BARE HOOVES -
- EXPAND when weight bearing and CONTRACT when not weight bearing.
- This flexion aids in how a horse circulates blood throughout the foot.
- The proprioceptors are intact, allowing the horse to feel the density of the ground beneath him. When the ground is harder, he will shorten his stride to protect his
joints.
- Bare hooves are capable of superior traction control, resulting in less tendon/leg injuries.
- Horses that compete in Endurance events barefoot (or booted) have heart rates which recover faster than steel shod horses.
STEEL SHOD HOOVES -
- The rigid steel renders the heels incapable of flexing independently, creating awkward forces in the joints as entire limb is made to shift and deviate instead of heel alone.
- The horse's shock absorbing system is rendered useless, allowing the concussive forces and vibration to travel much further up the limb.
- Nail holes open the otherwise sealed areas to invasive bacteria.
- Expansion and contraction of the hoof are lessened.
- Steel vibrates and living tissue is killed by vibration.
"Show me your horse, and I will tell you who you are."
-old English Proverb
