FAQ

Please check back often on this page, or look at the news window on the main page. I will be listing FAQ's and answers/links as they occur.

 

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Q. What is “Natural”Hoofcare?

A. Natural hoofcare is not new...it's a return to old knowledge that the healthiest hoof is one forged by the horse's natural environment. Old time cowboy knowledge and vet texts from over 100 years ago recommend shoeing only when needed, then advise turning the horse out into rangeland to “allow the hoof to recover”. This practice has been lost to the modern horse usually kept in paddock or stable, and 24/7 shoeing has become the normal “tradition”, much to the delight of the farrier industry.

The role of the natural hoofcare practitioner is to aid the hoof in maintaining the health of its supportive inner structures, and to achieve and maintain proper movement. While the wild horse hoof is our model of perfection, we understand the domestic horse usually has a less than ideal environment, and the informed trimmer adjusts his work to reflect the given situation in order to grow the healthiest hoof possible. When necessary, boots and casts may be called upon for added comfort, protection and support while maintaining a functioning natural foot unencumbered by steel shoes.

Q. We tried barefoot with my farrier and it didn't work...how is this different?

A. Most farriers apply a “pasture trim” which is merely rasping the foot as if for a shoe, but using no shoe. The usual pasture trim ignores the dynamic and unique functioning of the hoof inner structures, and does nothing to support them and help the hoof become sound, and can actually harm the hoof. Furthermore, most farriers' “philosophy” is so far removed from naturally based hoofcare that it's basically like comparing apples and oranges. The underlying ideas are just too different.

Q. We tried a “Barefoot Trimmer” and it didn't work...why?

A. Each horse's situation is different, so it's hard to make a blanket judgment. The most common observations are:

1. No “LIM” trim. The practitioner comes from an “invasive” background which tries to carve a Mustang looking hoof, but the inner structure was not ready to support the outer shape. I made this mistake early on (1999-2002) and the horses taught me to trim for comfort as well as addressing pathologies. IMO, the best practitioners utilize the LIM (Less is More) trim style which seeks to cause the growth of a healthy hoof, while retaining the support...however “non-ideal”...that the hoof needs to function with comfort. See Pete Ramey's site for more detail on LIM ( www.hoofrehab.com ).

    

2. The owner is unable or unwilling to make necessary changes. Look, I'm a horse owner too and understand the many challenges while caring for my horse. We do what we can. That said, horses need daily movement and a diet that reflects the true needs of equine metabolism...and if the owner is unable or unwilling to make some basic changes and effort, then he/she might as well just put shoes on and hope for the best. Natural Hoofcare is as much a philosophy as well as a practice.

    

3. The horse is too far gone with a particular pathology. The hoof inner structures can remodel themselves to reflect bad hoofcare. Flared, flatfooted and thinsoled is a commonly seen problem. In many cases the coffin bone has remodeled to match the shape, and in turn grows a pathological foot. In some cases this can be reversed, but in ones that can't and where the owner cannot or will not use booting as an option to protect the thin soled coffin bone, then shoes may be the best option.