Let's all see how hippy-horsey we are...

[yak]

I'll start...

My pony is barefoot. I have a treeless saddle (well, okay, part treed if you want to be picky). We have a rope halter and a 12 foot line that we use often. We also have a carrot stick and a savvy string somewhere - however the carrot stick has been modified into a clicker training target.

Not so hippy - I am off to do her second clip of the month - then we will go for a gallop (we have to be rather non-hippy and have a kimblewick in as we can't stop...) ;D

[jenna]

Kira is bitless, treeless and shoeless. Oh, and she has a set of rhythm beads And I didn't back her until she was 4 ...

I ride her bareback occasionally (as she's shaped like an armchair) but only in the field.

Lui is shoeless.

All of them live out 24/7 and the only rugged one is Lui.

I do clicker training with them all.

I used to be on a livery yard and they all thought I was bonkers.

Not hippy - Lui and I do dressage (which is why he's bitted). So he also gets 'neatened up', ie has his mane pulled and tail tidied, so I can plait him. He also gets rugged in the winter because he feels the cold more than the others.

[Laura Chandi]

Haha! Hippy happy horses!! ;D

Hippy: Barefoot, Bitless, Bareback!
Horses live out 24/7, fed fibre diet, avoid chemical wormers and worm count.
Treeless saddles and bareback pads...ride out in a ropey and no saddle and don't care what people think!!
Play with my horses and walk them out as much as I ride them.

Not-so-hippy: rug all but one in the winter (tho never over-rugged) and have treed western saddle.
Ride them!

[yak]

Sept 20, 2009 16:54:44 GMT 1 Laura Chandi said:

Hippy: Barefoot, Bitless, Bareback!

On another board we had the 3 B's - Barefoot, Bitless and Braless!

The first two are achievable, but the last ;D

[carol]

Or as my husband once said..'barefoot, bitless and witless'.....sigh...he doesn't get it!!

[ponyplayperson]

Yes, agree with Laura, Fibre Gold good product but very pricey regardless of who uses it, including Monty!!!!! Also find it's not enuf 2 keep weight on Lady (41) and it does contain molasses which even on a miniscule level I dont want my young natives having. They all do well on cut grass, speedibeet & summer shine winter glow with Calm & Condition added for Lady. About to try Formula for feet as mine r all barefoot & users also claim it's helped retain weight on oldies, reduce itchiness (Stan, or Russell as I call him wiv his fly sheet on) increased vitality (Mist) etc etc so I'll let u kno me findings in due course. Must add that Fast Fibre is a great feed I also use instead of speedibeet outside winter months. Works out very cheap especially for four!!
Change of subject but seeing your home page comments Laura re breeding, my opinion is that 'random breeding' shouldn't b allowed. Perhaps breeding to order but then those horses\ponies could still end up on the scrap heap after they've been used, abused and broken down

[lexy]

we are bitless, treeless and just gone barefoot yesterday!!!!! SCARY!!
live out 24/7 although that might have to change this winter if it gets really wet and his feet need to to dry out.....will see what my EP says.

[Laura Chandi]

Oooh, Lexy! You went and gone all barefoot!!
Hope it's all ok so far....it's sometimes tough but worth sticking with.
Just to reasure you my lot live out and have no access to stabling at all and all do well BF. You can rely on Hoof Boots anyway if not sure and even better if you can provide a dry area where he can hay his hay or something.
Tip: if you do stable him at night then think hard about shavings as they can strip all moisture out of the hoof and they end up the other way by being too dry and brittle; then when horse is turned out it's back into really wet again! Matting is def. the best option as the movement underfoot is stimulating for the sole or maybe straw (if he doesn't eat or have dust allergies! )
Being BF does make you become more imaginative and there are lots of groovy things you can do to create the right enviroment for his hooves....good luck and let us know how it all goes; be really interested to follow his journey!

[lexy]

Thanks Laura, he is doing really well, his feet are so hard and i was expecting him to be lame etc, he is not lame at all, a little sore if i walk him over stones but he is doing so well! I am going to try and leave him out 24/7 as not only do i think it is better for them but it is also so much easier! My EP has advised me to scrub his feet with salt water daily which i am doing and i have just ordered him some formula 4 feet. We will start walking out nxt week with these pad things that i have got to order, but so far all is going well although every one on my yard thinks i have lost the plot!! But im doing very well at ignoring their comments so far!
I will keep you all posted.

[jenna]

Who is your EP, Lexy, if you don't mind me asking?

And you'll get used to the comments ... they tend to shut up when they see how well your horse is doing!

[lexy]

Hi Jenna my EP is Jamie Hickman, and yes i will be very smug when his feet are great and i am riding him barefoot!!

[Laura Chandi]

Brilliant Lexy! So pleased it's going well.
Hmm...the comments...people just can't help having a pop; fingers in ears going 'lalalala' is great for confirming what they want to think- that you're bonkers! hurrah!! ;D

The best one I get is 'why do you put hoof boots on? Isn't that cheating?'.........? WTF?!!!! 'cos of course nailing metal on the bottom of their feet isn't in anyway......
I reply; 'barefoot is a lifestyle for the horse and not about riding for me'...which guarantees the look of confusion disguised by scorn and the accompanying scoff or if they are nice types just a 'oh' ... ;D ;D

It wont always be easy but the rewards are worth all the effort believe me/us!

[Laura Chandi]

....just to add, my 2 girls are out hacking most days for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours without boots at all.
One is a TB who had the most chronic feet and was shod every 3 weeks in her old home!!! She has been barefoot from the minute I brought her home. The other is a very over bred Sec. D who, guess what, had the most chronic feet!! Only about 2 inches depth and really soft with no soles! She still is far from perfect but is sound and happy going out on all terrains; just a bit careful over sharp stones.

So hoof boots, like brushing or overreach boots are just a bit of kit to help out, no different really! X

[lexy]

thanks Laura, u r an inspiration! And everyones comments are really positive and just confirms to me i am doing the right thing!
I watched him tonight after scrubbing his feet and he was walking and standing on stones and not even flinching, i know its early days but im so happy with how it is going.

[jenna]

Ah I know Jamie! He trained at the same time I did. Good lad!