Re: Stone Bruise (was Re: lameness question)

on 7/12/2008, tenwheels@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 supposed :
> On Jul 11, 5:49 pm, Bill Kambic <wkam...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>> On Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:44:51 -0700 (PDT), tenwhe...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:
>>>> I think you've had crappy experiences with boots.  I don't find them
>>>> very convenient or easy to put on
>> 
>>> How hard is it to put on a boot?  It's neither rocket science nor
>>> especially physically challenging.
>> 
>> When I tried them in the early '90s the closing system was
>> "cantankerous" at best.  A screwdriver was often needed to act as a
>> "shoehorn" to get them on and a "lever" to get them latched.
>
> They are easier now.  Early versions were accompanied by Internet
> instructions for modification.
>
>> The biggest problem with boots for us was that they filled with water
>> and/or debris and mud in our very we climate.  This simultaniously
>> soaked and sandpapered the foot.  Not a good combo.  ;-)
>
> Somewhere in the back 30 is my first EasyBoot which came off during
> Winter-thaw riding.  It hasn't been seen since.  Elsewhere Hasler
> commented that sizing was critical - he's right.  The size 2 is too
> big and size 1 too small.
>
>> I've hear a lot about the durability of boots, but we are presently
>> getting ready, again, for our fall competition with the National
>> Cavalry Association and are wearing out a set of shoes in under six
>> weeks.  I can't see rubber being more durable under those
>> cir***stances than steel.  :-)
>
> I think durability is a misleading point - they do last - at least the
> newer versions.  What I find a problem is deciding a horse should be
> in pain for some period of adjustment together without recognizing
> that no solution exists that has universal applicability.  Simply put,
> "all" and "never" are a prescription for not giving some number of
> horses what they need.


The only time I've *ever* had a horse sore from a trim is when the 
farrier trimmed too close.  My guys are barefoot now, but when I did 
shoe, I'd pull them in the winter.  The farrier I had at the time 
*never* made them sore.