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What are the pros and cons of "Mustang Rolls?"

12K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  GreenBackJack 
#1 ·
Cinny has nice black hooves that are in good healthy shape. He has no shoes and has NEVER had shoes his entire life. I mostly ride in soft arena with an occasional ride on trail. Unfortunately to get to the trail you have to go on a gravel road off and on. Cinny never seems tender footed on the gravel road however when we get back his hooves are usually splintered and have small superficial cracks at the bottom. I am going to be working on more trail riding this summer so I am a little concerned about continued hoof health but I really don't want to put shoes on him.

I've been considering finding a good farrier who is proficient with Mustang Rolls to try him out and see if this helps. I will admit now that I know nothing about mustang rolls except that they look to me to be a little tougher and since they are rounded look like they wouldn't splinter at the bottom on the gravel like the perfectly filed flat surface does.

Thank you for your opinions.
 
#2 ·
I've been considering finding a good farrier who is proficient with Mustang Rolls to try him out and see if this helps.
I'd say that there is no real proficiency associated with putting a bit of radius (mustang roll) at the distal edge of a horses hoof to avoid chipping and breakage. It's not a specialized skill set as some trimmers would have you believe. It's just a basic part of elementary farriery.

It's akin to some car wash marketing themselves as "special" because they mix the wash water with this special stuff called.... soap.

As to "pros and cons of mustang rolls" (your thread title)... well, most domestic horses aren't feral mustangs living in the American west and it's just silly that we give a "special name" to something so basic.

Cheers,
Mark
 
#5 ·
Rolling/beveling the edge has always been part of any barefoot trim I've ever seen. Even so, riding a barefoot horse over rough ground/rocks will always result in minor cosmetic chipping/cracking/etc.
 
#6 ·
There's a whole lot more to sound barefoot hooves than a "mustang roll." I am a huge fan of barefoot horses, though I understand that it isn't always the right fit for every horse and owner. I would urge you to do some research into barefoot hooves. You might try this guy's site to start with. Pete Ramey It is so true that anyone can tell you they know how to barefoot trim, but unfortunately, most of the time it just BS and the horse is the one who pays.
Ok, I'll nudge myself away from the soap box now.:oops:

Considering the conditions that you posted about I'm thinking that a pair of easy boots would be perfect for you. If you are going to stay barefoot look specifically for a barefoot trimmer and not just a ferrier who says they can do a mustang roll.
Best of luck and happy trails!
 
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