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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Brenda Imus Questions and Answers > Hoof Talk > Rain Gaiting in Boots |
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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > Brenda Imus Questions and Answers > Hoof Talk > Rain Gaiting in Boots |
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| Rain Gaiting in Boots | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Mon May 14th, 2012 04:21 pm |
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21st Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member 
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And another pic... yes, I can mount him from the ground now, lol. Attachment: rain on morrow mt 3.jpg (Downloaded 34 times)
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| Posted: Mon May 14th, 2012 04:19 pm |
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22nd Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member
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Update with Rain, my TWH... he continues to gait better than ever since our barefoot transition, the frog has butterflied out nice and pump, the heel is down and the hoof nicely balanced, riding in Easy Boots on the trails. I am very proud of his progress, both to hoof soundness and his love of trail riding now. This last weekend, he led a trail ride over Morrow Mountain, and was the only TWH with QHs. He did a great job going slower, putting out nice handle and showing off a variety of flat walk speeds, nice draw of energy from the horses behind and not worrying one bit about moving ahead on a new trail. He is a great big good boy! Attachment: rain on morrow mt 2.jpg (Downloaded 34 times) Last edited on Mon May 14th, 2012 06:02 pm by NOELLEE |
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| Posted: Tue Apr 17th, 2012 02:19 pm |
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23rd Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member
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Thanks Lakota and Softride  I think the penny bags help somewhat, and every little bit helps. I am going to try more than two this year and see it that REALLy helps! I think keeping the stalls cleaned daily is the real helper  Rain is such a good horse now... riding him Sunday, I realized we are both at the "same" age between horses and people. One day we will both be old and riding the trails, lol, but we will know each other so well.
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| Posted: Mon Apr 16th, 2012 01:40 am |
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24th Post |
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softride G.O.G Community Member 
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OH MY---he has blossomed under your loving care!!!!! I know that he has found his "horsey heaven" here with you. I can see the contiment in his face. Keep up the great job (not the right word but cannot think of what the right one would be).
____________________ Horses are not a job-They are a way of life! |
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15th, 2012 12:59 pm |
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25th Post |
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Lakota Ranch Hand 
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I noticed the bags of water, do you find that they help with the flies? I hear folks talk about them but no one seems to know if they make any difference. What's your take? (Oh, and Rain is a handsome boy. Nice pics as usual.)
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15th, 2012 12:10 pm |
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26th Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member
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I love this picture of him too, he is beautiful and it shows! Attachment: nov 2011 100.jpg (Downloaded 53 times)
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15th, 2012 11:56 am |
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27th Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member
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softride wrote: The pics wel real nice and I can see that you are both happy and isn't that what riding is all about? Hi Softride, glad to hear from you. Yep, being happy with my horses and both of us enjoying what we do together is the the best part. It has been several months now since we rehabbed Rain's hooves. His hooves are staying round and balanced, frog has hearted out healthy and he gaits better than ever, barefoot or in boots. No doubt he needs shoes not! Coming from a padded show history, I am glad Rain has the positive experience of how good barefoot feels All five of our horses are barefoot. I rasp back to roundness and balance inbetween my farrier's visits, but I have to say I have the best hoof care professional in my area and thankful for her expertise! We rode yesterday together in a trail group of six horses, all clients of hers, barefoot or booted up, it was a relaxing ride, all the horses did great on the mountain challenges. Balance in movement matters to the horse and it was interesting to watch how calm this also makes the horse on the trail. Rain is the sweetest TWH, always a gentleman now, in saddle or off lead, quiet in the barn, patience with the other horses when I call them up, considerate of how to please me and not minding that the other younger horses demand my attention first. He waits on me, and seem to cherish just as much as I each moment we interact with each other. I cannot tell enough of how Rain has transitioned over to finding his peace. He holds so much trust now, and that is good to see. I love the look in his eyes here, just shining out how he feels good. Attachment: 2012-02-26 11 24 10.jpg (Downloaded 53 times) Last edited on Sun Apr 15th, 2012 12:01 pm by NOELLEE |
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| Posted: Sun Apr 15th, 2012 02:11 am |
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28th Post |
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softride G.O.G Community Member
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 Hey ther Noellee. Been a long time since I was on here but I was so glad to see that you and Rain are getting along so great. I have been an advocate of barefoot riding before people were even talking about it. In the late 60's and early 70's. I just felt that natural was better and that God didn't pit shoes on the horses so why should I. Living in FL sand has had some problems with cracks but after a while I could ride on limerock roads without my horses getting tender. Durning the summer when the hooves would grow from all the rain, I went on a 4 to 5 week trim just to make sure that the toes didn't get to long. I not sure if my ferrier liked me or not cause I was always telling him what I wanted for him to do and most of the time he would do it. The pics wel real nice and I can see that you are both happy and isn't that what riding is all about?
____________________ Horses are not a job-They are a way of life! |
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| Posted: Wed Feb 22nd, 2012 09:10 pm |
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29th Post |
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Lakota Ranch Hand
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Don't know what kind of paved roads you have... around here the back roads that are paved get real slick from the car traffic. Other main roads seem to have more 'grit' to them and are not nearly as slick. If your horse is shod with plain 'keg' shoes, they will be pretty slippery sometimes even at the walk. It depends on how slick your road is, the outside temps. (cool fall temps. increase the slickness, hot summer temps decrease it), and your horses way of going. If he is barefoot, this will provide more traction, but moisture on the road will decrease the traction. (Such as rain or sweat from a spring thaw.) Hoof boots will give traction plus provide some shock absorption when gaiting. If you choose to shoe, I highly advise the use of borium on the front shoes at the toe and each heel. Borium is chips of carbide mixed in sticks of brazing rod that is applied to the ground surface of the shoe using an oxy/acetalene torch (like soldering only more durable). This provides a non-slip surface that makes it safe for gaiting at any speed. However, this much traction can be hard on the horses leg structures if you are speed racking everywhere you go like Jehu. It is advisable not to use borium on the hind shoes to allow them to glide/slide into place as they land and not to grip which would shorten the stride and hinder the gait and it's smoothness. I have been satisfied keeping my horses barefoot, but I don't put that many miles on them like I used to. Keep in mind that the bare foot will be sanded down like sanding wood if you do a lot of riding on paved roads. You might want to learn to do 'touch up' trims in between farrier visits to keep them in good shape. As for being trotty, ride at a nice walk on any uphill terrain. Asking for an increased impulsion will make him more diagonal (trotty). When you reach a downhill grade, you should ask for a little more impulsion and see if it helps him to smooth out and not trot. A smooth surface (such as a nice smooth paved road) will make it easier for your horse. But, deep arena footing, deep grass, plowed fields, muddy trails, even gravel roads can and will make it harder for him to square up (become less trotty and more towards the rack or runwalk) so don't ask for much gait in this type of footing, just a forward moving walk. Also, Chris Larson is correct about the weight issue. If you feel added weight would benefit his gait, barefoot the front (or use aluminum shoes) and use plain steel keg shoes on the hind feet. (As opposed to using HEAVY shoes on the hinds.) Hopefully you won't need to go that far to help his gait. They say an ounce on the hoof equates to a pound at the shoulder because of the 'rope and pulley' way the leg is made. Notice there are no muscles below the knees and hocks of the horses legs. The joints, tendons, and ligaments must bear the stresses from any added weight applied to the hooves, so keeping it as light as possible is always best. If you don't already have the Imus Comfort Gait bit, this would be a great first tool to purchase. Then as time and money allow, I reccomend getting a 4Beat saddle. I have seen moderate to dramatic improvement in different horses with Imus tack, but always some improvement. Read all the training articles about trotty horses on the homepage and watch all the video clips too, or better yet get Brenda's Gaits From God dvd's. (They make bit mechanics very easy to understand!) Also, study your Gaited Horse Bible in depth and you will learn what to do. Oh, and ask lots of questions on this board. There are lots of people here with plenty of miles under their belts to offer help.
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21st, 2012 02:25 pm |
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30th Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member
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karenlexsc wrote: Noelle, Rain looks great and its wonderful he's doing so well. Great he handles boots so well. Thanks Karen! Rain really is doing great and so happy of a horse. He keeps getting better and better at trying to please me and his gaiting is near effortless now it seems. I am very proud of him. He still gets keyed up at the big group rides, but his handle is nice and his energy just explodes inside that nice handle so that makes him much fun to ride! Lacey is a nice mare! I love seeing all the pics of her that you post.
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21st, 2012 02:13 pm |
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31st Post |
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karenlexsc G.O.G Community Member 
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Noelle, Rain looks great and its wonderful he's doing so well. Great he handles boots so well. I tried to get boots for Lacey, but she is very very hard to fit...perfectly round front hooves! Tried the glove fit kit, but actually she doesn't need shoes unless we plan a trip to the mtns like when we went to East Fork last Oct. We are planning Leatherwood in June, so will have shoes put on at some point, but otherwise I like to keep her barefoot as long as I can.
____________________ Karen No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. ~Winston Churchill |
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21st, 2012 01:23 pm |
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32nd Post |
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karenlexsc G.O.G Community Member
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Oh, and the saddle...I had another brand saddle that fit my horse well. When husband took over riding Domino from me and needed a saddle, we got him a 4 Beat. He adores it and so does Domino. I have to be really honest and say that I was skeptical if it would allow the horse to gait better. I tried it 3 or 4 times on my mare and had to admit I saw a difference! Couldn't deny the difference. So sold my "other brand" one on ebay and now I have a 4 beat also. Lacey and I both are so happy! They are very comfortable saddles...you won't be disappointed.
____________________ Karen No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. ~Winston Churchill |
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| Posted: Tue Feb 21st, 2012 01:16 pm |
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33rd Post |
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karenlexsc G.O.G Community Member
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Our gelding Domino forges often while being lead, during his very lazy walk, but never under saddle. He wears rocker toe shoes on the front feet to help him turn over faster, but they have nothing to do with forging. Being he's a lazy laid back guy, he stumbled often, thus the shoes help him not stumble as much. We were told that forging while walkin lazily wasn't a problem unless it happens under saddle. So we don't worry or try to fix. We LOVE riding on our dirt roads - super for gaiting!!! And we don't do anything but walk on the paved ones.
____________________ Karen No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. ~Winston Churchill |
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| Posted: Mon Feb 20th, 2012 04:47 pm |
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34th Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member
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sweetcakes wrote: That's what is making me thinking I need a different saddle. I have the IMUS saddle, western with horn... and I love it. It fits my TWH like no other saddle has done, and I tried a few before plunging in and buying it. It is different from saddles made for non gaited horses and you can feel this difference after you ride in it. Wanted to add one comment to forging as I mentioned it here in this thread... and jumping between hooves and tack is fine! My TWH did not forge when barefoot or when he was shod. But sometimes for gaited horses whose foot patterns are different than the trots or gallops, you can get a forge reaction if the boots do not fit well or hinder the gait pattern, or are too loose. On my TWH when I tried roomier boots, we got a forge reaction because his breakover in those one particular boots was causing his hooves to pick up and come down too sluggishly. When I put him in tighter boots with less toe room, we got excellent results. So just like the hoof might need to be angled to prevent natural forging, I went with a boot with less toe angle. But otherwise, his hooves are trimmed as usual in a balanced barefoot trim that fits him. And LOL, with five horses I have learned to find the best fitted tack I can for each one. It is unreal what I have invested in tack! But it pays off on the ride .Last edited on Mon Feb 20th, 2012 04:50 pm by NOELLEE |
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| Posted: Mon Feb 20th, 2012 02:55 pm |
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35th Post |
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sweetcakes G.O.G Community Member 
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Yes, "The Gaited Horse Bibile?" I am reading it now. That's what is making me thinking I need a different saddle. I have a TW trainer in this area I'm going to see, (she shows, trains etc.) but, when I asked her about the saddle issue? She said she likes the (namebrand). Well, now I'm confused, because they aren't for gaited horses, and I really believe a flextree would be best for him, Sorry to jump from hooves to feet here. I just don't think he's comfy in the one (western) I've got him in. I wish I could find a BI saddle (used) because I've spent so much lately on him getting him tacked up etc.!!
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| Posted: Mon Feb 20th, 2012 01:46 pm |
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36th Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member
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sweetcakes wrote: I've just transitioned him to barefoot. Farrier said he has great feet, but I just bought him 6 months ago, so I don't know if he's always been shod or not? Glad you are enjoying the forum, I also got lots of great starter advice here! Welcome!! I like using Easy Boots on the road or trails for my barefoot TWH. He does very well in the Edge type boots and I think the boots also protect his feet and he seems to love the boots, and gaits better than when he was shod. I put boots on the front only. Rain, my TWH, is consistent at racking or flat walk/running, but I got him there by trail riding over lots of different terrain changes that worked him out of pacing. He tended to pace more than trot due to his build. It is good to start off slow, but hill work makes for getting in good form! Do you have Brenda's latest book? I used it as a source reference to getting into more speed and form? It was very helpful!
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| Posted: Mon Feb 20th, 2012 04:31 am |
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37th Post |
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sweetcakes G.O.G Community Member
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Thanks Tn Trailrider. I get it. I also GET it with my boy too. I've just transitioned him to barefoot. Farrier said he has great feet, but I just bought him 6 months ago, so I don't know if he's always been shod or not? I am dealing with him being trotty, so I'm trying different things. But thanks for the riding on road clarification. I'm not real comfortable doing it at anything but a walk, and even then, I'm on guard. Thanks again! So happy to have found this site! Very informative... 
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| Posted: Mon Feb 20th, 2012 04:20 am |
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38th Post |
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TN Trailrider G.O.G Community Member 
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Sweetcakes, no question is a dumb question as it shows you are learning! Forging is when the front of the back hoof strikes the back of the front hoof and you usually can hear a click, click, click if they do it. This can somewhat be corrected by angle changes in the hoof. Maybe squaring the back toes slightly or changing the breakover of the front hoof. Changing the breakover is when you change the pattern of flight of the front hoof so that it doesn't hit the ground quite as fast therefore it's not in the way of the back hoof. Sounds complicated, but your farrier will understand. I remember the discussion on road riding. I will gait on gravel roads, but my own preference is to not do anything but walk on asphalt as I don't want the horse to slip and I personally feel it's too hard on their hoofs to go fast. Other will gait on it, so you just do what's comfortable for you. Let us see some pics of your horse!
____________________ Lynne |
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| Posted: Mon Feb 20th, 2012 03:32 am |
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39th Post |
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sweetcakes G.O.G Community Member
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Hello, sorry to butt in here, but I'm new to the site, and learning lots from just reading...But I'm new to my TW, and wondering what you mean by forging? I'm like a sponge learning all these terms regarding gaiting etc. Thanks for any clarification you can give? Also, I notice that many people seem to ride on roads? I'm worried about slipping etc. Do you simply walk on them or do you gait as well? Sorry if these are dumb questions, but like I said, newbie!
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| Posted: Thu Jan 12th, 2012 02:44 pm |
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40th Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member
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fireandice wrote: I'm so happy Rain is doing so well, you've really worked hard and done your homework. I haven't posted in a while because our weather has been so phenomenal that I'm riding a good bit. Thanks Tina, we had great riding weather up until just now... horses getting spoiled in the barn and fields, but Rain is good to go on these old country roads! only 59 days until we spring forward, so maybe winter will be short! Enjoy the good riding weather . It seems when you are riding gaited, it don't feel as cold, lol.
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