Mounted search and rescue

[<lazwalks@clearviewcatv.net>]

I believe that it depends not only on the terrain and the hardness of the hoof but the quality and angles that your horse needs to be able to hang in for the long haul...meaning years not just one ride.  I've got horses in my barn who have good solid feet but will never be able to keep the proper angles for various reasons, one being previous poor trimming and shoeing.  The length of time that a shoe stays on is meaningless.  Finding a good, well educated farrier is worth their weight in gold and a good investment over the life time of your horse.  Find one you trust and listen to what they recommend.  That cost is negligable compared to later costs of an unsound horse.  Do lots of research yourself in vet reference books and vet schools on line.  Each horse's need are unique, complex and can change over time and use.  Don't short change your partner.



On Wed Feb 18 20:38 , Lois Guyon <laguyon2@yahoo.com> sent:

> Lana,
>
> It depends on the footing and on the horse. I have never shod my two horses for SAR work while my friend keeps her's shod - it has soft feet. We work mostly on soft ground and yet the one horse needs to be shod. It is easy to tell if they need shoes. They do not like to walk on surfaces that hurt their feet. They will let you know if they are hurting.
>
> Lois
>
>
> --- On Wed, 2/18/09, LANA BLAND <ldbland@q.com> wrote:
>
> > From: LANA BLAND <ldbland@q.com>
> > Subject: [MSAR] MSAR horse - barefoot vs. being shod
> > To: msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org
> > Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 5:47 PM
> > Hello everyone,
> > 
> > I'm looking for some feedback from anyone who is or has
> > successfully used a barefoot horse (using the natural
> > hoofcare), for SAR or any other disciplines vs. being shod. 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > With farrier costs being so high now, keeping a horse shod
> > 365 days -year after year just for MSAR requirements has
> > become a financial stress for some of our current members
> > and has even been an issue when trying to recruit new MSAR
> > members that successfully use the natural hoofcare practice.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Thank you for any information you can share.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Lana
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > "Horses Are Like Potato Chips - you can't have
> > just one." 
> > 
> > 
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>
>
>
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