horse shoes – what you may not know

People are always asking me about my horses. Well, they’re fabulous black Friesians that I call Ramon, Rutger, Rinze, Martyn, and Meindert. My Friesians are a draft/warmblood breed, bred in Canada by Harry Witteveen, www.witteveenfriesians.com. The reason I chose such stately horses is because of my interest in driving carriages. These equines are built to pull, but their wide girth also makes for a comfortable and fun saddle ride through the many trails and preserves surrounding my Cantitoe Corners. The team is housed in a magnificent stone stables, which I designed and had constructed. My horses are loved and well cared for under the watchful eye of my stable manager, Betsy Perreten.

Betsy reported to me recently that the shoes of the Friesians were recently changed. You may not know this but a horse requires reshoeing every four to eight weeks! That’s because a hoof grows in length just like a fingernail or toenail does. And when the hoof grows, the shoe will no longer fit correctly. Betsy also told me that the new shoes are winter shoes. Right around Thanksgiving, she likes to fit the horses with special studded shoes that provide extra traction on snow and ice – kind of like a studded snow tire. That makes me feel better riding during winter. And the next time the horses get new shoes, I’ll show you just how it’s done! I promise to post pictures of ALL of my horses soon.

Martyn, looking nice and shiny!

Better traction in the snow

Comments

[PAULINE]

Martha,
You always have interesting information...Even though many of us don't have horses...you never know when this information may come in handly, maybe the winning answer to a board game or that $64,000 question!
Best,
Pauline Mucciaccio

[Margie]

Oh I can see it now, a fresh snow and there goes Martha and horses flying through the snow laughing all the way.
A footnote--the pad on the bottom of the hoof prevents snow from balling up in the cup of the foot. It makes for happier horses and humans on a snowy outing.

[daphne]

I used to have arabian horses. I have never seen shoe like that. Doesnt the frog of the foot need to open so that it can breathe. I always thougth that if it got infected that you could not tell if the horse had thress or not. anyway nice shoeing job. I remember it takes alot of work to keep horeses healthy,.

[Jon Mondrik]

Martha,
What exquisite equine you have my dear. Your Friesians are absolutely beautiful. I have seen them on many pages of MSL, as well as their grand stables. Wasn't last year's Christmas party in the stables or was that Thanksgiving? I have forgotten, but who could forget that glorious stable, the rich colors and textures of the stone, and the spotless interior, the way most stables should look and sadly so many do not.
Take care,
Jon

[Isabella]

can you post pictures of the horses?

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, Your Friesians are absolutely beautiful. I had no idea how often they needed new shoes. It certainly makes sense that their hooves grow rather fast just like our nails. I imagine you have snow by now and thanks to Betsy your horses now have their snowshoes on. Hope you,the dogs and horses have fun in the snow. Jan

[Rhonda]

Hi Martha!

Thanks for sharing this info! Many people don't realize how important a good farrier really is. It's not as simple as slapping shoes on every 6-8 weeks. A bad farrier can ruin your horse.

My Hanovarian has had navicular problems after a career as a hunter-jumper, now we truck him 100 miles to get to a good farrier to try to keep him sound.

I liked the "snow-tire" analogy!

Happy riding,

Rhonda
Our Wedding Plus
Part of Marthas-Circle!

[Stu]

Yes please....Friesian pictures.

[Tracy]

Hi Martha-
I've seen footage of your horses on television. Your Friesians are beautiful. Have you ever considered letting them go barefoot? None of the horses in my barn wear shoes and if they arrive wearing them, they are usually pulled shortly thereafter. The barefoot horse actually has better footing when it crosses over various terrains because it can feel everything. Just a thought.

[Alison]

Hi Martha,

Just saw in a magazine the other day that you did carriage driving. It sort of jumped out of the page like things seem to when you have a particular interest. Unfortunately, there was no photo of your horses so thought I would see if there was any info or photos of them on your website and found this blog.

I only have one 13.1hh Welsh pony and gig, used mainly for pleasure, have done a bit of combined drives, at the moment I take my pony to a local Farmer's Country Market where we give rides. Living only 41km from major City he is quite an attraction and am finding that there are many children who have no contact with horses or for that matter any animals, no pets, sad really.

Would love to see photos of your horses in harness.

I live in in the North Island of New Zealand.

[Chrissey T.]

Hi Martha!

I really do admire your interest in
animals. I saw a picture of your horses last year as a Xmas card. Horses are such magnificent animals.
Looking forward to more pictures of
your horses this year.
Thanks, Chrissey T.

[Sally Doersam]

Dear Martha
I am so happy to hear about your horses and stable. We too have horses,although they are standardbred race horses here in Canada. We live not far from the Witteveens in Puslinch, Ont. I would love to hear in detail more about your stables and exactly how the construction went. What kind of stalls do you have? Is the shedrow also cobblestone? How do you you store the feed for horses? I think alot of your readers would also enjoy learning about the horses.

Thank you
Sally Doersam

[Marcella Mitchell]

I have always wanted a Freisian and I just got my first Freisian Cross Mare. I have had her since January 08. We have always have horses growing up which were mainly TW and Quarter horses and my father always had the TW with shoes. He wants to shoe my Freisian who has never had shoes. I noted that her hoof has a small crack and I think this is why he wants to shoe her. Is there a special shoe for them. I live in South Carolina and we will mainly be trail riding which may occassionally be crossing a paved road or even riding her in the parade. Thanks for your expert advise. I seek your advise in all my hobbies especially my sewing a craft as well as decorating ideas down to my Freisian. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mary]

We have registered Morgans. As we retired, we tried to save a barn in NE, but got a stable instead, so decided we'd get one horse. Instead we were able to get two bred Morgans for the same price. In no time we had 4 horses. This past year I (who has never ridden) trained two foals by staying in the stalls for hours a day and walking them. Our filly was from a Palomino Morgan stud. The colt was too young to geld, so he went to the State Fair and won (against 2 yr olds) Reserve Jr Champion "stud". People came up to them outside the arena and were surprised by their gentleness. Now we have a stallion that needs to be sold, but who is still sweet enough to be kissed on the nose.
Morgans are an American horse made known by "Justin Morgan Had a Horse" by Marguerite Henry, where I saw my 1st Morgan, along with Misty of Chincoteaque. I love working with them.
Our ferrier is a Scandinavian folk dancer!

[amie]

i think horses should have shoes on if they on the road !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sharon Bolt]

I would love the change to work in the barn with the horses. I have raised horses before. But at this time I am looking for that real job. The one were you have some satisfaction. I would love to have the chance to just clean stalls, brush, take in and out of pasture or just be near them if they needed. Please contact me so we can talk. Thanks, Sharon Bolt