. In the few times that we have had snow, I have noticed that the horses do start looking like they're walking around on 6 inch clogs. I imagine that it's kinda uncomfortable for them.
I haven't watched them yet, and I should have during all these rainy days. Today it's nice out or I'd put them in now. I want to before I talk to Mark. Maybe I'll loan them to him if he's interested but doesn't know anything about it.
I'm of mixed interest in it. I don't ~want~ to know a lot about shoeing, that's why I hire a farrier. I just want my horse to have good feet. I try to learn what that means, but it seems first I have to choose a religion to believe in :~D
All those romantic images of riding in the snow really only works in hallmark cards. :~D It's like running on the beach. Looks pretty but it's a LOT of work :~D
Oil on their feet will keep it from sticking, goopy hoof treatments or vaseline.... I think it all wears off rather quickly, I've heard of people using Pam Spray because they can take it with them on a ride and hop down to spray again without it being quite so messy.
That might be a good idea. They'd probably make a whole lot more sense to him than to you because he's probably already a lot more familiar with the inner workings and mechanics of the equine foot.
...but it seems first I have to choose a religion to believe in :~D
LOL! It does seem to be a rather polarizing subject doesn't it.
Chris left, Mack and Charlie came out and we had a good discussion about these shoes. What I thought about them and what they will do, so far as what Chris said is correct. Will help with the hoof wall being pulled away from the bone, will ease break over, etc. He said my analogy was right on, the difference is like if I went on a hike wearing a pair of Keds, vs. Nike's. Regular shoes are like keds, these are nikes.
Frog, he did raise a question that I hadn't caught on any of the sites I've been reading. He said you only put them on the front????? Is that right??? I was ready to pay to have them all around but he said no one does that????
I had planned on telling him not to trim the frog, but he did it before I remembered too. What do you think about trimming the frog??? I really believe it's done just for looks????
Becky
Well, they look pretty good to me, for whatever I know ;~D
What's interesting to me is that Cyn's foot is naturally sortof square in the front, like those shoes are.
I find it amazing that everyone says that a barefoot horse's foot will be squared off like that. How/why in the world did the traditional shoeing develop how it did then???
Becky
I'm back and things are looking pretty good. Tuffy is moving well so I am cautiously optimistic. He has on aluminum shoes with a low wedge heel and a pour in pad. The vets were really happy with how he looked, too. I'll post pics when my computer is back up and running.
Race season started last weekend so the place was jumping. Horses, trailers, people everywhere. I tell ya, those racehorses make Tuffy look like a tub of lard. It's so exciting being there during race season.
Another good point I learned today. I only have to pay the extra $15 whenever he has to use a new pair of shoes. If I get a reset out of them, the price goes back to what I was paying:). He said with the beveled edge these shoes don't wear out as fast as the old one:). During the summer I usually don't get a reset out of a set of shoes, so I'm hoping he's right about that:)
Becky
LOL....I guess I've found another religion to believe in:). I was just thinking again about this post of yours, and wondering. Just think about the way a regular shaped shoe is going to make the horse move, vs. putting one on that is squared off....Good heavens, it's going to make moving so much more effortless, IMO, or am I nuts like Mack says:). IMO, now, it's no wonder horses develop so many foot problems the way those shoes are shaped. Totally wrong, bound t put pressure on things that shouldn't have pressure on them.
Becky
Good for Tuffy:)
Do you know how/why they came up with the shoes they used??
Becky
Good news about Tuffy - Will be hopeful! I'd like to see his shoe/pad setup.
I don't know that all barefoot horses develop that shape... I've never seen another horse but Cyn who was naturally like that. But when I see the NB shoe, I do recognize it to be the same basic shape as her foot.
In contrast or comparison, this is the pony's feet, also never shod... and hers look round like any "typical" foot.
They wanted to use a wedge shoe and I'm assuming those only come in aluminum. (I could be wrong on that).
I just brought all the horses in the barn because it's cooler in there and Tuffy walked on the cement floor like he never had a problem. I'm feeling better and better....
Tuffy's toes are squared off.
That's great:). I was wondering what the purpose of the wedge shoe was? Tuffy doesn't have much heel, right?
Becky
Tuffy has no heel so they are trying to make his angles more normal.
That's what I thought:).
I'm glad you're making progress.
Becky
You were exactly right. Tuffy's feet look really odd in their natural state. He definitely needs some help in that area.
Is it as hot up there as it is here? It's unbearable, about 101 and humid.
Yeah, it's very hot here too, not quit that bad. I'm trying to decide if I want to ride now or wait till later this evening. The problem is it's American Idol night:), and I know Mack won't want to wait to watch till later, neither do I for that matter. So I really need to go now.....
Becky
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