Yeah he really did. I mean, I've been in a spot like that before where a more experienced guy caught a mistake I was about to make. It wasn't even something I saw coming, just a small detail in the plan that would've caused a huge problem later. Having someone who's been around and is willing to speak up is everything. It saved a ton of rework and honestly taught me to double check that specific thing from then on.

Honestly, I've come around to the same view. I used to be a strict "corrective shoeing only" person. What changed for me was a navicular case that just kept getting worse with every traditional shoe we tried. We switched to a supportive boot system as a last resort, and the improvement in his stride was clear in a week. My take is we should use every tool we have. If it helps the horse and does no harm, the method doesn't matter. Sometimes the non-traditional gear lets you provide support without the stress of nailing on a shoe, and that alone can be a big win for a sore horse.