Horse Diaries "The Concave Project"

For the past few weeks I have had Gus (my horse) at a boarding stable 8 min away from work, so I can ride on my lunch. I had a thought today after I was done riding of posting a new blog series once a week or so about new things I'm trying with him. It seems us horse people are always "trying" something. It will be a new way for me to document and keep track for myself what I"m trying and if it's working as well as giving you all information.

I have 2 projects going on now but I will start today with "the concave project". For the 1st year of owning Gus I used my regular blacksmith, we also had a very dry summer and we couldn't keep the shoes on.  I finished out that season working with him on the shaping, level, and angle he was shoeing then finally just pulled the shoes and ran barefoot for the last few shows of the season and into the spring.

That next spring I took a blacksmith on from a trustworthy referral, and tried him out in June of last year. John came out and did hot shoes for me after listening to me explain everything I was expecting from him and from my barrel racing season. Last year was the 1st year I was actually joined a group or barrel racing club and wanted to go to the IBRA finals on Gus.  Since his 1st shoeing was no until the 1st of June we started on a late note and were doing the shoes before the big shows, but Gus was still not being as consistent as I would like in shows because of the footing (deep, slick, wet, dry). John asked me to demonstrate a few times how Gus turns the barrels, because he was trained cutter, he doesn't keep the full running motion around the barrels he rocks back on his ass end and pivots on his hind, then lunges forward and out of the pocket. If I only had a video of me doing this right!? He mentioned last year his thought for concave shoes....... but it was too close to major shows for me to want to try something new.

This year I got an early start with both the shoes and riding, as I took Gus to the stable to board in early February, he was shawd just a few days after arriving there. John 1st did the regular hot shoes on the front, and was going to do the back but Gus had an abscess brewing so we made another appointment for a week later. During that time int he the barn John asked me to demonstrate in the arena how Gus ran the barrels again (video please...I know) He then asked if he could hand make Gus a pair of concave shoes, they are good for traction and would help feel more sure footed, and it is early enough in the year that if they don't work, we pull the shoes and go back to what we had. He put the shoes on during my lunch and I went back that night to ride. He hand made 4 concave shoes for Gus to try, and, he didn't even charge me extra because he is so interested to see if these will work for Gus Man!

I went for my ride, Gus felt like a new man, he was all hot and bothered and ready to run. 2 days prior to that I thought I was going to have to change my Congress entry to Novice Western Pleasure instead of Novice Poles!

And there is it, my clear pivot in the dirt in my pocket.

So far I am really excited for these new shoes, I have been hand walking Gus after every work out to check him over. I have also been taking snap shots of his confirmation to ensure that stays in check as well. I should be able tell a little more after the show this weekend at Grizzle Ridge!