California Race track, allowing horses to race shoeless..

Interesting information:

CALIFORNIA HORSE RACING BOARD - RULES NOTICED TO THE PUBLIC:

Quote :

RULE 1853. EXAMINATION REQUIRED.
SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF THE REGULATION
The proposed amendment to Rule 1853, Examination Required, will add subparagraph (b)(1) through (3) which
would allow a thoroughbred horse to run without horseshoes provided that its unshod participation is declared at
the time of entry and noted in the official program.
NECESSITY
Board Rule 1853, Examination Required, states that no horse shall be eligible to start in a race if it is found to
be improperly shod. Currently the rule prohibits any horse from racing unshod; however, there exists a school
of thought that an unshod horse is a healthier, happier horse. The natural hoof, according to this belief, has
evolved to provide the optimal amount of traction, shock absorption, and protection; therefore, wearing metal
horseshoes may not always be the best option for a horse, particularly in a race. Persons who subscribe to this
philosophy embrace the option to race unshod horses. The hoof of a horse is a complex vascular organ; when
left unshod, blood circulation is not impeded. A properly cared for, unshod hoof has also been shown to
naturally respond to and repair the wear it receives on a daily basis.
The proposed amendment to Rule 1853 will eliminate the mandatory horseshoe requirement which will allow
an unshod thoroughbred horse to participate in a race provided that the horse’s “unshod” participation in such
race is declared at time of entry and noted in the official program. As stated in (b)(3), for the purposes of the
regulation, “unshod” means running without horseshoes on the front or back feet or all around. The variety of
options to race unshod will allow a trainer to decide which option is best for each individual horse in his or her
care.
The following thirteen racing jurisdictions currently allow a horse to race unshod under certain conditions:
Delaware; Idaho; Illinois; Indiana, Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Michigan; New Hampshire; New
York; Virginia and Wyoming.
In the jurisdictions that permit a horse to run barefoot, most horses that race and win are properly fitted with
horseshoes; however, there are occurrences in which unshod horses have won or placed. Because racing a
horse unshod is not nearly as common as racing one with horseshoes, it is important that the condition in which
a horse runs be made known to the wagering public. Of the states that allow a horse to run unshod, it is most
common that the condition is first approved and then announced, either by loud speaker or posted in print, for
the public. Subparagraph (b) requires declaration of a horse’s condition at the time of entry. Subparagraph
(b)(1) requires a trainer to declare at time of entry if a thoroughbred horse that raced unshod in its previous race
will race with horseshoes. These two sections ensure consistency in how and when the information regarding
the horse is reported, as well as ensure a horse’s unshod condition makes publication deadlines to be included in
the official program. The reporting of any changes to a horse from one start to the next is important because it
provides the wagering public with information necessary to assist them in their wagering decisions.
Subparagraph (b)(2) requires that any declaration made under (b) and (b)(1) shall be noted in the official
program, and shall state if the horse will race without horseshoes in the front or back or all around. Under
CHRB Rule 1454, Board May Direct Notices on Program, the Board may direct associations to publish in the
program any information and notices to the public as it deems fit. The official program is the medium that
provides necessary information to the wagering public to assist them in their wagering decisions.
The remaining amendments to Rule 1853 are for grammatical and format purposes only.

Other performance horses
Jordon Peterson and "Frenchman's Jester"
http://barrelhorses.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1801&Itemid=40

Jordon on You tube breaking an arena record:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjzrO-9VI8Y

And this young girl is kicking butt in the Youth at Congress etc (2-time Quarter Horse Congress Champion)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl2gepvkpQ4&feature=channel_page

:EX.gif:

I was at Woodbine a few months ago and there were Thoroughbreds that were listed in the program as barefoot. I asked someone that turned out to be a trainer if it was common for horses to run barefoot. He said no it was not very common, but a few trainers are giving it a try.

They are paying closer attention now..
It is an interesting process to watch unfold. Over the past couple of years, synthetic/artificial tracks are being used... The theory is, it is suppose to be easier on the limbs, more cushion compared to dirt tracks, less concussion on the legs etc?.

Horses' feet and limbs and body work BEST on a solid surface, not forgiving surfaces... (We see more incidences of tendon and ligament injuries in deeper forgiving footing.. more over-reaches, more muscle pulls etc).

Actually, your more crusher dust footing, (like we see on the Standardbred tracks) would be better...

However, they are finding much more hind limb break downs on these artificial tracks. In the meantime...they are just starting to allow the horses to race barefoot. (they do not indicate if the breakdowns are shod or barefoot... )

http://hoofcare.blogspot.com/2009/08/california-statistics-reveal-dangerous.html

Quote :

Data on racing breakdowns compiled by the University of California at Davis tracks the incidence of injuries, the seasonality of injuries and which limb is affected, among many other data points recorded. A publication of recent statistics presented to the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) reveals a disturbing prevalence of hind limb injuries that led to the death of racehorses last year.

While the report is not available at present, the Los Angeles Times today reported that the study presented to the CHRB yesterday reveals that 19 horses died on California tracks from hind limb injuries in 2008, and that those injuries were split pretty evenly between left and right hinds. Only one horse died from a hind limb injury on a dirt track.

Breakdowns on the front limbs were somewhat more comparable between dirt and artificial tracks, but the artificial breakdowns still exceeded the dirt tracks: 74 horses broke down in front on artificial tracks while 59 broke down in front on dirt tracks.

I would like to see the barefoot horses race on the DIRT tracks... and see what the outcome is. (There are horses in Europe already doing this... Most have been given up on as they keep losing, but after transition, they are back in the winner's circle..)

Also on that note... more and more Inventors keep coming up with shoes that mimic as close as possible to what a barefoot does. It is coming to light FINALLY, that the foot and leg work best when not inhibited.

http://hoofcare.blogspot.com/2009/09/dubai-horse-hooves-are-being-molded-not.html

http://www.quixshoe.com/home.html

Quote :

This has been a big year for plastic and composite horseshoes. First Curlin won the great classics of his four-year-old career last fall wearing square-toed Polyflex shoes of polyurethane. Then Ravel won the World Cup of dressage wearing plastic Eponashoes. This week, the venerable Horse and Hound news magazine from London carries a feature article touting the popularity of plastic shoes, especially the clever Andrew Poynton's sporty new Imprint models, in Europe.

Non invasive natural shoeing. The shoe is now an extension of the horse's hoof.
50 % less chance of problems from shoeing. No nails, no sole pressure, no bad shaping. Correct trimming of the hoof is still essential.
Nailed on horseshoes do not expand and contract with the hoof in motion, the constant wear and consequent pain factor in the heels is eliminated.
The purpose of a horseshoe is to protect and for traction. Quix Customs do just that.
The world has advanced with new technology, horseshoeing is still the same since the dark ages, why should horses not benefit from new technology and materials.
Endless applications for therapeutic shoeing lame horses
What would you rather wear ? a heavy metal based shoe or shock absorbing rubber

Seems like a lot of work for the protection that a boot can easily provide, and still not need to be on 24/7, but it IS a step in the right direction to limit the amount of injuries caused by the hoof not being able to work properly.


More on the subject: This horse just won 2nd and 1st place in his first two races after only being barefoot for 7 weeks.




Barrel Racer world Champion in WPRA 2008

http://www.tribeequus.com/barrel.html