Competing in 3 shoes

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MagicMelon

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Horse has lost a front shoe, he's entered for a local 2'6 XC on Sunday which is our practice for his first intro of the season next weekend. Now, I have phoned the farrier and left a pleading message - however, its doubtful he'll come out in time! I have never competed with a shoe missing, however I rode him today and he was absolutely fine as he's only just had shoes back on after a winter barefoot (he doesnt get foot sore at all). The ground will be soft on Sunday, so... in your opinion would you consider doing it but taking it easy? Id normally pull out however with working all next week, I know I wont get any XC practice if I dont go on Sunday and he does need it as he's still quite green.
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its not ideal and as you know he will feel uneven, depends how desperately you want to go, will there b a farrier at the competition? if his foot is holding together and yes its soft im sure he would be fine, ive had one pull shoe in trailer it trotted up sound so tbh i still jumped it.
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Damn it, I figured as much. Dunno of any other farriers, not any who'd come out at such short notice! No farriers will be at the event, however the event IS near my farrier so Im *HOPING* he'll meet me there...!!
 
You know your horse, I've done it on mine before now, I have one I couldn't even make walk on the yard without shoes on and the other is tough as old boots and was fine doing a show with 3 shoes on (also lost a front). Was at a yard with an old eventing lady (the sort that went round badminton in the 60s) and she used to not worry in the slightest if one of hers lost a shoe, if they were entered they were going and they were the toughest soundest horses I've ever met! lol!
 
Personally no I wouldn't compete with a front shoe missing.

What kind of going did you ride him on today when he seemed absolutely fine? Compare that to what you will have to ride him on at the weekend. Will he have to make his way across a gravel car park for example?

At the end of the day you know how your horse goes, but just make sure you consider any risks. You don't want to blow your chances of competing at Intro because next weekend he managed to bruise a sole (or similar) this weekend.
 
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Damn it, I figured as much. Dunno of any other farriers, not any who'd come out at such short notice! No farriers will be at the event, however the event IS near my farrier so Im *HOPING* he'll meet me there...!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Ring your farrier - most try to be as accomodating and helpful as possible. Mine has shod a horse at 7.00am in the morning to hunting that day - after pulling a shoe off the night before.

But obviously - no you wouldn't compete it without a full set of shoes on........
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If your horse isn't in the habit of pulling them off, then your farrier should come out pretty quickly to put it back on, and in this case I think you can plead. Could you offer to take the horse to his forge? The evenings are light now, so he could do it after work if he was minded to.
 
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