It's About The Horse

bit · Member Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 4356 Location: Kansas

Just got Gunner some new gloves, and the gators are pretty darn nice. Kelsey said they were the new non rubbing ones. You can order just the gators for 20, and I think I will get some for Eclipse's boots. She does rub a bit if they aren't on very, very tight. Also the trick for not rubbing, according to Kelsey, make em tight. Gunner seems to be transitioning pretty well to barefoot in our pasture, but I think he'd be pretty sore if I took him out without his boots. Also got the thin line pads, which (according the Kelsey) last longer, don't break down, and offer a lot more cush. Wish I could figure out what kind of material it was and I'd order a sheet of it and just cut out my horsey pads. 10 bucks a pair and they don't last forever.
_________________
"It was once said I should clear my head for one cannot ride a Thoroughbred. Hot they are. And too fast they be. Forever on the fly. But I stayed the course and have no remorse. I love my off the track racehorse!"

Kim Cassidy · Member Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 207 Location: Tucson

I would seriously reconsider the "make them tight" recommendation. Think about all the veins, arteries and nerves that are bundled throughout the lower limb. Also think of all the friction that the SDFT, the DDFT, the Extensor tendons and the Suspensory need to do their job.

Making anything tight wrapped around that area could and does cause problems.

Please be careful.

creekwood · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 4:04 pm Post subject:

Hi Kim!
Keep in mind that the gators cover a large area, so the pressure is distributed. I certainly agree it's possible to make them TOO tight, but you'd really have to work at it. I've NEVER heard of it causing a problem, and I'm around a lot of endurance people who put hundreds of miles in them. I know people who have done 5 day, 250 mile rides in them.
It's always good to be careful though

_________________
Kelsey

"Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence" ~Abigail Adams

RickB. · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 7:43 pm Post subject:

Can someone explain how to determine when a gaiter is 'tight' but not 'too tight'?

I can easily visualize someone pulling that gaiter so tight that it does exactly what Kim has warned about. And, regardless of the size(its all relative, right?) of the area the gaiters cover, the potential [and probable] damage the "make them tight" recommendation presents makes me wonder why anyone who uses their head for more than a hat rack would even consider it. Then again, I am accustomed to working with, for the most part, horsemen/women who coincidentally own and/or train horses.

One good example of such a person is LeahH.( http://www.belhavenequinesolutions.com/Main_Site/Home_Page.html ) Leah is a brilliant attorney who on her journey towards recognition and acknowledgment as a true horsewoman, has discovered that hoof care and equine management in general, is not a 'one trick pony' and as a result has cast away the natterings and often injurious practices of a whole host of barefoot trimming/training guru's d' jour.

Leah, unlike so many who are involved with horses, understands that "if you think education is expensive, try ignorance" is more, much more than a catchy axiom.

Someone should invite her to join these forums.

creekwood · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 8:14 pm Post subject:

I use my head for a hemet rack more than a hat rack.

Not sure why Leah is being brought up?? Does she have an opinion about gaiters we should know about?
.
_________________
Kelsey

"Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence" ~Abigail Adams

bit · Member Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 4356 Location: Kansas

lol, Leah was here, and although I always loved her great insight into the horses hoof, she did tend to go ...how do I say this nicely? I'm laughing because I don't want to be mean, but man Leah can be a pill.
_________________
"It was once said I should clear my head for one cannot ride a Thoroughbred. Hot they are. And too fast they be. Forever on the fly. But I stayed the course and have no remorse. I love my off the track racehorse!"

RickB. · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 8:40 pm Post subject:

RickB. · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 8:47 pm Post subject:

Kim Cassidy · Member Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 207 Location: Tucson

The reason I posted a warning is due to observational experiences (is that a sentence?).

I've come out to work on horses feet and seen boots fitted waaaaay too tight, that includes gaiters.

I've also found that the boots work for some horses but not for others. It really does depend on the foot shape.

Both the Easyboots and the Renegades were created using Arabs as their hoof models. The Old Mac's not so much (created in England or Australia). The Old Mac's are good for rehab but very clunky for riding.

Before anyone's bottoms get in a wad, I know that some ADORE their boots. I'm just asking for the horses sake to please pay close attention when fitting and/or making extremely tight. There just isn't a lot of stuff in the equine distal limb and we need to protect it.

Leah IS a PITA, but I don't know if you want to take my advice on it as I'm an even bigger one. My grammar and punctuation are horrid compared to hers. :D

The message is lost many times due to the messenger. But I will remind many of a quote that I enjoy oft repeating.

How someone treats you is His (or Her) Karma, how you react/respond is yours.

bit · Member Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 4356 Location: Kansas

creekwood · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 10:25 pm Post subject:

oops, oops, that was me above! I'm stealing Bits computer, & that's the second time I've done that today

_________________
Kelsey

"Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence" ~Abigail Adams

RickB. · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 10:31 pm Post subject:

calatar · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 10:32 pm Post subject:

Lol, bad Kelsey!

Rick I see where you are coming from but I have yet to see any rubs with my gloves either. I am able to get a pinkie between the gaiter and the pastern.
_________________
Alayna

"Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it." -Andre Gide

"It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not." -Andre Gide

creekwood · Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 10:50 pm Post subject:

Kim Cassidy · Member Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 207 Location: Tucson

Kelsey:

I'm not just talking about how the boot fits the bottom of the hoof capsule. I'm looking at the heel bulbs, their prominence or lack thereof. Also at how the boot is affecting the coronet band.

There are many places for "tightness" to occur. Also lets not forget the toe extension that every boot adds.