When it comes to a horse's health, all the experts can agree on at least one thing: It starts with the feet. As the old saying goes, “No feet, no horse”. Without well-balanced, well-maintained, and properly-functioning hooves, a horse can’t really be a horse.
Now, this is where the opinions start to differ in the horse community. Traditionally, hoof health is managed by farriers, who trim the hooves and then nail on an iron horse shoe to “protect” the hoof from hard ground and rocky terrain. The theory is that these shoes will lift the sole and frog up off the ground and protect both from injury. Modern day farriers have developed specialized trimming methods and more advanced types of shoes for horses with specific issues, which is commonly known as corrective shoeing.
Researchers Look to The Hoof Function of Wild Horses For Answers
In recent years however, horse enthusiasts around the world have begun to analyse and question these traditional methods of hoof management. According to Pete Ramey, a leading expert on barefoot trimming, there have been more advances in hoof care in this last decade than in there was in the past century. He attributes this rapid progress largely to the efforts of natural hoof care practitioners.
Of course, in the wild, horses do not have farriers or horse shoes, and yet the hoof diseases and common leg ailments that plague domestic horses are drastically lower. Could it be that traditional methods of hoof care aren’t what they’ve been cracked up to be? Could one even go so far as to say that these tried and true methods are actually the cause of many of the most common leg ailments in our equine companions?
Veterinarians have begun to focus more research on determining just how a healthy hoof is supposed to function, based on observations of free range or “wild” horses. This has helped immensely in the treatment of serious lameness causing diseases such as laminitis and navicular. Barefoot horses also seem to have a better freedom of motion, and seem to be able to almost feel the ground with their feet.
How Barefoot Trimming Works
The theory behind barefoot trimming is simple: Trim the hoof so that it can function as nature intended. Since domestic horses don’t generally travel over the varied terrain that wild horses do, hooves do not get worn down naturally and therefore need to be trimmed.
However, evidence has been gathered which disproves the traditional way of thinking that the frog needs to be lifted up off the ground and protected. When the function of this organ was studied in wild horses, it was found that it’s true purpose was actually to act as a shock absorber of sorts, and therefore should actually be in contact with the ground.
While almost all horse people have been taught that the frog is very tender and sensitive, a healthy frog is actually very resilient and acts almost like a feeler for the horse. Therefore, the first thing on a barefoot trimmer’s agenda when they start on a new horse is to “free the frog”. Freeing the frog is essentially removing the hoof bar that is built up alongside the frog so that it can expand and start to function like it should.
Next, the quarters of the hoof wall are filed down to sole level, followed by the heel. Many horses that have been shod for years will have what are known by barefoot trimmers as “high heels”. This term describes a horse whose heels are overgrown to the point that they are causing the leg to be in an unnatural forward position, much like when women where high heeled shoes. It doesn’t take a veterinary degree to imagine the negative impact that forcing the leg into this position for a prolonged period would have. Once the quarters and heels are lowered to the appropriate level, the rest of the hoof is filed so that the hoof wall is flush with the sole. The toes are then backed so that the hoof has the proper break over when the horse takes a stride.
Most barefoot trimmers believe that all horses can go barefoot, but recommend that a transition phase be observed. Horses will be tender footed after the shoes have been pulled and the hooves trimmed, but eventually a natural callous will build up on the sole and the frog will regain blood flow and begin functioning properly as a shock absorber. In order to help horses along, it is recommended that some varied terrain be added to their turnouts, such as crushed rock or gravel. Initially hoof boots should be worn when ridding on rocky or very rough footing.
Consider Barefoot Trimming For Your Horse
With all the research that has come out in recent years regarding the benefits of barefoot trimming, it is definitely worth a second look. There have been many reports of horses with various types of lameness benefiting from this more natural approach to hoof maintenance. Many veterinarians are now implementing barefoot trimming in cases of laminitis and navicular with incredible results.
Whether or not your horse is currently experiencing soundness issues, barefoot trimming will help to improve his freedom of movement. Many horse owners see major improvements to their horses' overall posture and motion after the shoes come off and the hooves are trimmed in a more natural way. So look for an experienced barefoot trimmer in your area to give your horse the hooves that nature intended.
Sources:
- Pete Ramey, "Hoof Care in the 21st Century". HoofRehab.com.
- Lisa Huhn. Equinextion.com.
