irish_only
Well-Known Member
Just curious?
Yes I wear shoes myself. But then, I don't have hooves.
Only when I have to, i'm always barefoot at home and I go running in these
http://www.vibramfivefingers.it/eng/default.aspx
Neither did Zola Budd.
Zola Budd/Pieterse wore shoes almost all the time. She only went barefoot occasionally to run on certain surfaces.
So shoes worn for gravel/tarmac and barefoot on grass?
It's a matter of choice isn't it? Obviously, people and horses' feet are quite different.
But then, I assume your original question was tongue in cheek.
Isn't it interesting how we are all quite happy to describe humans as "barefoot" but how many people take exception to describing horses as barefoot and insist that they are "shoeless"??
Let your feet do what they were designed to do.
Why?
Main advantages
Gait:
Shoes have altered the natural gait of human movement. Rather than landing on the forefoot or midfoot, shoes create the tendency to heel strike. When the heel takes the main force of walking or running the shock is absorbed by the joints and can cause ankle, knee and back problems. Minimal footwear supports a natural forefoot or midfoot landing where the muscles absorb the shock.
Ground Feel:
Although most people don't want to feel what they are walking on, there are some major benefits. Our feet are loaded with nerves that send instant feedback to our brains when our foot makes contact with the ground. This feedback alerts our brains of what we are stepping on and our bodies automatically alter gait, weight distribution, and balance depending on what specific terrain is underfoot. When the situation permits, it's great to go totally barefoot.
Freedom:
Not only are your feet allowed to breathe and move in a natural way but you are liberated from the need to always wear cumbersome shoes.
Stronger muscles
As your feet work and flex as they were meant to the muscles get stronger and stronger. At first your feet may become sore just like any muscle that is being worked out. Remember that your feet have probably been protected in shoes all your life and have become weakened.
Better Balance
As your muscles become stronger your balance improves. Your feet are able to read the terrain that you are walking on and are more empowered to react to keep your center of gravity where it belongs. This doesn't happen overnight but give it time and your balance will improve.
And next time someone posts on here that they are going to have to have their horse PTS due to a foot problem (that could be sorted out by going barefoot) - perhaps I should just not reply because it ruffles a few feathers?
substitute the words 'human' and foot' with 'horse' and 'hoof'
sound familar?