In all our rides, Szaleem has only been vetted out lame on one occasion and that was Dalby Forest last year. It was my fault as hard forest tracks are not the best, especially when trying to keep up with a shod horse with less ‘feel’. Looking back, Szaleem was not fully transitioned at that time and I was still learning the tactics needed for successful barefoot competing. A fully transitioned barefoot horse will have developed a hard dense sole which can be twice as thick as that of a shod horse. For this reason, when riding barefoot, stone bruises are far less common than you would imagine.
I am very pleased and proud that we have achieved the 1000km mark but I must admit it has not always been easy. Szaleem had quite contracted feet and she had thrush last winter which interfered with our progress. Now her feet look completely different with broad open heels and strong healthy frogs. I have to admit that I almost resorted to shoes on one occasion but am so glad that the moment passed and I persevered. What I can truthfully say is that no way could I ever stand and watch a farrier nailing steel shoes onto any of my horses ever again.
Angela Shutt
