Why Your Horse Should Go Barefoot

Horses do not speak our language, but the goal as an equestrian is to learn to speak theirs. Everyone who has had the opportunity to bond with a horse knows that they are loving creatures with distinct personalities. As a farrier, I am blessed to be a part of your life and get to know your story. My job is to set forth a plan of correction and long term life goals for each animal.
Natural Hoof Care is about more than just a trim method. It involves the whole horse, with the feet as the foundation that allows the animal to perform his best. The Whole Horse Approach… It is not just about the trim, but rather taking into account everything about the horse in order to have the most success with your horse as a high performance barefoot athlete. This means environment, movement, diet and the trim.
I think that one of the greatest misconceptions about horses with their hooves left in their natural bare state is the thought that the hooves need protection. That is because we have become accustomed to seeing diseased and weak hooves, with underrun heels, toe cracks, and a myriad of other issues.. The saying “No hoof, no horse” is still just as true today as it was hundreds of years ago. A horse that is being managed correctly will have a sound foot that can travel across whatever you throw at it. By balancing the horse’s hoof back to the internal structures, we are bringing the whole horse back into balance with his body. It is a holistic approach to hoof care which takes into account the living conditions and the terrain that the horse encounters on a regular basis. The trim is a tool that encourages the hoof to grow in a physiologically correct shape and the correct living conditions aid remodeling where necessary and help maintain a healthy hoof.
When making the change to barefoot, the horse may be uncomfortable and sore at first, give him time to adjust. His feet will need time to toughen up again and develop strength. Horseshoes do not really provide much protection to the feet… After all what does a one inch band of steel around the perimeter of the foot do to protect the frog and the sole? Why not allow the horse to be in his natural state except when the protection is needed with the use of hoof boots? Easyboot, Renegade, ScootBoots, all are good options that give a horse protection when they need it, with all the benefits of being barefoot.
Benefits to keeping your horse barefoot:

• Improved blood flow which improves overall horse health
• Healthy strong horn (hoof walls)
• Greater shock absorption so fewer concussion related injuries
• Quicker heart rate recovery time after exercise
• No more worries about shoes coming off during a ride, or even worse, having to cancel before an anticipated camping trip, or big show!
• Lower risk of injuries when turned out in the field. Your horse can safely play with other horses in the pasture!
• Improved traction—Nature designed the hoof so it can adapt to all terrains
• Less tripping, stumbling and forging as the horse can feel where it’s feet are.