Hello Folks, I am a lurker who loves to follow the great advice, tips and general info generated by the questions ana answers from the beginners and the experienced. I have been dabbling in the driving discipline for just a few years. While I don't have the money to support the habit, I have been hanging around the folks who do just to glean some of the excitement and to keep my foot in the door (who knows, I may hit the lottery). I have a young friend with a barnful of horses including Welsh, Welsh cross, and Hackney cross ponies. She is focusing on driving, having just put together her 1st 4-in-hand. From time to time she needs a hand and I am always glad to help as this way I get to play and learn. I myself own a small pony which I started and had broke to drive with the help of a local trainer, just previous to that , for a year leased my friend's dead-broke Welsh gelding who taught me the basics. I enjoy voluteering at the shows (another way to play and learn). I am a novice driver but mostly a groupy. Today I have a question about shoeing: I would like my pony to go barefoot. He is presently shod with borium in front to prevent slipping on the road. However, his hoof is quite hard. What experience have you folks had with the unshod on asphalt? Do I need the borium or will the unshod hoof grip just fine? Always appreciative, Smithy in PA _________________________________________________________ To Unsubscribe, change to Digest or Vacation mode go to: http://www.drivingpairs.com/dpmem.html `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````