Are your horses still barefoot if you use boots? This seems to be a rolling debate.

My personal view is, yes they are. While it is no secret boots are hoof protection, they are even marketed  as so, yet they hardly behave as a nailed on shoe there is little in change of the fact the horse is barefoot. Boots will continue to allow the hoof to expand on contact with the ground, no nailed on shoe will do this. A properly trimming hoof while in a boot will also continue to allow the frog to come into contact with the force of movement on the ground, though the ground becomes the boot sole. Plus, you can take them off the moment the ride is done.

It is not always possible to ride barefoot. I rode a fantastic trail today and was very pleased to have my boot of choice on the Easyboot Glove. It worked beautifully. This trail had a few major climbs, lots of rocks and some excellent footing for some fun fast trotting.  I have attached Power Straps to the boots and found I had no need for tape, even through the rocks on these steep uphill climbs.

Here is a link the ride GPS track log; Tom’s Thumb 11/14/10 by Rusty – Details

That is Tom’s Thumb way up there at the top. You ride down into the valley then you climb up in two miles, can you say Western States Tevis type switchbacks?

The view looking back down as we begin the climb.

On  the way up. Where did the Thumb go?

Almost there!

Get your boots on and RIDE!

A good friend and wise man said to me this summer that if one can run an ultra-run they would never ride an endurance ride same again. Though I have yet to run an ultra-run I have just completed my first 25 mile run at Man Against Horse in Prescott, AZ and I now have a glimpse of just how spot on he is with that statement.

So many aspects of long distance running can be applied to our horses; trail riding, back country, CTR events and endurance. From nutrition specific feeding, training both physical and mental and of course gear.

As I ran over the rocks, through the sand and the miles passed by, my feet began to feel like they never have before. The pounding of the ground took the toll and I had the pleasure of a great pair of trail running shoes. Still I got two black toe nails and puffy sore feet for a few days.  All I could think about was our horses. Do they have the right shoe for the job?

High heels make a ladies legs look divine and yet we still see the ever intelligent ladies walking to work with their walking shoes on, not their high heels.

We see our military running with combat boots and if I was working with guns, heavy equipment or my life was in danger from the enemy, I would want a pair too.

We see our sport runners going 5k distances to all the way to The Western States 100 running in everything from running shoes to Five Finger Vibram. I doubt we would see a pair of combat boots or high heels here.

As the horses passed me last weekend, I could not help but notice the booted horses moved rather silently through the rough terrain and yet I could hear those steel shoes coming half a mile back, clanging through the rocks and sparks flying.

I am not suggesting to run bare, however, do you have the right shoe for the job?

Most of us reading this post have already taken the dive into barefoot and boots. Which protocol do you use and when?

Does every human have the same foot? Can you say that for us to walk, run, dance or jump we must all have feet that follow the same exact structure and shape? Do we create the same footprint? Of course not: that would be ridiculous.

Some of us have narrow feet, some  wide, some with the second toe longer than the big toe and some of us have higher arches than others. We mange to be ballerinas, gymnasts, ultra runners and hikers with these variations. Beauty is found when form and function come together to create movement.

Why, then, is it that we seem to get stuck in the shod paradigm of thinking, even when barefoot, that all hooves must follow the same rules? Is it possible to have hooves that are not perfect as we have been trained to see, yet perfect in function? Well, yes, actually.

In my past life as a dancer I watched many a ballerina with beautiful feet. I can say say without a doubt that they are all different and it is the use of the those stunning feet that create art and athleticism. Not simple form, but form and function.

Even a broken clock is perfect twice a day, yet you would never trust it to tell you the time. It is much the same with hoof trimming: all styles will work on some horses but you cannot trust it to work on all horses.

I have had the good fortune to learn from many different people to begin building my own personal style of trimming. It is a constant evolution. Once you say “I’ve got this perfect” you have finished learning and, in turn, finished with your love of the horse.

Run from gimmicks and wonder tools that can fix it all. Run from trimmers who claim to be able to fix it in one shot. The key is to have an open mind every time we trim. It is vital to trim that horse on that day. There is no one magic tool or trim. One must step back, see, watch, and respect the entire horse to get a balanced trim to ensure that horse can have optimum function when we are done.

I look at my own horses and see imperfect hooves. They are always in state of change and they are now far better than what I began with.

I have three going endurance horses at home and they all completed challenging 100 mile races this summer, got top ten positions at the Bryce Canyon XP ride, and one who received the Best Condition award. Their hooves have function: by bringing the change along slowly and allowing their bodies to rebuild the internal structures has allowed them function, to be sound and to be fun to ride.

If you are finding soreness, maybe you are going too fast and more aggressive than the hoof is ready for.  The worse the outside of the hoof looks, the more damage has been done into the internal structures. Imagine wearing high heels everyday, all day, and suddenly removing them. You would feel excessive pull on your tendons, calf muscles and you would feel extremely unbalanced.

Though removing the shoes is healthier in the long run, do it too fast and you will have pain and possible injury. The cartilage and deep digital cushion will take time to repair. This cannot happen overnight.

Don’t worry: like Rome, your horse’s hooves will not be built in a day. Give it time. Go brick by brick and trim by trim.

Case study 1 -

Have you ever tried to correct a long toe by lifting the heel? I had been down that path. Have you found it worked long term?

In this photo below you can imagine the hoof around the bone, with correct heel length you will get a coffin bone with a very slight degree of lift allowing it to come to ground level with movement.

In this photo below I have mimicked the heel lift to correct toe length and angle. This hoof may look correct from the outside, however you can see what happens to the internal structure and how  this distorts the coffin bone within the hoof. This can cause longer term damage as you can see how this would drive the front of the coffin bone down into the solar corium and away from the  laminar corium (The corium is considered the ‘sensitive’ structure of the foot as it contains the nerves of the foot. The corium is modified skin tissue that is highly vascular. The corium nourishes growth. It also dissipates heat and concussion).

This horse, an Arabian gelding came to me shod with wedge pads. You can see it was the typical maneuver of trying to correct the excessive toe by lifting the heel.

This will cause the heels and frog to also “run forward” so the horses weight is unable to be supported by the hoof in a normal stance and will change the biomechanics of movement; imagine trying to run with hard high heeled flippers on.

This is going to be on an going rehabilitation while to hoof changes and builds new strength, in the photos below you can see the change after one trim, however, you can see the toe is still long and the hoof remains with some flare. As they say brick by brick or better yet, hoof by hoof.

My Tevis journey began on a whim. Kevin mentioned he was not going to ride, so I offered to take his horse. And so it began.

We began the walk to the start a mile down the road in pen one: 70 horses packed together three to four wide and as deep as you could see in the morning twilight. The tension and excitement made the air thick with energy. Farrabba AKA The Stoner is the kind of horse you trust to always be relaxed, even keel, a true gentleman. I would not see this in him until mile 95.

The mass arrived at the start line where the trail funnels into a two horse wide path with seven minutes to go. As we stood shoulder-to-shoulder Stoner transformed into a ball of fire. At 5:15am the trail was opened, the horses moved like the sand in an hourglass onto the trail and the bucks began. The next ten miles was the most frightening yet thrilling I’ve ever experienced. I am thankful to have tucked him behind Stephanie DuRoss while Stoner continued to canter sideways as the trail began to narrow to single track while my heart was in my throat.

By the time we reached the climb into Squaw Valley, Stoner was extremely eager and our “ride our own ride” truly began. We found ourselves passing many riders and as we crested the mountain the views this ride would deliver showed the majestic beauty. Snow capped mountains, meadows with knee-deep flowers, yellow, purple and red the intoxicating aroma of life from the earth filling the senses.

Flying through the Granite Chief Wilderness I was in awe of the transformation my equine partner had taken. Stoner was originally in shoes and pads and always slightly tender on rocks. He has now been barefoot for a year and I took over his trimming seven months ago. We have been riding him in Gloves or Glue-on boots from EasyCare and he has never been sounder, stronger or more sure-footed.

We flew through the boulder field of beauty in no time arriving at the first trot-through, a quick drink and we were off again. Redstar Ridge was the first official vet stop. I was amazed to see Garrett, Lisa, Kevin Waters, Duncan and Tennessee – what on earth was I doing arriving here with these faster riders? Stoner pulsed down upon arrival and off we went again.

Stoner was a dream on the road into Robinson Flat we arrived in no time. The monster I had begun riding earlier that day was now a horse with some control: fast and fun. Kevin, Leslie and Linda (crew extraordinaire) were a welcome sight. Before I knew what was going on, Stoner’s saddle was removed and we found ourselves at the water, much sponging and prepping for the vet exam. Kevin walked with me and we presented The Stoner, all A’s and a CRI of 52/52. Amazing!

Robinson was physically the lowest point in the day for me. I was hot and rather queasy. Food was not something I could stomach. I think I got down a quarter PB&J and a Starbucks Double Shot. This hour stop was over before it began and off we went again.

The saga of the next 40 miles is beyond words – sort of like the Star Wars Trilogy. Along we rode, checking landmarks off the list as we traversed the most incredible trail in the world. Elephant Trunk; not so bad. Cougar rock; well I went around. Coming into the ledges I realized my saddle pad shifted forward onto Stoners neck. Upon more inspection I find my girth has come undone. This is not something that makes one feel good or safe on these trails but I am happy this would not happen again.

The trail through Pucker Point was a highlight for me. I loved this section: the footing is wonderful and the trail is breathtaking. It was over too soon.

The Last Chance vet stop was Stoner’s low point of the day and it was not really that low at all. The humidity seemed to be having its effect on all the horses and it took a minute for him come down, which was not normal for my guy and would not happen again through out the ride.

We headed out into the canyons and I truly had no idea what was to come. I cannot express what they do to you physically or emotionally. The first is by far the steepest and even tailing most of it out was exhausting. Upon reaching Devil’s Thumb, Stoner looked fantastic while I was ready to drop. He was bright eyed, hungry and driven. He had gotten stronger through this section of trail that seemed to take the wind out of the sails of many horses. It was a quick trot into the next stop: Stoner had a CRI or 56/52. He had a quick bite to eat and gave me a look of “What are you waiting for? Let’s go!”

The second of the three canyons did me in. Though not as steep, it is longer in miles and deeper in decent with an endless climb out. I found myself with Stephanie DuRoss again. I told her a story of crewing last year and the rider coming in and beginning to cry. We had a little chuckle and continued up the trail. Stoner was strong; we passed her and continued alone for some time. With my body beginning to cook and mental state failing we finally crested the canyon and trotted into Michigan Bluff. The sight of my good friends sent me over the edge and the tears began to flow. I cried like a baby. The feeling of exhaustion took hold and fear of more trail to come paralyzed me. Kevin, Leslie, Linda and many more watered and fed my steed who I had the utmost respect for tackling this trail and getting us through the most difficult trail I had yet to see – ever.

The road into the Chicken Hawk stop was yet again a climb and I spent much of it with tears trickling down my face. Stoner was sound, strong and felt like a part of my very being, we were a perfect union of as he lifted my spirit and continued to carry us down the trail.

The vet stop was a blur and I thank DeWayne Brown for being there to help as I was not thinking clearly or rationally. Some more food, a quick vet through and we were off again, alone, while I was riding the most perfect equine.

We arrived into Foresthill and the air was beginning to cool, the sun was getting lower in the sky and I was beginning to regain my life’s energy. Stoner vetted through with all A’s: he had covered 68 miles of the hardest trail on the planet but he was looking good. The stop was welcome for us both. He ate the entire hour, as well as I. Our most excellent crew delivered fresh clothes, and a selection of food that filled my stomach. They also fuelled my belief that we could conquer the Tevis trail.

We departed Foresthill with much daylight left as we trotted through town towards the infamous California Loop. As we started down the trail I felt my nerves build. The footing was mostly a dream and we flew through the single track, covering as much ground as we could before the sun dropped below the horizon. In the daylight I found this trail to be not so bad, yes if you go over the edge it is a straight drop down into the American river and most likely the last experience you will have. Stoner was sure-footed, clear-minded and confident as we cruised through this long, narrow, stunning trail. We were lucky to have the company of Kevin Waters as we traded places leading switching at water stops when the trail gave us a moment in time of rest from the ledge and opened up.

Full darkness set in half way along this trail and the trees disappeared. The moon was high and bright as it shone on the water far below. Stoner was leading and I could feel the side of the cliff knocking my foot on one side and see river shining directly below, far below as we trot along the side on the mountain. While my horse gave me no sign he would take us over the edge to our death, my fear took hold. Coming to a random tree, I dismounted. I ran the remainder of this trail on foot taking in the pure beauty of where we were, full moon reflecting on the river, the sound of my horse’s and feel of his breath on my back as moved in harmony. As we continued to get closer to the river I gave into to my fear and mounted my horse. Trotting along leading the way I found I was in heaven with complete trust in the most amazing horse, our energy in union enjoying the pure moment: perfection!

The vet check came and went: many people and lights. Stoner passed the check easily with a quick note from the vet that he looked fantastic and we were doing a great job. I wonder if he was telling everyone that at that point but looked around to see a few horses waiting for transport back to camp in a trailer. I began to believe we just might do this most amazing ride.

It was a short ride to the river crossing and I was in shock to discover we were still passing riders as Stoner asked to trot, growing ever stronger and then finally reach the section of trail we had ridden earlier in the week.

The river crossing was like a party; tons volunteers, loud music echoing in the canyon and tons of glow sticks lighting up the way across the great American River. Stoner entered the water and pushed through. I began to feel my feet get wet, then my calves and saw the water rising up to the base of Stoner’s neck as my knees got wet. Then up and out the other side.

Lower Quarry stop was fast and over before it began in my mind. Knowing there was only six miles to go made my emotions run wild. We trotted down the quarry road, crossed the highway and climbed onto yet another narrow trail. The lights of the cars were far below, directly below. Coming to No Hands Bridge I had no room for fear any longer and Stoner gladly carried us across at a trot.

The trail began to feel long and the thick cover of the trees shielded the moonlight. With every step my horse felt like he had a growing sense of accomplishment: what we had done was something to honor. Our energy, breath and heartbeats felt like one unit as we began our last climb up out of the trees into Auburn and the to the finish line. The lights came into view as we rounded the last corner. The anxious crowd applauded and our loved ones came into sight. It was a feeling like no other: reverence for my horse and the trail we have covered. One final vet check to go.

Kevin trotted Stoner out and we watched as his scores got displayed on the card. A, A, A. He went on to receive all A’s finishing in 19th place for his first 100 on the most difficult ride known: The Western States Tevis Cup.

To say I am proud only begins to express my gratitude for Farrabba. Admiration, respect, awe! Tevis is without question the most thrilling, difficult and fulfilling ride I have ever done. Thank you Kevin for letting me ride this most amazing horse!

Thank you EasyCare for help making this happen. Rock on Easyboot!

I will be back.

Rusty