Thursday, August 07, 2008

horsey things

Anyone have any experience with horse "boots" (like EasyBoots and whatnot). Shylah has hard feet but she's ouchy on rocky terrain, and she's going to be in very rocky terrain for a week or so this fall. Get her shod? Try boots? Any ideas?

She actually loped last night in the round pen. It was amazing. Her canter, in addition to being rough, has always seemed a bit frantic. I'm not sure where she found a lope, but there it was. Still a little bouncy, but it is improving for sure. I suppose it's conformation that gives her an odd gait but she's a lot more level than she used to be, and I think perhaps that's making the difference. I wish I had a big open space to go run her around in. *envies those with open fields to ride in*

I've been thinking more about the mounted shooting that I saw at Horse Expo. They have practices here and there around the area. There are numerous reasons I can't participate at this point (no trailer or truck, no gun, crappy aim, slow horse) but it does sound fun. I'm toying with the idea of going to watch and photograph an event this weekend (anyone want to go to Dunnigan with me? Why do my horsey friends all live so darn far away!?) I'd need a fast smooth horse if I was ever going to do this, and then it dawned on me... Dusty! He's quick, he's all go go go, he might be decent at it.

I forgot to say this but when I rode Dusty last week I was struck by how the way he walks felt just like the way that a mule walks, with that forward and back motion. Very different than a normal horse.

Any Sacto area people members of any local horse clubs? I need to meet horse people (yes, you know what I'm getting at).

1 comment:

Trailboss said...

I would have her shod and if the terrain is going to be really rocky I would go w/the boots as well. I keep both of my horses shod even though I don't ride as much as I used to.