It can be interesting to see how old things become new again. Information, trends, fashion, we see things from years ago come alive once again. Most recently in the horse world the concept of bringing the working horse back to nature to have him barefoot rather than with shoes has been a driving force. Form and function is one of the key factors in this new drive/fashion of the day. But when we refer to the masters we might find that this is not new information. In the words of one master, we see that he is saying there is no need to rush into shoeing the horse, and no need at all if the horse is worked in the arena or on trails.

"There need be no haste about shoeing, though the height of the walls of the hoofs should be adjusted every six to eight weeks and the bearing edges, which wear away irregularly, should be rounded off with a file. The blacksmith must also remove horny pieces of the frog that are half loose, under which dirt and decay can often find lodging.

"No shoeing of any kind is required if the owner of the horse is lucky enough to be able to exercise it outside the riding hall on soft, springy forest paths or fine, sandy meadow land. Such terrains cause very little wear of the hoof. Pebbly ground should be avoided."

This from the master Waldemar Seunig. Seunig attended both the famous French Cavalry School at Saumur and the celebrated Spanish Riding School at Vienna. From 1922 until 1930, Colonel Seunig was Master of the Horse at the Court of King Alexander of Yugoslavia and in 1930 became Chief Riding Master of the Yugoslavian Cavalry School. He also was the coach of the successful German Olympic Team.