Something I have never seen- can anyone explain?

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by repent

maybe shoes are overrated.


Repent

Sometimes....

[Rileyoriley]

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

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Rileyoriley

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.

[Honu]

Originally Posted by redransom

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.