I was just reading your posts on the Noavel bridle. Boy, do I like the way you think!

It sure sounds like you are having a run of bad luck. Hope you get poor Turbo back in top shape soon. I love taking care of the horses, but when it comes to illness and injury, I lose my patience real fast.

I'm thinking that I should have tried one of the sole toughening/hardening preps before deciding to get the hoof boots. I haven't received the Renegades yet, so can't tell you for sure how happy I'm going to be with them. They are used by a lot of endurance riders and a gal on here used them in an arena working cattle, but don't know how they would stand up for barrel racing. If you could get a good fit, I would think they would work.

Hope things start looking up for you real soon.

I think I'm going to have to "bite the bullet" and try a pair of hoof boots on my four year old. Our outing today on the rocks was terrible. Then he clutzed on a side hill, went down on his nose - I bailed off and landed on my back hoping he wouldn't step on my leg. It was no big deal to him but rather ticked me off. So, I've been considering trying the boots. Have you heard of the Renegade brand? I have a pair of the first Easy Boots and wasn't impressed with them. Just angry I guess that this bare foot thing isn't getting him walking on rocky terrain better. No fun getting drug through the trees! LOL

Yep, you've got it pegged. And, like you said it's really noticeable on concrete. Out on the gravel less, and on grass even less. He's sound otherwise, so I guess I'll just keep him down there and give it some time. I was so worried that I was doing something terribly wrong and would cripple my big, beautiful paint horse. And I mean big - he's too fat right now. We're hauling tomorrow so will try and work a few ounces off him! LOL

Finished putting up our hay today. That's a good feeling. Finally stopped raining and got super nice. Doing all this hoof trimming has made the hay handling even easier. I pile on the rack and in my loft also. You should see my "muskles"!

Thanks for your reply. At least now I know that I'm not the only one with this going on.

Hope you're having a great evening,

Pat

Good morning,

I wanted to let you know that I got a big "thumbs up" from the barefoot trimmer yesterday. Out of the three horses, she only trimmed one - and he actually had more problems after she worked on him.

I was having trouble with this horse's front toes bouncing or "fluttering" upon landing. Heel first, but toe bounce. As the wall length grew on the quarters, the problem would diminish. But, after her trim yesterday the problem was quite worse. She feels that the sensation he's feeling on the sole in that area is what is causing the bouncing and that if I just keep him using his sole that eventually he'll come out of this. If not, then he's just not comfortable with being that short.

Have you heard of this? Just curious. I was afraid I was taking his toes to short, but she said not. So, I'll try her recommendations and go from there.

Anyway, I was pretty happy that she was so impressed with my horses' feet. I always second guess myself and worry that I'm doing something wrong. She said I had a very good eye. Yea me! LOL

Have a great day,

Pat

Hey Thanks for the add

Hey, I'm the first one?!!

Thought I would let you know that I have a barefoot trimmer from this area coming Monday to check on my "technique" of trimming the horses feet.

I've had so many bad farriers through the years that I decided I couldn't do any worse. So, it's been almost two years now and the horses are doing well. Just at the point where I would like to have someone who (hopefully) knows more than I do take a look at my work and give me suggestions or kudos! LOL

One thing for sure though. If this gal lames my horses, that will be the last farrier to set foot on the place. I feel that strongly about that. I've done no harm. Can't say that about so many of the "so called" farriers out there.

Wish me luck!

Pat