Posted 2013-04-29 9:46 AM (#151650) Subject: South Dakota riding and horse shoes??
Veteran
Posts: 123 Location: illinois
This will be our first time to ride in South Dakota,we were told that we need to pad our horses feet. Just wondering if this what we need to do and also do you use borium on the shoes?
Posted 2013-04-29 8:09 PM (#151675 - in reply to #151650) Subject: RE: South Dakota riding and horse shoes??
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Arkansas
Are you coming from a basically non rocky more soil/loam/sand type of footing? It would be good to pad, just good insurance for horses who have no chance to acclimate to it. I like to use tipped nails after arriving, just pull a couple of nails per hoof and replace with tungsten tipped nails. If there is a farrier there that can do it for you... (we are in that business so a non event for here) . If you need to put on borium shoes at home, bed your trailer heavily as the borium will chew up your mats and floors over a longer haul like that. Good luck with your choices and enjoy your trip and ride!
Posted 2013-05-01 8:19 AM (#151718 - in reply to #151650) Subject: RE: South Dakota riding and horse shoes??
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
Where you are going, the type of trails you'll be on, and the shape of the horse's feet, will determine the shoe and padding needed.
The rocks in S Dakota are more granite and abrasive than the mostly sand stone you find in Illinois. Be a good idea to put Borium(DrillTech) on your shoes. I'd recommend the 10-14(fine) grit borium. It is not as hard on the trailer floor, and does an excellent job of preventing slipping and extends the life of the shoes. A 1/2 inch length of borium on the toes and heals of the shoes is normally adequate.
Padding. If your horse's feet are of a shape that puts the sole nearly on the ground, or they are not conditioned to rock riding then you'll probably need pads. I prefer the Vet Tec Equi-Pak padding. It last longer than leather or neoprene padding, and more importantly, when you remove the pads it leaves the sole tougher than before you applied the Vet Tec. Now that may sound strange, but it's a side affect, that I really like.
Posted 2013-05-01 8:24 PM (#151739 - in reply to #151650) Subject: RE: South Dakota riding and horse shoes??
Veteran
Posts: 123 Location: illinois
Sorry!!
We have used borium on our horses when we ride at Shawnee. We had planned on using it in South Dakota we were unsure if we need to use pads or not. It sounds like we should use them.
Posted 2013-05-02 9:48 AM (#151745 - in reply to #151650) Subject: RE: South Dakota riding and horse shoes??
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781 Location: La Cygne, KS
If you don't normally need pads riding in Shawnee or Missouri trails you will be fine in SD. I thought the trails around Custer SD were less rocky and treacherous than some Arkansas and southern Missouri trails we have been on. Most of the trails we rode were only mildly rocky as there were long stretches of just soft gravely dirt. Mt. Rushmore trail can have some more intense rock trails.You'll love SD. Wish we were going this year.
Posted 2013-05-02 3:35 PM (#151748 - in reply to #151745) Subject: RE: South Dakota riding and horse shoes??
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
Shawnee is much easier on the soles than most of Missouri. A lot of Missouri has flint rock, and very hard limestone, that will bruise a sole in a heart beat.
I'd pad and not worry about it. Better safe than sorry, when it's too late.
Posted 2013-05-02 4:52 PM (#151753 - in reply to #151650) Subject: RE: South Dakota riding and horse shoes??
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: central IL
I've used borium for years because I do a lot of road riding. While riding in Shawnee with a friend, her horse slipped crossing pavement since she doesn't use it on her horses' shoes. I think it's much safer when riding there in particular due to the huge rock formations. The only times I've padded when riding out of state have been the many trips to southern MO. I didn't feel pads were necessary riding the trails when camping at Custer. I guess a lot depends on the kind of feet your horse/mule has which might govern a wise decision. My last purebred had lousy feet while my Morab had great ones. The jury is out on the paint.
p.s. If using borium, do check for sharp edges. I failed to do so one year and had a horse stomp flies only to cut his leg open with a razor sharp edge. Luckily, it was superficial but could've been a whole lot worse.
Posted 2013-05-03 4:57 PM (#151765 - in reply to #151753) Subject: RE: South Dakota riding and horse shoes??
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
If you use the 10-14(fine) grit borium, you'll have a lot less trouble with sharp edges and cutting them self or any thing else. Grits less than 8 can really be bad about cutting and, unfortunately, that's the grit most farriers use.
I order my own borium. I use the Hartwell Industries, Carbraz 10-14 composite rod.
Posted 2013-05-04 8:37 AM (#151779 - in reply to #151765) Subject: RE: South Dakota riding and horse shoes??
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: central IL
Bob, Thanks for that information. I had never considered that the borium cut might have been caused by the specific type. I will definitely check with my farrier about the kind he uses and if necessary, do a BYO. Just another reason why I love this forum~great stories, pics and a wealth of information. Again, thanks. Cindi
Posted 2013-05-11 8:36 AM (#151901 - in reply to #151779) Subject: RE: South Dakota riding and horse shoes??
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: central IL
Visit to the farrier Wednesday and learned that he doesn't use borium at all these days. He uses Drilltek. He explained the difference, but I wouldn't do a great job of repeating it here.
Posted 2013-05-11 3:04 PM (#151909 - in reply to #151901) Subject: RE: South Dakota riding and horse shoes??
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
Borium, Drilltec, and Carbraze currently refer to the same product. Technically, they are 3 different products.
The original Borium was a fine particle tungsten carbide in a flux coated rod. This material gives excellent wear and is smooth when applied. Now we also have what is called Stoody Borium. It is also tungsten carbide in a flux coated rod, except it has larger particles of tungsten carbide, and is available in different size grits.
The original Drill-tex is no longer available. The material most people refer to as Drill Tech is a material from Hartwell Industries called Carbraze. It is tungsten carbide particles in a nickel-silver, flux coated rod. It too comes in different particle sizes.
So when they refer to Borium it is hard to tell which one they are talking about. It could be the smooth product or the product with the larger particle tungsten carbide.
The material we have been using for many years is the Carbraze from Hartwell in the fine particle size. It is available in fine, medium and coarse particle.
Posted 2013-05-12 3:36 PM (#151932 - in reply to #151924) Subject: RE: South Dakota riding and horse shoes??
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: central IL
Oh, Bob, if Hubby were to read these posts, I guess you'd have me in deep manure. Actually, I do most of the trips alone or with gal pals. He usually only goes on the long (2+ days) trips. He doesn't ride but has started going on some of the shorter group rides where there are other hubbies along. He is a great help and likes tending to my horse. He does tend to hog the LQ though.
Posted 2013-05-12 7:12 PM (#151939 - in reply to #151932) Subject: RE: South Dakota riding and horse shoes??
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
Cindi, you need to get him a good, really good, gaited horse. One that gives him a rocking chair ride. But then, he'll run away from you, on your arab, and you'll have to get one too.
We raised and bred arabs for many years, before switching to gaited.
Posted 2013-05-13 8:12 PM (#151965 - in reply to #151939) Subject: RE: South Dakota riding and horse shoes??
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 326 Location: central IL
Bob, Here's the deal. When we dated, I went to sporting events with Hubby, and after we married he saw to it that I got a horse. To be polite, he would ride a mile or so with me. That was, until he got bucked off. So he played ball without me in the stands as a spectator, and I rode with a lady who lived out our direction in the country. Riding has never been his thing, and sports have never been mine. Going on 45 years of marriage, and we're both still happy with the arrangement.
I actually like MFT's but was still looking for an Arab. Ended up with a 3 yr old Paint. He's awfully good for only being 3, and I think he'll only get better with age and sweat. Heading off to western MO for a 3 day training in 2 days with Kerry Kuhn and then up to Big River Ranch for a few days of trail riding along the MO River. Looking forward to it.
South Dakota riding and horse shoes??
