Well I tell my farrier all the time how great he is...cause I always hope the flattery will get me some kind of better rate (he charges too much too)...We actually considered glue ons for my horse at one time but I didn't want to pay for them (go figure)...what are you using them for?

I did not think it was THAT uncommon.
but maybe it is.
Ive certainly seen it before though.

Ive read Dixie talk about this very issue in the past.


Repent

What else...bad footed horses!!. The usual problems, bad walls, tender soles, etc.

thanks smarty....guess I deserved that.:o

I once ran a horse barefoot behind on the grass at Gulfstream. We discovered that the blacksmith had changed the back shoes on the horse and got confused and thought that horse was running on the dirt and put shoes with toe grabs on behind. The stewards let me pull the shoes in the holding barn, they announced the change and the horse ran really well (2nd). Better than he had. When I took him to Belmont for his next start the stewards would not let me run without the hind shoes.

hmm,
good information.

I was playing Belmont one time earlier this year.
McLaughlin(I think that was the trainer) had a filly that was light years faster than the other horses in the short field.
anyway, she was acting up and they could only get like 3 shoes I think.
so the stewards scratched her and let her run for purse money only.
Im at Lone Star just watching on the monitors and did not have any audio.
it said SCR next to her name, so I adjusted my play.
thought she was not running.

then I watch her win for fun.

maybe shoes are overrated.


Repent

Sometimes....

I asked the vet today. He said as long as the horse has good feet to start with, it's healthier for him to go barefoot. It allows the frog to expand and contract which allows for better blood flow. The foot will actually grow a "hook" (may be the wrong word to use as it's not an actual hook) that will allow the foot to grasp the ground better. Shoes with toe grabs will not let that hook grow.
If I didn't explain this well enough, I apoligize. We didn't finish barn calls until late and I just got home 1/2 hour ago. Deb

Yeah but its also probably healthier for horses to run around in fields than race and that would get a bit old after a while.

Years ago at Calder (1993, I think) Happy Alter ran a horse named D J Cat barefoot and, for whatever reason, it was a big deal. I mean, I guess it's not too common, but it does happen from time to time. It was also a time well before glue-on shoes became fashionable.

Local media picked up the story (remember when local media actually cared about racing?) and one of the features reporters took off his shoes and walked around the tow ring behind D J Cat. I just remember how much that guy cracked himself up about it. Hey, to each his own...

And I don't think Brother Derek was ever without shoes. Glue-ons, maybe, but not barefoot. At least I've never seen him barefoot.

He was barefoot for a period of time in Del Mar before he ran his first race back.