Barefoot trimming 'cause it behooves the horse!

Why a natural/barefoot trim? A natural trim takes up where we have taken away the horses ability to naturally wear its hooves. Having a natural trim lets the hoof work as it is supposed to, heal as it is quite capable of doing and overall give the horse better health. Instead of nailing a "band-aid" onto the hoof, we are letting the hoof make use of its incredibly complex design. 

What IS a natural trim? A natural trim is based on studies of the wild mustang hoof and the natural mechanism built into the hoof. I trim to the individual hoof, to the needs of that particular hoof. While there is a general range of measurements for horses or even breeds, natural trim angles and/or heel heights are based on the individual horse's hoof. Any adjustments needed to reduce a heel height or shorten a toe are done in small increments so as to avoid a sore horse. The trim should be non-invasive by removing only that which will relieve the horse, stimulate hoof growth and hoof mechanism. The soul and frog are passive to the hoof wall, yet part of the "shock absorbers" of the hoof impact on the ground. The hoof wall is rolled or beveled around the bottom, often called a "mustang roll". Giving your horse the benefit of a natural hoof trim will behoove your horse. Better circulation, movement, traction, less concussion on the joints.

What is Hoof Mechanism?  The hoof moves, flexes, expands, contracts, and pumps blood with every step. It's called hoof mechanism. That is, the hoof is designed to flex out upon ground contact and back to "normal" size when the hoof is lifted off the ground. During this time, the flexing of the hoof works as a shock absorber and blood circulation pump. It is not designed to be peripherally loaded (as with a shoe or with long overgrown hoof walls). The frog, bars, digital cushion and sole, along with other lower leg/hoof components, work with the hoof walls to absorb the impact. Hoof mechanism involves the whole hoof, not just the hoof walls. Without flexion, you don't have full hoof mechanism. Without mechanism, all kinds of hoof problems will develop over time. Some sooner then others depending upon the horse and its work.

What is a natural lifestyle? Please understand that a "natural trim" is NOT just about a hoof trim method. It IS about the whole horse. Hooves, diet, environment, exercise, stress, the whole horse. The horse is one of the most adaptable domesticated animals...or is it really? I think we believe they are very adaptable only because the signs of the affects our actions have on them usually begin in subtle ways. In our efforts to use them for all kinds of work or play, we seem to think that we can come up with a better way for them. We apply our human needs to what we think the horse needs...blankets, shoes, feeds of all kind, enclosed barns, etc. But the reality is that a horse has pretty simple needs compared to all the things we are told or think we need to do for them. We complicate it and alot of times end up complicating the health and well being of the horse. Diet, stress, exercise, lifestyle are all factors that affect the horse's health and hooves. A horse is built for movement - 24/7 turnout is great. If you can't do that (boarding barn doesn't allow), at least make sure your horse is getting as much turnout time as possible as well as you exercising/working your horse. If more boarders start demanding 24/7 turnout, eventually more barns will provide it. Movement also helps to keep the hoof in good shape. Pea gravel in a paddock or around the water supply helps to keep the hoof mechanism working. A horse is built for grazing - free choice hay is great. Pasture grazing if not laminitic, insulin resistant or foundered. Minerals and water should always be available. Sweet feeds are not healthy for horses. If you need to supplement with feed, try to find feeds that don't have added sugar/molasses and added fats. I recommend a fairly new feed on the market called Thrive. www.thrivefeed.com  . Check out the website. (And yes, it does put weight on the hard keepers and seniors WITHOUT added sugars or fat). Another area of horse care is creating a "horse" environment - that is, horses are herd animals. Horses do better with companionship. Preferably with other horses. Even if not in the same paddock, but within sight. If another horse is not possible, maybe some other animal - goat, sheep, mini donkey - someone that is with them in their paddock/pasture. Also provide open spaces where the horse aka, prey animal, can see what's going on around it. Keep barn doors open for more light and better ventilation. Better yet, just have a 3 sided shed that the horse can come and go as they please. This will provide them with fresh air and more exercise as well as the ability to adapt to changing seasons.

Check out my links page for more information on the horse. But in a nutshell - keep it simple - no sweet feeds, plenty of exercise/movement, pasture/paddock buddies, proper fitting saddle, natural hoof care, 24/7 turnout, fresh water. Don't get overwhelmed by all the info out there.  Know your horse and research what you need to for the basic horse care and then any other info for their specific needs, ie Seniors, hardworking performance, breed susceptabilities, etc. Your knowledge about your horse will help prevent future problems.

How do I transition my horse from shoes to barefoot? Every horse is different, but I still recommend owners to have a pair of boots on hand for their horse's transition from shoes to barefoot. This way, your horse will have protection for his hooves if needed for riding or just getting used to being barefoot. The hooves are going through changes - more circulation, flexing of the hoof, feeling sensors coming alive, basically an awakening of the hooves in many ways. Many times the hooves will actually expand to a larger size - some right away, others over a period of time. Just pulling the shoes and going "barefoot" is not enough. The hooves need to be trimmed to allow the horse to use the entire hoof structure for movement and shock absorbtion.

Aren't boots the same as putting shoes on? Not at all. While the boot may slightly inhibit a hoof, it does not stop full hoof mechanism. What's great about boots is that you can put them on the horse only when you need them. The rest of the time, the horse gets the full benefits of being barefoot as intended. No 24/7 constriction of the hooves.

Will I always have to put boots on my horse? Again, every horse is different, but chances are you probably won't have to put boots on your horse everytime you ride. It depends on what kind of terrain the horse is living on and what kind of terrain you are riding on. My horses are on very rocky pasture. I ride them through rocky terrain barefoot without any problems or soreness. But their hooves are used to covering rocky ground. If your horse is used to nothing but a grassy pasture, you can't expect them to take you trail riding over rocky trails without some hoof protection. It's all a matter of what the hooves are adapted to. Kind of like when I was a kid - once school was out for summer, I was barefoot all the time. By mid-summer I'd be able to run across gravel roads barefoot and not even think about it. The hoof needs the opportunity to adapt to rougher ground cover. Rocky pastures, pea gravel in areas they have to travel across everyday, and other ways to expose the hooves to varied or rough terrain all help to adapt the hooves.

"My horse's hooves are always chipping or cracked. He has terrible hooves. He'll always have to wear shoes." Really? Even though you've had shoes on him, your horse's hooves are always chipping or cracked, and still just terrible hooves...well how's that working for you?

Do want to keep putting that band-aid on? Or would you rather heal up the problem all together? You'd be amazed at how well the hoof can heal itself if given the chance. Natural trim, proper diet, movement, horse friendly environment - all come together to help the hoof heal and function as it was designed to do.