Great Britain: Man v Horse race: 'No horseshoes' plea by rider Sarah Braithwaite

BBC.Co.UK - Full Article

11 April 2012

The organisers of the annual Man versus Horse race in Powys are being urged to change the rules so its four-legged entrants can compete without shoes.

Riders whose horses go "barefoot" claim metal shoes can harm the animals' hooves in the long term.

Sarah Braithwaite, who has written a book about barefoot horses and competes in endurance rides, said rules forcing shod horses were outdated.

A spokesman for the Llanwrtyd Wells event said shoeing protected horses.

Green Events said a committee was meeting on Wednesday night to discuss the issue and would release a statement on Thursday.

The spokesman added: "It has always been a rule of Man versus Horse that horses are to be shod because of the course, and because it's a race rather than an endurance ride..."

Read more here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-17681240