Hoof Care-The Natural Way
It is a common belief that horses need horseshoes. But why? Think about it; wild horses don't wear horseshoes and they seem to be just fine, even though they walk miles every day over rocky terrain. Since domesticated horses are no different than their wild cousins, horses in captivity should also be barefoot, right?
To answer this question, watch the two videos below, which show a shooed hoof (top) vs. a barefoot hoof (bottom).
To answer this question, watch the two videos below, which show a shooed hoof (top) vs. a barefoot hoof (bottom).
After watching those two videos, it’s obvious that there is a difference between shod and barefoot horses. When the shod horse steps down of his hoof, the impact seems to jolt up his leg. Yet, when the barefoot horse steps down, the hoof and leg absorb the impact. So, which one is better for the horse?
Wild horses travel up to 20 miles each day, their sturdy, barefoot feet carrying them over rough and varying terrains. With each step, the hoof flexes and absorbs the impact of the step, and therefore lessens the strain put of the rest of the horses leg. In a wild horse’s hoof the frog is large and tough, and when stepped on, acts like a heart, circulatiing blood up through the horse’s leg.
This is the way that it’s suppose to be. The belief that horses need shoes or their hooves will fall apart is a myth. Not only can horses have strong, healthy hooves without shoes, but horseshoes actually hurt the horse. A domesticated horse’s hoof problems usually begin the day that they are born. A foal spends 11 months in their mother’s belly before they are born. During that time, they are immersed in fluid, and when born have extremely soft hooves, which are easily worn down. However, foals are born with very thick hooves where the heel and toe is tall. Since wild horses are constantly on the move, the foals soft hoof is worn down to have a short heel are curved toe in a few days. But many domesticated foals are kept in stalls or small pens where they do not move enough to wear down their hooves. Right from the start, the hooves are shaped incorrectly. Attaching horseshoes to the horse’s feet only does more harm. Horseshoes elevate the horse's heels and prevent the horses joints from bending properly. This causes pain and can throw the horse’s entire body out of alignment. (Think of the discomfort from wearing high heels; that’s how shoed horses feel--all the time.) With the heel elevated, the frog does not touch the ground, the the added circulation does not occur. In horseshoes, the horse walks on the outer wall of the hoof, which applies too much pressure and can actually cause the hoof wall to separate from the rest of the hoof. Additionally, horseshoes prevent the hoof from flexing and absorbing the impact put on it.
Wild horses travel up to 20 miles each day, their sturdy, barefoot feet carrying them over rough and varying terrains. With each step, the hoof flexes and absorbs the impact of the step, and therefore lessens the strain put of the rest of the horses leg. In a wild horse’s hoof the frog is large and tough, and when stepped on, acts like a heart, circulatiing blood up through the horse’s leg.
This is the way that it’s suppose to be. The belief that horses need shoes or their hooves will fall apart is a myth. Not only can horses have strong, healthy hooves without shoes, but horseshoes actually hurt the horse. A domesticated horse’s hoof problems usually begin the day that they are born. A foal spends 11 months in their mother’s belly before they are born. During that time, they are immersed in fluid, and when born have extremely soft hooves, which are easily worn down. However, foals are born with very thick hooves where the heel and toe is tall. Since wild horses are constantly on the move, the foals soft hoof is worn down to have a short heel are curved toe in a few days. But many domesticated foals are kept in stalls or small pens where they do not move enough to wear down their hooves. Right from the start, the hooves are shaped incorrectly. Attaching horseshoes to the horse’s feet only does more harm. Horseshoes elevate the horse's heels and prevent the horses joints from bending properly. This causes pain and can throw the horse’s entire body out of alignment. (Think of the discomfort from wearing high heels; that’s how shoed horses feel--all the time.) With the heel elevated, the frog does not touch the ground, the the added circulation does not occur. In horseshoes, the horse walks on the outer wall of the hoof, which applies too much pressure and can actually cause the hoof wall to separate from the rest of the hoof. Additionally, horseshoes prevent the hoof from flexing and absorbing the impact put on it.
Even if a horse has worn shoes his entire life, there is still hope. The only way to eliminate the problems and pain associated with shoes to remove them, This is usually where the barefoot philosophy is criticized. When the shoes are first removed, the horse’s feet may be sensitive for a few days. This is due to the sudden increased blood flow to the hoof. (Think of the tingling felt in a leg when blood reaches it after it falls asleep.) And just like anything else in life, the transition between shoes and barefoot takes time, as in multiple months, to over a year. Also, for a horse to live happily barefoot, his feet must be trimmed using the barefoot/wild horse trim, not the traditional way. All natural horse care goes hand in hand, so to receive the maximum results from keeping horses barefoot, they should also be kept in a natural environment and eat a natural diet.
Once a horse has a natural hoof, his hooves should be trimmed every 6-8 weeks. Keep in mind that the terrain that the horse lives on will affect the frequency of trimming. In order for the barefoot life to work (which it can for every horse), the trimmer must be educated on what he/she is doing. It’s a good idea to interview a trimmer about their methods. A good trimmer will be knowledgeable about horses and treat them with respect. It’s best to find a trimmer who only uses barefoot/wild horse model trimming methods, as a traditional trim on a barefoot horse doesn't fix anything. Horses will be much happier and healthier living barefoot.
Once a horse has a natural hoof, his hooves should be trimmed every 6-8 weeks. Keep in mind that the terrain that the horse lives on will affect the frequency of trimming. In order for the barefoot life to work (which it can for every horse), the trimmer must be educated on what he/she is doing. It’s a good idea to interview a trimmer about their methods. A good trimmer will be knowledgeable about horses and treat them with respect. It’s best to find a trimmer who only uses barefoot/wild horse model trimming methods, as a traditional trim on a barefoot horse doesn't fix anything. Horses will be much happier and healthier living barefoot.
