10/18/2025
Pretty is as pretty does. One thing that social media doesn't show us when they show all these pics of nice pretty hooves, is how those horses move. This is my own horse.. I have experimented endlessly over the past 4 years with what works best for him. He can land heel first, march around on various surfaces, his feet look fine, his rads look good, BUT he still is MUCH happier to move out freely and comfortably with hoof protection. I usually use boots or composite shoes. Whether that is purely due to hoof sensation, or maybe his wimpy digitial cushions dont provide enough dampening effect, or it may have something to do with shock or impact higher up in the body, whatever it is.. it's what makes him feel his best regardless of how I think his feet are doing. We have to listen to the horses. Doing what is in their best interest is always the top priority.
Last photo shows the difference in his stride length and horizonal balance between barefoot (top), or using front flex boots (bottom). How he feels up front affects his WHOLE body.
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