it isn't leather, not sure what it is
Go on-line and open the: Hunter GSP-9700 balancing machine. There will be a box to enter your zip code. A list of shops in your area who has this particular machine which happens top be the best in the world as of today. It detects bent wheels and bad tires before the balancing procedure begins.
Hi, if you're trail riding on rocks, gravel etc shoes are a must. If you're competing in events shoes are important as the hoof doesn't get all chipped out then. Just remember if you live in a cold climate with lots of snow and ice shoes can be dangerous for the horse and cold. We put shoes on our horses during spring, summer and fall and in the winter removed them, but we didn't do too much riding in the winter as we live where it gets colder than all get out, lots of snow, blizzards etc and it's too hard on them to keep them on.
Unless you've got a horse that has soft feet, or an issue like nevicular, I would say no, leave them barefoot. The exception is the kind of work you'll be doing. Overall, shoes are expensive, time consuming, and most people that use them are doing so unnecessarily.
If you want to jump and compete she's going to need to come out of the pasture. Some breeds of horses like Andalusians and other Spanish breeds do very well barefoot and will only have shoes if they are working on surfaces that will either wear their feet down (stone dust) or bruise their feet (gravel and rocks). Other breeds like Thoroughbreds have really crappy feet and need shoes or their feet crack, split and chip apart. Your decision to get shoes should be based on your horse and where you are going to be working her and how hard. A good farrier will be able to come out and look at your horse's feet and give you a recommendation.
