Horse Riders' Information
Nancy Nellis, Phone (406) 685-3541 PO Box 526, Pony, MT 59747
Horse care and
Rider topics:
horseridersinfo.net
copyright (c) 2005
Nancy Nellis
Horse Shoes (NOT) & Hoof Care
Read on for more information on barefoot methods:
BRAVO FOR BAREFOOT
I couldn't have been more pleased with the "Is Barefoot Best" article (February '06) and how well it was researched and written. I'm a professional natural trimmer who's really noticed a shift in my clientel in the last year as this "fad" has grown. I used to be the last resort for lameness issues when all other treatments had failed. Now I'm often the first person called, and not just for lameness issues. I trim for some of the top performance horse trainers in Texas. While I'm thrilled to be able to help horses with pathological hooves find soundness again and strongly feel this form of hoof care is the best way to rehab lameness issues, I'm also glad to see people are finally realizing the performance ability it provides. Most of my clientel consists of high-performance horses from the disciplines of reining, roping, jumping, and barrel racing. I also know of many barefoot horses throughout the world successfully competing in eventing, steeplechasing, flat racing - and yes, they win against shod horses. I think some people believe barefoot equals no traction, and this couldn't be further from the truth. Yes, with a typical "pasture trim", the horse might have little or no traction, and the hoof wall may chip or split. But with a natural "wild horse" trim, the horse's hooves develop concavity and a strength that will rival the grip of any shoe. Moreover, natural-trimmed horses are bolder and more confident with their hoof placement, and thus quicker and more responsive. Stumbling, forging, or clipping often become things of the past. Some people shoe out of fear of the hoof wearing down. But there are many mounted patrols that use this trim, including the Houston Mounted Patrol. In the past, patrol members believed their horses' hooves would be worn down by walking for hours or concrete. But now they've learned that wear stimulates growth, such that their now barefoot horses are ready for a trim every four to six weeks! The hoof adapts to what is asked of it. Plus, the patrol horses now have better traction on concrete, better shock absorption to protect their joints [and better blood flow]. Pete Ramey is right: We haven't "bred the hoof off" the horse. I've yet to meet a single horse that I can't successfully take barefoot. People think of the time their horse lost a shoe and was lame or sore, or the hoof cracked and chipped right away, and they assume that's what will happen if they "go barefoot". This is not the case if you have a skilled natural trimmer. Another misconception is that you must be natural on everything - a "Tree Hugger" essentially - to successfully use a natural trim. Some trimmers do promote herbs, natural lifestyles, and other things of that sort, but that isn't always necessary. Yes, all horses benefit head to hoof from 24/7 turnout. But that's not an option for many horses in this world. I trim horses that live the traditional boarding lifestyle, with only eight to ten hours of turnout each day, yet I'm still able to help them have great feet. The Houston Mounted Patrol has over thirty horses on a few acres wedged on the side of the freeway, far from a natural environment, yet their horses excel on this trim. There are many things you can do to counteract a less-than-natural environment, this trim being one of them. Quite simply, when the hoof can function as it was designed to, it won't fail the horse. When its natural design is altered or inhibited, it eventually fails.
Eddie Drabek
Member AANHCP
El Campo, Texas
The hoof is a vital part of the horse and a healthy hoof is essential to the well being and usefulness of the horse. Trimming is necessary to prevent sand cracks and breaking off of the hoof wall, which often results in lameness. Trimming is also required to balance the hooves so a horse moves consistently and at its best. A horse that receives regular hoof care is potentially a safer horse to ride, both to the rider and horse itself. They are less apt to slip, stumble or fall. Moreover, they are less likely to sustain injuries that would either put them out of service or require the services of a veterinarian.
Horses should receive routine hoof care at intervals of 4 to 8 weeks. Allowing the feet to accumulate an excessive growth of horn (wall) and may prevent the frog and elastic structures of the hoof from contacting the ground, thereby, preventing the hooves from performing their proper functions. This can result in a contraction of the whole hoof, which can lead to disease problems in the hoof.
Hoof Care is Good Economy -
Proper care of hooves is basic economy. Nothing is saved by using heavier shoes than necessary simply to get more wear out of them or by not trimming the feet as often as needed. Hoof care is even more critical in young, growing horses. This care should begin on normal foals at approximately one month of age. As long as everything progresses normally, the foal should be trimmed approximately every four weeks. The feet should be kept level and the edges of the wall rounded to prevent breaking. In the normal foal this will encourage correct bone growth in the hoof and limb. It is also important to keep flares from growing on one side of the hoof, which creates excessive stress on the bones that may lead to lameness and/or incorrect bone growth.
Every horse owner should have a certain basic knowledge of hoof care and be able to evaluate the care given to their horse's hooves. To understand the principles of good hoof care, and evaluate a farrier's work requires a basic working knowledge of the hoof and its care.
The foot of the horse is truly a complex, very efficient and marvelous structure. It performs supporting, anti-concussion, circulatory regulating and traction functions. The hoof is a highly specialized horny-shell which covers sensitive bones, nerves, blood vessels and tissues. The visible outer covering of the hoof, viewed with the hoof resting on the ground, is called the wall. When the horse's hoof is picked up, it can be seen that the ground surface of the hoof consists of the wall, bars (an inward continuation of the outer wall), the sole (the concave area beginning just inside the wall), and the frog (a V-shaped structure in the center of the hoof).
Each portion of the hoof has a specific function. The wall is designed to carry the bulk of the horse's weight as well as protect the underlying structures. The bars act as a brace to control expansion and contraction of the hoof; the sole covers softer tissues, and is somewhat concave to provide traction and allow for expansion, while the frog aids in absorbing concussion, circulation, expansion and regulating moisture in the hoof. If any of these outer structures are abused by excessive trimming, injury, or infection, then normal function and soundness of the entire hoof is jeopardized.
Common sense, thoughtfulness and a good dialogue between the horse owner and trimmer will help assure a horse is ready to perform when called upon. When selecting a trimmer, the best is one in which you have confidence and is readily available when needed. A trimmer should not be selected simply to emulate someone else, but rather selected on his merits. However, if you have little knowledge about the work of trimmer, the best means to find a competent, reliable trimmer may be to ask horsemen in your area for recommendations. Your horse must depend upon you for proper care, and as a horse owner you have the obligation to provide for the horse's needs in the best possible manner. And, DO NOT let your farrier convince you that your horse needs shoes!! That is hogwash!!! And, if he/she will not trim your horse the way you wish it to be done, let that trimmer go. This has happened to me. He pretty much thought I was crazy and would be begging him to come back and put shoes on my horses. That was the last time I ever talked to him. That has been a couple of years. I have now found a person who does the natural trim on my horses and their feet and their minds have never been happier!!
Here are some excerpts from natural trimmers:
Professional Natural Trimmer Eddie Drabek says:"I've yet to meet a single horse I can't successfully take barefoot. I trim high-performance horses from the disciplines of reining, roping, jumping, and barrel racing. And, yes, they win against shod horses. Quite simply, when the hoof can function as it was designed to do, it won't fail the horse. When its natural design is altered or inhibited, it eventually fails." Pete Ramey, another leader of the barefoot movement says, "The key difference between traditional farrier care and the barefoot approach is that we've zoomed in on figuring out how to make all horses grow good feet."
Here is a "before" picture of my mare's hoof after she had foundered in June 2006.
Below is after a natural trim by a AANHCP trimmer. The trimmer did not take the hoof wall off because he believes in taking it easy and not being too invasive. He will trim that wall off on the next trim.
Now the mare has had her hooves trimmed one more time, and the hooves are now starting to look good again. The soles are growing back. He lowered her heels, and she is now not so tender. He took the walls off to where her foot is round and sound. And, lastly, he did the mustang roll to prevent chipping and cracking.
I will put a current picture of my mare's feet onto the site, after I do one more trim, the proper trim, removing the toe callus, so you can see how far she has come in the last 2 years. I was afraid I was going to have to put my mare down due to the condition of her feet. Luckily, I found a barefoot trimmer who knew he could improve her feet. And, my searching for answers led me to the videos you will find right below.
