Meadow's Feet

Here's a post, regarding Meadow's feet, for those who are curious:

Meadow has been barefoot for 6 years.  Hannah trims her feet herself, aiming to achieve the wild horse hoof-shape recommended by Pete Ramey in his 2006 New York clinic.  The goal is to make it across the country with the pony barefoot, in hopes of promoting this method.  Meadow started off sound, but the sidewalks have been catching up with her, rubbing her sole at the toe.  She is tip-toeing a bit in the front, which indicates soreness, and threatens to perpetuate the toe-rubbing problem. (A 'heel-first' landing is ideal.)

Here is a set of pictures taken after just 8 miles.  These will serve as "before" shots for the trip.  The feet are dry and beginning to shine, which is a good thing, but there is some extra wear at the toe that is worrisome.  Thank you, Asheville resident Jennifer, for the sidewalk photo shoot.

A pair of rubber transition boots may be needed to encourage Meadow to walk heel-first.  Such a landing expands the foot with each step, which maximizes circulation and in turn increases growth over time.  We believe a proper heel-first landing facilitates fast-enough growth to make up for wear.  This will be in a list of questions used to bombard Pete when we get to his town in Georgia.

Left front

 

Left front underneath

 

Right front

 

Right front underneath: The round hole in the "frog" (triangle-shaped pad in the center of the foot) indicates a shedding layer. The frogs shed each time outer hoof wall is removed.

 

Right hind

 

Right hind underneath