[drivingpairs] To Shoe or Not to Shoe--That is the Question
- From: "Paul or Deryn Stewart" <stewarts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <drivingpairs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 06:57:42 -0600
In the last 15 years or so, I have had three BIG horses--two draft crosses
and one Hanoverian. All had a good, natural foot. Shoeing them created
problems with the heel crushing. Farriers learned a lot about this type of
horse over this time period. The solution at the beginning was to use wedge
pads and leave the heel alone, praying for it to grow. By the end of this
period, they had learned to back the hoof off and take off enough heel to
move the shoe back under the body. All three of these horses improved when
their shoes were removed.
With the horses we are currently driving, they go barefoot unless they need
shoes for traction or because they are wearing off more than they grow. We
are fortunate to have good ground to work on and horses with good feet. Last
year, my single horse wore plain shoes with stud holes for Georgia in April.
As the year progressed and I wanted to get out on the roads more, I put him
into borium. The shoes came off after the Cowboy Country CDE last October.
He is barefoot now and working every day. He did a dressage clinic a couple
of days after the shoes came off with no problem. He is blessed with good
feet. He is Anglo Arab, and we probably have to credit the Arab for the
feet.
Deryn Stewart
Stewarts Driving & Dressage
Ponca City, OK 74604
stewarts@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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