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Member
Posts: 26
| I have a 6 year old mare that I bought out of Texas early this year (I am in Pennsylvania). She has always been barefoot, ran great down there without shoes. Since coming up here, I have noticed that she tends to stumble pretty frequently if the ground conditions are not absolutely ideal. Recently, we took a fall behind a third barrel that really scared me.
I notice a significant difference in how she rides on nice ground vs. anything less than nice- she carries herself differently and her confidence level is completely different.
Several people have told me that it is not uncommon for horses to struggle to adjust to the ground up here vs down south, due to the sand content down there. We have a lot of clumps and clay here. Having never been to Texas I just don't know but it sounds logical.
(Want to add that health/lameness issues have been ruled out)
I am contemplating putting shoes on her to help with traction/confidence holding the ground here. Can anyone chime in on suggestions? I am hearing a lot of good stuff about the Razerhorse shoes- anyone have experience with these, or any other suggestions to help us out?
Thanks! |
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 Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
   
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | Sounds like your horse has good feet so Razers might work for you. Jolene and Fallon use them and are sponsored by them but they have been a love it or hate it product.
I used them and think they are a good concept. But if you have any foot lameness issues I dont think they work. They seem to be for great footed horses that the human prefers more traction. They do not protect the foot in any way. Just traction and natural flex like the bare hoof. |
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Member
Posts: 26
| Thank you for the info! Yes, her feet are in great shape and have no issues being barefoot other than myself wanting some more traction and confidence for both of us. |
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Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | Just make sure you find a farrier experienced in applying them.  |
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 "Tamer of the Fiery Dragon"
Posts: 5418
Location: Depends where the next barrel race is..... | I have used them ever since they have come out. You need a shoer that has put them on, or one that is willing to learn how to. I don't think they are as sticky in the hind end as rim shoes. My mare that was bouncing, started giving me nice stops after we switched. I used to have to inject her feet regularly, and haven't had to ever since I switched. You have some slide coming into a barrel, but traction leaving. If warm up pen is rocky, I will put on boots or if I know the arena is rocky, I use sole guard. Love them. |
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"Tamer of the Fiery Dragon"
Posts: 5418
Location: Depends where the next barrel race is..... | TurnLane - 2015-08-11 8:15 AM Just make sure you find a farrier experienced in applying them.
Totally agree. When I first started using them, my farrier watched the video and then they had a seminar and he came up to that too. They are not hard, just different. We always grind the heels shorter on Princess or she will catch them. They also need a different nail. Most shoers have them, but not all. They have to be fit tight. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | I don't have any experience with RazorHorse shoes but just wanted to throw this out there. If the mare is barefoot and of course barefoot is probably the healthiest way to keep your horse if possible but if not I think I would try to stay as close to that as possible. Maybe try the Razer or a regular rim shoe on the front only and see if that works. Just a thought to maybe help keep your mares feet as healthy as possible and the cost down as well. That being said, please do not flame me, I know some horses must be shod, I have one, just sounds like this mare may benefit with a little help but not all four. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2049
Location: Utah | I used them on one of my horses (because of foot issues, I was told not to use them on the other) and for her, I felt like they had a lot of grab on the back end. She started to really bounce through her turns when she had them on and got sore on me. Now in hind sight, I know she had another issue going on, but I think the grab in these shoes brought it to a head really quick. However, I would be willing to try them again. |
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Member
Posts: 26
| Thanks everyone for the input! Her hooves are in great shape and I don't want to ruin that, which is why I liked the sort of minimalist concept on the Razers. Has anyone used these on just fronts?
As far as farriers go- Is this something that my regular farrier could watch a video and figure out, or do I need to find someone "certified"? May be difficult in my area.
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Member
Posts: 26
| Also, Am I even thinking along the right track for a horse that stumbles on bad ground? I wouldn't say that she "slips" often, just tends to take somewhat of a misstep and stumbles forward, usually easily catches herself, with the exception of the recent fall. Any other ideas for stumbling in general? She is 6 but doesn't have a ton of time on barrels yet, minimal hauling. Does it improve with experience and more runs? |
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Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | To me it sounds like long toes more than traction? Without seeing her. Or maybe even arthritis like she isnt getting her ankles flexed quick enough or something along those lines. If you are getting my barefoot- that is a gift from God. IMO. I wouldnt mess with shoes. |
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 "Hottie"
Posts: 1373
Location: Okemah,OK | aadams4545 - 2015-08-11 1:26 PM
Also, Am I even thinking along the right track for a horse that stumbles on bad ground? I wouldn't say that she "slips" often, just tends to take somewhat of a misstep and stumbles forward, usually easily catches herself, with the exception of the recent fall. Any other ideas for stumbling in general? She is 6 but doesn't have a ton of time on barrels yet, minimal hauling. Does it improve with experience and more runs?
Not trying to overreact but had a friend dealing with situation like this and horse had EPM. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | TurnLane - 2015-08-11 4:04 PM
To me it sounds like long toes more than traction? Without seeing her. Or maybe even arthritis like she isnt getting her ankles flexed quick enough or something along those lines. If you are getting my barefoot- that is a gift from God. IMO. I wouldnt mess with shoes.
This is an excellent suggestion to check. I live in Texas. My horses run/work in all types of ground, sandy, black pasture dirt etc (Texas isn't just sand country) and IF they do by chance stumble or take a mis-step it's usually because they are at the end of their shoe/trim cycle and need their toes pulled back. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 628
Location: Missouri | aadams4545 - 2015-08-11 9:26 AM
I have a 6 year old mare that I bought out of Texas early this year (I am in Pennsylvania). She has always been barefoot, ran great down there without shoes. Since coming up here, I have noticed that she tends to stumble pretty frequently if the ground conditions are not absolutely ideal. Recently, we took a fall behind a third barrel that really scared me.
I notice a significant difference in how she rides on nice ground vs. anything less than nice- she carries herself differently and her confidence level is completely different.
Several people have told me that it is not uncommon for horses to struggle to adjust to the ground up here vs down south, due to the sand content down there. We have a lot of clumps and clay here. Having never been to Texas I just don't know but it sounds logical.
(Want to add that health/lameness issues have been ruled out)
I am contemplating putting shoes on her to help with traction/confidence holding the ground here. Can anyone chime in on suggestions? I am hearing a lot of good stuff about the Razerhorse shoes- anyone have experience with these, or any other suggestions to help us out?
Thanks!
This, this right here is EXACTLY what i went through when I bought my mare out of Texas. I'm from Missouri, and bought a mare out of East Texas who ran barefoot down there and just couldn't stand up here in Missouri. She went from 1-D to 2-D. Here's what I did: My farrier took borium and welded pieces on her heels and toe. We then put rims on the front for added traction and I haven't looked back. She has the traction she needs and she can now stand up. Now, I still don't run her on anything less than ideal ground mainly because I don't like small races or rodeos, but the change in shoeing really helped. If you feel comfortable trying the Razer shoes then go for it. I have heard they add plenty of traction.
Good luck!!  |
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 Employee of the month
Posts: 7657
Location: gone crazy! | My husband was approached by a client about them. He looked into them & we decieded to try them before telling our clients about them. I had to eventually take them off.
I LOVED them as far as getting them to break over faster & really moving out. Both mares were in excellent shape and just lacked a little something i figured it would give them snappy-ness. They didn't like them when turning the barrel. Maybe the "grips" Im not sure. I also couldn't get them to use their body like a barrel horse should. They would almost tip toe around the barrels. I let them get used to them at home (2 weeks period) made a few cruise thru's at home, again to let them get a feel for them. Entered a Rodeo & it cost me a lot of time. She literally felt like she was crow hopping around the barrels lol.
I honestly think it depends on the horse. This mare Im talking about. didn't like them on either front or back. My young mare didn't like them on the back but the fronts were ok to her. I just chose not to use them at all.
You almost have to think how can they properly stop with those grips on the back shoes like that.
Just my thoughts.
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