From Cheryl Searer:
The most recent ride was Nov. 30, Valley of the Sun, Scottsdale. Fast ride and sandy. Came in 8th, was in 2nd place at the 25 but got off trail in the second half. Rode Quicksilver. No boot problems. Color, red, size 1 and 2 in the front and 0 in the back. Been using red since we started barefoot 16 months ago.
I have bought 3 sets of boots in 16 months. I wear the fronts out faster because I don’t use boots in the back when conditioning all the time. Silver has very hard feet. Before I started with the boots, he was lame more than sound. He has a club foot in the front. Has experienced 2 quarter cracks in his lifetime and a suspensory. Since going barefoot he has changed his stride big time. At first he experienced sore muscles behind because he was moving differently. He now has a very big trot.
Verdytk MBN is my back-up horse. He has wonderful feet so going to the boots did not change his way of going. He wears 2 in the front and 0 in the back. I started with greens and switched to the copper. I have bought 2 sets of boots for him, but he has not been ridden as much. This next season, Silver gets a rest and Verdytk will be competing.
I do use 3 bands on all the straps so I don’t worry about straps coming apart. Before a race I always put new toe straps on every boot. I always wash boots in soapy water after every use and do not dry in the sun.
2008 AERC Results for Quicksilver MBN
Old Pueblo – 50- 4th and BC
Devil Dog – 60 – 7th, very rocky ride, I was so glad I had the boots, many people pulled.
Virgin Rim – 50 – 6th
Valley of the Sun – 50 – 8th, went with a lot of speed on this ride.
2008 AERC Results for Verdykt MBN
Old Pueblo – 55 – 1st and BC
I want to thank Gina and Kirt for all their help in my horses’ success.
Cheryl