In an interview with the German online website spring-reiter, Christian Kukuk revealed his preference for riding without horseshoes. The Olympic champion appears to be strongly convinced of the benefits of riding without them. "I feel that most horses find it more comfortable," Kukuk shared. This week in Frankfurt, the German rider will compete with, among others, his approved BWP stallion Mumbai (Diamant De Semilly x Nabab de Rêve)!
"From the beginning, I felt that Mumbai was more comfortable without horseshoes. He feels lighter, and his movements are quicker. Naturally, this makes a big difference in our sport. On the same course, with the same lines and the same number of strides, Mumbai is at least two seconds faster without horseshoes," the Olympic champion explained.
It isn't cheaper!
"It's definitely an additional effort because the hooves need to be checked much more frequently. You just have to ensure that the quality of the hoof remains good and that there are no cracks. Fortunately, Mumbai has completely healthy and sturdy hooves. With other horses, this can be different, and the farrier might need to visit every two weeks," the 34-year-old rider explained.
source: Spring-Reiter
