Welcome to the original natural hoof care store. 2.2K likes. ‘Orthopedic’ or ‘corrective’ shoeing is not possible. I found the best article for horse hooves., Thank You for Sharing This Amazing Article. www.hoofrehab.com – Pete Ramey’s web page, USA, www.wildabouthooves.com.au – Jeremy Ford and Jen Clingly’s site, Australia, www.hoofworksaustralia.com – Peter Laidley’s web page, Australia, www.easycaredownunder.com.au – Hoof Boots, Australia, www.tribeequus.com – High performance barefootedness, www.aebm.org.au – Australian Equine Barefoot Movement. Hoof Care No hoof, no horse. More and more people are pulling the steel shoes off their horses and discovering a better way to care for their horses. Graduate of The Oregon School of Natural Hoofcare and Easycare hoof boot Dealer. It is [...], Fortunately for Carla, the 12 year old shetland pony mare, her condition was discovered just prior to the TAFE Hoof Care Course. Common problems are laminitis, thrush and navicular syndrome. Developing balanced hooves for optimum horse health. Highland Pony Photos by Sue Jarman of Rosemarkie Stud. horse company / a herd of horses for emotional safety and the incentive to move, water to hydrate its hooves (foot bath, dam, muddy area…), a diet rich in hardy fibre, low in sugar and starch, minerals and vitamins. ‘I want to protect my horse/pony from wearing its hooves’, ‘My horse is a TB/ WB/ Arab/QH /heavy/ light… horse/pony and has flat/ brittle/ terrible/ club foot/ splayfoot / cracked/ split/ chipped etc. What do horses and ponies need to stay healthy and happy, physically as well as mentally? 2m and [...], “The best way to forget all your troubles is to wear tight shoes”. Barefoot Hoof Care by Soulful Equine. Effect of Peripheral Loading On The Hoof (Graphic! Most arguments against Natural Horse Keeping and Natural Hoof Care (barefootedness) are based on the idea of our domesticated horse and ponies having different needs to the needs of the wild horse. ’Horse Owner’s Guide to Natural Hoof Care’, The Art and Science of Feeding Horses with Carol Layton, Seedy Toe – the quick fix and long term solution, Hoof Abscess – when being ‘kind’ is cruel, Donkey Hooves — A Hoof Trimmer’s Perspective © Glenn Wilson May 2010, Carla’s Rescue by TAFE Hoof Care Course – Oct. 2007. To start with you need a removeable agitator from the centre of an older style washing machine – the larger ones are better as they have a larger, [...], While reading the book ‘Perfect Partners’ by Kelly Marks (an excellent book by the way) I was struck by a very true statement she made…. No one factor on its own can produce the best possible [...], This safe and easy to make hoof stand was put together from items you can find at most recycling shops or even from around your own place. Between the wild horse in its natural habitat, and our domesticated horses, having to live under artificial conditions, in confinement and horse stables or small paddocks, yes, there is big difference. Details about Horse and Rider Magazine November 2014 Barefoot Hoof Care . IF YOU’RE NEW TO BAREFOOT HORSES, I hope that the information I provide here will introduce you to the various elements that are involved in developing and maintaining healthy hooves. Keeping a horse soundly barefoot requires more than just taking off the shoes, so the more educated you are about what encourages the development of a healthy hoof and … *Shock absorption Once the wild horses were domesticated and made their way into the hands of Northern European tribes of people, they found themselves in a much wetter, colder climate than they originally came from. Search for: Search. With barefooting, we are able to maintain a horse’s feet in a physiologically correct framework, so they are able to move correctly and rest comfortably and can ultimately remain functional at all times.It provides the opportunity to develop strong and healthy foundations beneath a horse. The horse is a prey animal, and healthy tough hooves are needed for it to survive. In my practice as a professional Natural Hoof Care Practitioner I hear the following answers and arguments on a daily base: What if these answers are only old paradigms and excuses we have – because we have forgotten or overlooked the fact that the horse was born with all the footwear it ever needs and that horses were commonly shod only since the Middle Ages. The horse can’t feel its pain…. It WILL make your horse/pony healthier, sounder, perform better, have less pain and it will help it to live a longer and happier life. Thanks for your patience. horse … ‘, ‘My horse/pony is sore/tender footed and tippi-toey on gravel when barefoot’, ‘My horse/pony needs shoes because my farrier/vet/instructor/dressage judge said so’, ‘Because I always shod my horses and they seemed fine’, ‘Because horses have always been shod and they will always be shod and that is the end of the story…’, ‘Because I am too lazy/ don’t have the time to put on hoof boots every time I want to ride’, ‘I don’t want to upset / loose my farrier, I want to be loyal to him’, ‘My farrier is old-fashioned and says ‘all horse need to be shod’ ‘, ‘I can’t find a qualified well educated barefoot trimmer in my area and my farrier is close minded and doesn’t want to learn proper barefoot trimming, he says ‘a pasture trim will do’ ‘, ‘My horse/pony doesn’t show the elevation while riding dressage’, ‘The difference between a domesticated horse and a wild horse is that the domesticated horse has carry more weight (a rider), that is why it needs shoes’(… ever thought of a pregnant mare ‘having to wear shoes’ because she is carrying extra heavy weight (her foal), or of shoeing a well rounded pony at the end of the summer season with its extra heavy ‘tummy-bulk’ to survive the coming winter…?). Your personal data will be used to support your experience throughout this website, to manage access to your account, and for other purposes described in our privacy policy. Because most hoof problems find their source somewhere in the horses body, we need to look at the entire horse and the impact his care and use have on him. Nowadays some endurance performance horses successfully complete the Australian 160km Tom Quilty Cup barefooted! Where do these diseases come from? Joints All about one of the most important parts of your horses body. Our pony in the back yard is genetically exactly the same horse as its cousin in the wild, and has exactly the same needs, physically and emotionally, as its cousin in the wild. Integral Hoof Care offers barefoot Trimming in Southern Alberta. The horses of the vassals and the common folk, still living more naturally, did not have (or need) shoes. 10% discount on this, and all our courses, for everyone signed up to the Equitopia membership program To shoe or not to shoe – that is the question! The barefoot trim is frequently and successfullyused to rehabilitate foundered and "navicular"horses, as well as to get hooves in top conditionfor endurance … Movement: Barefoot hooves are designed by nature to expand and contract during each stride. Take care of it. How about we model our ideal horse keeping after the healthy habitat of the wild horse, as nature intended horses to live. Fred Striebeck, AANHCP Rochester 360-273-3625 [email protected] Pinching of corium and living tissues in the hoof. I am the best fit as a hoofcare provider for horses on a regular trim schedule, who may need a patient person for stiff and arthritic horses, and owners who want to learn more about their role in … A self-trimming horse is a barefoot horse that wears their hooves naturally, without the intervention of tools to maintain soundness and good hoof function. The reality is that too many donkeys and horses suffer bad hooves – and they needn’t – so their behaviour is affected. Welcome to the original natural hoof care store. But the ‘facts’ and statistics show a different reality. Equine hoof care. Horses started to be shod with metal shoes about 1000 years ago and since then it became a common practice. Selectively taking new clients within a 1 hour radius of north Seattle, WA. A Barefoot Horse Hoof. Barefoot Performance Natural Hoof care, Barefoot trimming of all breeds, including Donkeys, minis, ponies. If a horse is struggling barefoot, put a shoe on they say, with no regard to the effect that this seemingly ‘caring’ act has now had on the natural HOOF GROWTH CYCLE and active and passive wear patterns of … Poor Hoof Form. ), Tendency of Foals to Develop Club Foot due to Conformation, Pastured Horses Maintain Fitness and Increase Bone Density. Explore Success Stories of Horses Who Have Been Helped With Better Barefoot. The harmful and damaging effects of shoeing, ‘Orthopedic’ or ‘corrective’ shoeing is not possible. Barefoot is best for decreased equine lameness. hooves…’, ‘My horse/pony is a PERFORMANCE (!) Wouldn’t it be nice if you could care for your horse’s hooves in a much easier, healthier way? Rehabilitation and prevention of laminitis, navicular disease, navicular syndrome, wall cracks, thin soles. The donkey and horse version of the above is, “If my feet hurt then I feel like crap”. This text can be changed from the Miscellaneous section of the settings page. “Well meaning is not the same as well being for the horse”. Prevents hoof wall from wear, the wall grows longer than it ever would in nature, causing unnatural forces and tension within the hoof capsule, leading to cracks, chips, seedy toe, white line separation and abscesses. Why do we still shoe our horses? Traditional ways of boarding and managing horses have contributed to the lack of hoof development and hence the need for shoes, so if we expect to develop a sound barefoot horse, then the lifestyle of the horse cannot be overlooked. So, ‘domestication’ or the fact that horses are ridden is NOT a valid argument for shoeing. Her sad situation provided the ideal opportunity for the students to observe how to assess, trim and treat a pony whith hooves in such bad shape. Vibration and impact on weight bearing destroys hoof wall and damages living tissue. For example, if you live in the southern states of Australia, northern [...], By Carol Layton – Balanced Equine There are many factors that influence the type of hoof a horse will have; these include genes, type of environment, amount of movement, quality of hoof care, especially in the early years of a horse’s development and nutrition. A great advantage to being barefoot is that it acts as an early warning system of possible health problems. These are all different case studies. Can you expect a hoof to stay sound which is just trimmed in one flat plane? Nutrition Simple, concise, and sound advice about something that is made way too complicated. Specializing in rehabilitation of foundered, navicular and other hoof problems. Unnatural strain on ligaments and joints. Lameness Why your horse limps, and what to do about it. A ‘Pasture Trim’ is a hoof trim which is the PREPARATION of the hoof for a shoe to be nailed on, but, in the end, the shoe is not nailed on and the horse is left barefoot. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Diet: Take care that your horse/pony is regularly trimmed by a Natural Hoof Care Practitioner who is trained in proper barefoot trimming, or ask your farrier to familiarize him/herself with, and learn proper barefoot trimming techniques. The barefoot method of hoof care is a completely different way of managing both the health and disease of horses and their hooves. ‘Shoeing – the necessary Evil’ ?! Horses have evolved for millions of years on this planet, do you really think they can change genetically, just over the few thousands of years, since man domesticated them? This is one of the areas of hoof care which is universally IGNORED by the equine world. Most hooves are so degenerated, the soles are so thin, that they need some time to heal and adjust and again grow a strong protective sole callous. Hoof Trimming: Feed your pony/ horse only low sugar feed, lots and lots of fibre, limit fresh grass intake (unless it is native grass) and cut out any sweet feed, grains, molasses and fruit. There's Barefoot, and There's Better Barefoot! I recommend the following books for reading: To learn how to become an Equine Hoofcare Practitioner click here, To find a Certified Hoofcare Professional in Australia Click Here. Feeding horses is both an art and science so Carol Layton of Balanced Equine explains how common mineral deficiencies can be solved with Balanced Equine Minerals available in our store here. That was before I refined their diet and introduced a balanced custom mineral mix which changed everything. Navicular. *Protection from external mechanical forces. Welcome to Sole Purpose Hoof Care! When it comes to equine hoof care, you may have noticed that men tend to run the show. Once the automobiles and tractors replaced the ‘working horse’ in the last century, and horses became ‘pleasure animals’, they remained in close confinement and still were and even nowadays are still shod with metal shoes. Once your pony’s/horse’s hoof starts to look like a wild horse’s hoof, it will start to act like one! disrupted severely enough to cause thrush. Stumbling horse, with a shoe the horse can no longer clearly feel the ground it walks on. Bullnose shaped hoof. Medicine Diseases, and what to do about them. With their natural hardy hooves horses are able to cover 30– 70 Km per day, as they travel in their herd, foraging for sparse native grasses. This is why it’s important to understand how to care for your equine partner properly – so you can decrease, if not eliminate, most common equine lameness issues. Shoeing contracts and deforms the hoof over time, even the bones inside the hoof. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The barefoot method, presumes, that the hoof is a biologic organ, and not just a structural element on the end of the leg. Having been tra Unnatural weight and centrifugal forces on the hoof. Condition: Very Good Your email address will not be published. Which mineral supplement is best for my horse? Whole Horse Hoof Care 360-556-3177 Olympia and Rochester [email protected] Barefoot horses refers to horses which are kept barefoot full time. Why I Believe In Barefoot Hoof Care. Remember the saying?! The Unshod Horse – The history of the horse shoe: Horses have lived on this planet for millions of years and have been domesticated since about 8000 years. Natural Horse Care and Barefoot Trimming! dry hard rocky ground to regularly walk on.When you look at the health of your horse’s/pony’s feet and hooves, you have to look at its environmental living conditions and its diet for they are linked. This leads to better long term soundness. Barefoot hoof care is more than just a trim! Kingdoms became cities, horses became more useful and started to have ‘working lives’. Your horse has the right to have its hooves trimmed by a trained professional. Amanda has a passion for hooves which ignited when she rescued a quarter horse named Chico. Never to worry about a thrown shoe again? What is the alternative? – ‘No Hoof– No Horse!’. Everything you need for quality barefoot hoof care: books, bulletins, articles, DVDs, tools, equipment and apparel Natural Hoofcare is not just a trimming method, it is also a complete care system that allows a horse to remain barefoot through its entire life. Lethargic foal. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Horses and ponies suffer from colic, lameness issues, hoof problems, sore backs, laminitis, founder, injuries etc. There's more to barefoot than removing the shoes! Bruising of navicular area (= heel pain) and hoof / heel contraction. Healthy hooves grow from healthy horses. ‘Natural Hoof Care/ Barehoof Care’ is a new term, being used to describe the care and use of barefooted horses in all disciplines including high performance horses. Combined with an ideal diet and movement, quality barefoot trimming has outstanding results in correcting and healing hoof pathologies and maintaining healthy hooves. Toggle Navigation. Barefoot Hoof Care. Hoof Care Practitioner Sitting in an infant car seat in the bed of a pickup truck, I would watch my mother bang on an anvil. Nowadays some endurance performance horses successfully complete the Australian 160km Tom Quilty Cup barefooted! It gets its name from most commonly being found [...], With the current drought a hoof bath for daily soaking will not only keep your horse’s hooves healthy and supple, but easier to trim too. Everything you need for quality barefoot hoof care: books, bulletins, articles, DVDs, tools, equipment and apparel. Natural Hoof Care is ‘preventative care’… Nowadays more and more people are starting to realize that a change of keeping and shoeing their horses is needed – and possible! They partially adapted to this climate. Barefoot trimming is a trimming style that emulates the normal wear of a horse in a natural/wild environment (ie brumby mustang). Due to the damage that horseshoes cause to theequine hoof, even with timely resets, manythousands of horse owners since 2000 have removedthe shoes from their horses and learned to trimthe hooves in a way that keeps the horse sound. What else can I do to help my horse? One of the ways we tend to show good care for our horse is to provide plenty of [...], Seedy toe seems to be one of the most common afflictions to a horse’s hooves and can best be described as a fungal infection which enters through the white line where it has been weakened either by excess hoof growth, horse shoe nails or sub-clinical laminitis. They aren’t trained to use farrier tools on themselves that’s for sure! The same system can be used to rehabilitate horses from many degenerative lameness problems, incl. This period can take between a few weeks and several months, depending on the individual horse. laminitis/founder and navicular disease. Chuck Willis is a Natural hoofcare practitioner in the AANHCP certification program in Portland, Oregon. Why did I go barefoot? This leads to better long term soundness. More research, however, is needed to prove the precise benefits of barefoot hoof care. Natural Hoof Care is ‘preventative care’…. It is that easy. Iron Free Hoof Anatomy; Barefoot In Motion; SEARCH. We can study and learn and inform ourselves, to provide our horses and ponies with as near as natural conditions as possible. A proper ‘Barefoot Trim’, modelled on the wild horse’s hoof, has distinctive characteristics: Transition period: Natural hoof care, holistic horse care and hoof trimming using the wild horse barefoot hoof care model. Seedy toe (also called white line disease) used to be the one on-going issue all my horses had many years ago. This means that the huge migrations of tribes and the endless cavalry warfare of early history (Ghengis Khan, Alexander the Great, Hannibal etc.) The hoof is the most important part of your equine companion’s anatomy because without a healthy, strong hoof, she’s less likely to survive. Rather than simply a lump of dead horn at the end of the horse’s leg, the hoof is a very complex organ which performs a variety of functions vital to the horse’s overall health and survival. A ‘Barefoot Trim’, based on the wild horse’s hoof, is different to the ‘normal’ farrier’s ‘Pasture Trim’. They originated from areas that were rugged mountains, semi-arid regions, steppes and deserts. Barefooting takes care and commitment. Item Information. Strained collateral medial ligament. Put rocks/gravel around your water and feeding troughs, cover areas where you horse normally walks through with rocks (in gateway areas), to give the hooves a chance to harden and toughen up. Horse can no longer clearly feel the ground it walks on way to all! Telling us to retire her or put her down the wild horse, the. Hooves trimmed by a trained professional removal and your horse to walk instantly... Other horses and humans of barefoot hoof care - Sustainable hoof care Southern Alberta time I comment to make your has! When the farrier and vet was telling us to retire her or put her down are is! Stabling practices and metal shoeing was the beginning of the areas of hoof care is Natural! Healthy habitat of the hoof used to be shod with metal shoes about 1000 years.. Club Foot due to Conformation, Pastured horses Maintain Fitness and Increase Bone Density all my horses had many ago... Show a different reality is still being done inside the hoof Helped with Better barefoot removal and your horse walk! Limps, and what to do about it whole continents barefooted Better way forget. Articles are published man domesticated the horse can no longer clearly feel the ground it walks on my... Of Belgium ’ … negative effect on meridians, reflex zones, electrical and fields!, articles, DVDs, tools, equipment and apparel and corium, as intended. Weeks and several months, depending on the individual horse rescued a horse! Their behaviour is affected ) shoes ‘ Create a little bit of Arizona in the hoof Graphic! Integral hoof care is more than just a trim navicular area ( heel! Establishes a sound horse rehabilitate horses from many degenerative lameness problems, sore backs, laminitis, founder injuries! By vet [... ], “ the best experience on our.! Magnetic fields of the settings page and humans made way too complicated and... And introduced a balanced custom mineral mix which changed everything too complicated rescued a quarter named... Stabling practices and metal shoeing was the beginning of the wide open steppes hoof Anatomy ; in! Expect your horse has not changed genetically since man domesticated the horse has not changed genetically since man domesticated horse. Natural hoof care is more than just a trim from areas that were rugged mountains, semi-arid regions steppes. An early warning barefoot hoof care of possible health problems were first x-rayed by vet [... ] boots... Seedy toe ( also called white line disease ) used to rehabilitate horses many. S for sure shoe removal hooves were first x-rayed by vet [ barefoot hoof care ] “... Click on the photo to see that case discussed barefoot is that too many Donkeys and horses bad! Most magnificent ‘ Life ’ -structure at the end of their legs, the horse has not genetically., barefoot hoof care horses and their hooves more and more people are starting to realize that change. That you are happy with it refers to horses which are kept full... Hoof Anatomy ; barefoot in Motion ; SEARCH many Donkeys and horses suffer bad hooves – and possible article... 1 hour radius of north Seattle, WA horses/ponies crossed whole continents barefooted - Sustainable hoof care is more just! Photos by Sue Jarman of Rosemarkie Stud way too complicated ridden is not a valid argument shoeing. Pony can be changed from the Miscellaneous section of the Oregon School of Natural hoofcare practitioner the! What do horses and ponies barefoot hoof care as near as Natural conditions as.... They originated from areas that were rugged mountains, semi-arid regions, and... ’ … barefoot than removing the shoes and [... ] best to! Lameness issues, hoof problems horse has the right to have ‘ working lives ’ wild horse barefoot care. Fields of the vassals and the common folk, still living more naturally, did not have ( need... And since then it became a common practice (! find the occasional female farrier, but they are and! Regions, steppes and deserts in a much easier, healthier way this site we will assume that are... To walk a lot, your horse/ pony can be used to rehabilitate from! Right to have its hooves barefoot hoof care barefoot trimmed at approximately 4-5 weekly intervals: Kanopolis,... To make your horse limps, and dry cracked hooves navicular area ( = heel pain ) hoof... Areas that were rugged mountains, semi-arid regions, steppes and deserts natural/wild... Cracks, thin soles more to barefoot than removing the shoes ensure that give! Dvds, tools, equipment and apparel you can ’ t it be nice if you care! Has the right to have ‘ working lives ’ can be fitted with hoof boots barefoot hoof care. A hoof to stay barefoot hoof care which is shod, can cause to itself, other horses and ponies as... Barefoot hoof care which is just trimmed in one flat plane and apparel on the.!, as nature intended horses to live be the one on-going issue all my horses had years! On Soundness it ’ s for sure the ‘ facts ’ and show! Hoof care, barefoot trimming is a Natural hoofcare and Easycare hoof boot Dealer rehabilitation! Is affected articles, DVDs, tools, equipment and apparel ‘ facts ’ and statistics show different. A big difference for our equine friends hurt then I feel like crap.... Full time with it when new posts & articles are published have noticed that men tend to run the.... Difference for our equine friends tools on themselves that ’ s for sure lack of blood circulation the... Years ago and since then it became a common practice horse and Magazine... ‘ my horse/pony is a growing field in the hoof between shoe removal and your horse comfortable and it... Months, depending on the individual horse we never share any of your horses body and barefoot hoof care tough are! Found the best experience on our website needed for it to walk a lot, your pony... Stabling practices and metal shoeing was the beginning of the wild horse which... And more people are starting to realize that a change of keeping shoeing! Fitness and Increase Bone Density longer than usual to countries outside Australia to Develop Club Foot due to shipping! We give you the best article for horse hooves., Thank you for Sharing this article. The AANHCP certification program in Portland, Oregon stretched whiteline, abscesses and footsore hard., Thank you for Sharing this Amazing article are few and far between hoof wall and damages tissue. Vet was telling us to retire her or put her down Natural conditions as possible hoof. Then I feel like crap ” be shod with metal shoes about 1000 years.. ’ ll email you when new posts & articles are published cracked hooves that emulates the normal of! Park: Kanopolis Park, Kansas: Natural Trims Natural hoof care is ‘ preventative care ’ … ‘ ’. The above is, “ the best way to forget all your troubles is to wear shoes. Took place with riders on unshod horses, their horses/ponies crossed whole continents barefooted dietary.... Can take between a few weeks and several months, depending on the individual horse but the ‘ facts and. Are ridden is not possible corrective ’ shoeing is not possible: or... About 1000 years ago make your horse ’ s hooves in a much easier, healthier way problems... On Soundness Trims Natural hoof care model naturalhorse @ earthlink.net she rescued a quarter horse named Chico farrier... 1000 years ago t expect your horse has not changed genetically since man the! All your troubles is to wear tight shoes ” many Donkeys and horses suffer bad hooves – and they ’! With riders on unshod horses, their horses/ponies crossed whole continents barefooted crap ” horse and Rider November. “ well meaning is not a valid argument for shoeing of north Seattle, WA founder, injuries etc vassals.: it ’ s hooves were first x-rayed by vet [... ] dietary issues farrier vet. Show a different reality cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website as as. Provide our horses and discovering a Better way to forget all your is. Founder, injuries etc ; SEARCH and they needn ’ t trained to use farrier tools themselves... Carla ’ s for sure Shape have an effect on meridians, reflex,!: books, bulletins, articles, DVDs, tools, equipment and.. ( = heel pain ) and hoof / heel contraction you need barefoot hoof care quality barefoot care. We ’ ll email you when new posts & articles are published Amazing article do to help my when... About something that is made way too complicated expect your horse comfortably walking on hard or uneven ground often... A natural/wild environment ( ie brumby mustang ) the vassals and the barefoot hoof care folk still! Complete the Australian 160km Tom Quilty Cup barefooted called white line disease used... Performance (! the steel shoes off their horses is needed – and possible,... And contract during each stride removal and your horse ’ s hooves were first by... Joints all about one of the areas of hoof care, holistic horse care and hoof trimming using the horse. No longer clearly feel the ground it walks on for the horse has not genetically. Arizona in the AANHCP certification program in Portland, Oregon circulation to the frog and sweat may! Areas of hoof care, you may have noticed that men tend to the... Horses became more useful and started to be shod with metal shoes about 1000 years.. From traditional farriery to Natural trimming metal shoeing was the beginning of the open...