Granddad and granddaughter / myLot

Rockingham, Australia

July 29, 2023 8:54pm CST

We attended another endurance ride yesterday and the grandfather and his granddaughter rode together again. She is riding the horse with the orange stains on its legs. The stains come from the paste they use on the legs to help keep it sound. You can see a sponge tied to the saddle behind the girl rider’s left leg. When they get to one of the checkpoints, she’ll use the sponge to wipe down the sweaty parts of the horse. There is water at the checkpoints for ‘strapping’ the horse. Many horses now wear removable boots rather than more permanent horse-shoes. However the boots sometimes come off so she has a spare pair tied under her stirrups so her legs aren’t quite as long as they may appear.

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11 responses

Eva James

@wolfgirl569 (136091)

• Marion, Ohio

30 Jul 23

I like the idea of the boots. Great photo

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Eva James

@wolfgirl569 (136091)

• Marion, Ohio

30 Jul 23

@JudyEv A backpack would be useful

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382693)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jul 23

Some take a backpack. The 80 kms people start off perhaps with jumpers, coats, gloves, etc then discard them as they warm up. They can leave gear at the checkpoints but some manage with a backpack or whatever.

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George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (122379)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

30 Jul 23

Thank you for sharing this post. Taking care of horses is wonderful.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382693)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jul 23

The riders have a very good relationship with their horses.

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George B Vieto

@Deepizzaguy (122379)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

30 Jul 23

@JudyEv That is good to know.

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Amber

@AmbiePam (121278)

• United States

30 Jul 23

What prompted the move from traditional horse shoes to removable boots? It seems kinder, but then I was always told horses didn’t feel the process. Is it just safer?

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Amber

@AmbiePam (121278)

• United States

30 Jul 23

@JudyEv Thanks for explaining it to me!

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382693)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 Jul 23

@AmbiePam You're welcome.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382693)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jul 23

With horse-shoes, they need to be replaced about every six weeks as the hooves are continually growing and it's true that the horse doesn't feel any pain. However, shoeing is expensive and good farriers are hard to find. And if the horse isn't working on hard ground, he might only need shoes at special times. So boots were invented with the idea that they could be put on before a ride and taken off after. But they come with their own problems. Some are hard to put on and off; some fall off too easily (although some can be glued on) and some rub.

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rebelann1949

@rebelann (117284)

• El Paso, Texas

30 Jul 23

I'll bet the granddaughter will treasure this shot for decades to come.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382693)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 Jul 23

I'm sure she will. They will probably be able to do quite a few rides together before the grandad gives up.

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rebelann1949

@rebelann (117284)

• El Paso, Texas

31 Jul 23

I'll bet he won't give up

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Four Walls

@FourWalls (86944)

• United States

30 Jul 23

That’s a lovely photo in so many ways, starting with the generational bonding.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382693)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jul 23

They run an Arab stud and had three family and two friends all riding horses they'd bred themselves so that's a pretty big effort.

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Ron Rybs

@Ronrybs (21492)

• London, England

31 Jul 23

I was wondering what was going on with her stirrups!

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382693)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Aug 23

I thought I should explain it as front on they do look strange. The orange legs I've explained a few times too. lol

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Ron Rybs

@Ronrybs (21492)

• London, England

1 Aug 23

@JudyEv That was another thing I'd not seen before

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OceanTiara

@RebeccasFarm (91297)

• United States

30 Jul 23

Aw that is a beautiful photo of them both Judy.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382693)

• Rockingham, Australia

31 Jul 23

She has a very 'young' face but I think she must be about 12.

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Judy Story

@jstory07 (148798)

• Roseburg, Oregon

30 Jul 23

The granddad and granddaughter make a good pair.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382693)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jul 23

It's a great common love that they're sharing.

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Anna

@LadyDuck (502956)

• Italy

30 Jul 23

Interesting that now horses wear removable boots, this is something I did not know, but I can clearly see those boots in this photo.

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Anna

@LadyDuck (502956)

• Italy

30 Jul 23

@JudyEv I am sure there is not an ideal solution, I hope the boots are good for the horses.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382693)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jul 23

More and more are resorting to boots but they come with their own problems. Some now glue the boots on which sometimes works better.

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LindaOH

@LindaOHio (222986)

• United States

30 Jul 23

Great photo. How sweet that granddaughter and granddad are riding together. Surprised to hear that horses are wearing boots now instead of horseshoes. Enjoy your day.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382693)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jul 23

It's lovely that she's able to ride with her grandfather.

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