There’s No Best Way To Shoe Barrel Racers

Pat Burton says farriers need to watch how horses approach the barrels before deciding on what shoes to use. The Burleson, Texas, farrier says some horses come into the barrel and sit down and slide while others don’t slide at all. “You can’t shoe all of these horses the same way,” says Burton. “Watch the horse and shoe him for his needs. You also need to be aware that when you’re dealing with barrel horses, you’re dealing with barrel racers. How they ride a horse can make a big difference in how you need to trim and shoe that horse.”

What To Do When A Horse Is Scalping?

Scott Morrison says scalping occurs when the horse’s front foot connects with his hind leg on the same side during the flight phase of the stride at high speeds. The equine vet and farrier at the Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., defines scalping as the foot hitting at the coronary band; speed cutting if it strikes the pastern; and shin hitting if it hits higher. He says beveling the edges of shoes will provide more clearance. If the horse is base-narrow, shoeing to widen his stance may help. If the horse is cow-hocked and toes out behind, lowering the outside heels on the hind feet may help.

Turf Performs Well Compared To Dirt Or Synthetic Track Surfaces

While synthetic tracks are becoming more popular, Andrew Clarke says turf continues to be…