Hoof Boot Story...

A co-worker had a barefoot trimmer work on his horse last week and was really impressed and booked him to come out in six weeks. So, being a barefoot advocate myself, I gave him the oh, good for you, let me know how it works out, etc etc.

He ordered a pair of hoof boots, and I won't mention what brand, but anyways, he put them on his horse, went for a ride and the horse over-reached and ripped the boot. I asked him if he had a warranty or guarantee on them and he did so now he is waiting on a replacement.

I made the comment "At least he was wearing boots and not shoes at the time. He could have caught the shoe while over-reaching and it would have ended in a potential disaster."

I, in return, got, "If he would have been shod, he would have had bell boots on so it wouldn't have mattered. Now, I have a pair of useless boots and a horse I can't use until I get replacements. I should just get the shoes put back on." I just walked away because I was pretty mad - not a him - just people who won't open their minds and break from tradition.

Sorry everyone, I just had to vent.

a horse he can't use - says it all.
why did he decide to go barefoot? surely he knows that it takes time for a newly barefoot horse to adjust - he isnt doing it just to be trendy is he??
vent all you like - its what this is for!!

Sorry to hear that your co-worker is so upset. I hope he has a change of heart and gives his barefoot horse a chance.

The difficulty lies, not in new ideas, but forgetting the old

I think this needs to be said more often. I see this a lot with people trying to feed their horse supplements (for reasons a lot of the time they do not understand what their horse really needs and they want a quick fix)they expect immediate results. Most supplements, especially ones designed to cleans organs take a minimum 60 days to work and get into the system. Same with barefoot.

Wears bell boots with shoes eh? Then the owner knows the horse is unbalanced and over reaches anyway. Should have had a bit more sense - this was probably another case of someone being told going barefoot will cure your horses problem, and not being told about all the other things they need to do as well. Lots of people I know have 'tried' barefoot and give up after a few months. They can't believe how tough Dancing's feet are on any rocky track. She's been barefoot ten years and wore boots for most of the first one.

As previously stated by another, there is more work involved when keeping a horse barefoot. It is a lot of work! It is too bad that some people are not willing to put the effort in. So disheartening....