the transition to barefoot.  She does her own trimming, but gets the farrier to check her horse every eight weeks or so.  She rides in a rope halter - Alexandrine helped her train Pietro to be rideable in a halter instead of a bridle when he arrived last January.  On his back, was a western type saddle, with a bridle slung over the horn - just in case she needed extra control if Alexandrine's youngster was difficult.  Also slung over the horn was a leather case, containing a large pair of snips and a foldable saw - she told me that, as she rides along the local trails, she cuts down any low branches and helps to keep the trail clear for everyone.  I also noticed that she was wearing a helmet - I was a little surprised, actually, that's quite un-French.  I remarked on it and she said she always wears one, and I nodded, I always wear one too. Pietro ready for the trail I ended up thinking, this lady is a serious horsewoman, she's a wee bit older than me but is not only still riding (a lot), she's doing her own horse's feet & she works on keeping the trails clear for the benefit of others. I was finding it hard to keep up with the four-way chat and my brain was rapidly approaching meltdown,  so I politely excused myself and took Flurry back to his field.  But before I left, Marie-Christine made a hacking "date"