Interesting study done by a farrier

learningthedance · Interesting study done by a farrier

on circulation and shoes.

http://www.americanfarriers.com/p...Stephen-Teichman-%28Part-2%29.php

I hope in their next set of studies, they will do a comparison using several different shoes, not just the Heart bar shoe.

hmmmm, very interesting.

EDIT TO ADD: Although, they might be hesitant to publish those results.

Mandy'sMarty

Sounds like this was a breakthrough in understanding for this farrier of 37 years. The horse's hoof is a very interesting model of fluid dynamics. I believe there is a huge misunderstanding about the impact of rigid shoes on the horse's circulation. Most of the ongoing arguments between barefoot advocates and shoeing advocates miss the point. I believe that attaching a rigid shoe on the hoof will change that horse's circulation, not necessarily dramatically reduce it. I still believe that it will compromise the natural function of the hoof...and the horse.

It is my understanding that a barefoot horse will 'pulse down' faster after intense exercise than it would if it were shod. Suggesting the benefit of a more efficient fluid dynamic system. This is the strategy that I rely on when competing my barefoot Morgan mare against the Arabians in distance riding. We typically have been in the extreme minority as barefoot or booted competitors in races dominated by shod Arabians. We have been able to quickly pulse down, achieve the target heart rates and score very high on the metabolic checks required in our sport.

RickB.

How do those shod Arabians do?