[haunani]

I just wish pea gravel wasn't so gosh darned expensive! To cover the small area I want to do in my paddock will run me around $6-700. (about a 20 x 30 area)

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by barefoothooves

Well, don't be afraid to say what you believe in. If you really believe barefoot is best, say it. You don't have to offer conditions/exceptions for it. I REALLY do feel it's best.Probably because I don't know a horse yet that I couldn't take barefoot successfully (doing as good or better than when shod). I know and respect people that swear that shoeing is the only way to go, and I can still call them friends.

Absolutely, don't be afraid to stay by what you believe in and what works for you I'm VERY pro-barefoot, but I'm not anti-shoe. I don't really tolerate very well anyone who is anti- one or the other because it's not that black and white with horses. I DO feel it's best for the vast majority of horses, but I also understand that it's not necessarily best for their humans, or the living conditions that the horse has to live in, or the chosen discipline where it's really, really beneficial to put studs in the shoe, or what have you.

[idlewild]

Way to go for you and your horse! I believe that ALL horses should have time barefoot for a few months every year. With my horse, this last winter I finally got him barefoot after having shoes on for 6 years straight
His feet improved tremendously, I saw a huge difference in his feet by the end of the winter versus the beginning when I first pulled the shoes. So yeah, I'm a huge advocate of pulling the shoes when the horse isn't in serious work and only putting shoes on if needed, not just because you can

Pea Gravel huh, interesting! My new barn I'm at has plain gravel around the barn and up the drive that I walk my horse over every day.

[legendsneverdie]

Congrats!!! I want my OTTB to be barefoot... but I don't think that's going to happen. At least not any time soon

[prairienights]

Originally Posted by legendsneverdie

Congrats!!! I want my OTTB to be barefoot... but I don't think that's going to happen. At least not any time soon

I didn't think we were even close with my guy, but I was so glad that I asked my vet about it. I really respect her opinion when it comes to feet issues. Who knows, your guy (or gal) might be more ready than you think.