Natural Barefoot Hoof Trimming
The future of Equine Hoof Care!
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If you have a question about barefoot, trimming, or natural hoofcare, PLEASE use the Forum or email me directly. The guestbook entry does not work well for ongoing contact or communication. My email is: Barefoothorses@hotmail.com. I'll be happy to answer any questions.
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43 Comments
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fastadvcash
11:25 AM on January 14, 2010
hi there, my name is Tina.
found this website and read some great discussion and feedback so decided to join
i am happy to help others and offer advice where possible 
Reply
brautkleidtussi
02:06 PM on January 13, 2010
Hi my name is Silke,
i just want to say that i love your side.
Please go on like this.
I will be back soon.
Silke
Reply
Nora
12:13 AM on October 02, 2009
Darcy, if you are using a conventional farrier he probably does not understand hoof balance or how to perform an effective barefoot trim. Especially if he leaves flares and imbalances. He really needs to educate himself in hoof function. I would recommend Pete Ramey's DVD series. Without knowing how he is trimming I really cannot offer any advice, I would need to see pics of the hoof. My suggestion would be to locate a true natural barefoot trimmer in your area for the best success.
DARCY says...
I AM TRYING TO GO NATURAL BUT SO FAR AM NOT PLEASED WITH MY FARRIER. I FEEL HE LEAVES TO MUCH OF A FLARE ON THE OUTER BACK SIDE OF THE HOOF. ANY SUGGESTIONS I CAN GIVE HIM WITH OUT CAUSING PROBLEMS?
Reply
Nora
12:06 AM on October 02, 2009
Lynn,
I am curious, how long ago did these abcesses happen? If your summer has been like ours, it's been the wettest ever. I have personally seen more abcesses on both shod and barefoot horses this summer than ever before. The moisture seems to be wreaking havoc with hooves and allowing bacteria to get into the soft tissue. So it was just this past summer this all happenned, it may not be the trimmer's fault at all.
As far as abcesses go, they happen when you remove shoes or even when you start correcting trimming on very distorted bare hooves. The damaged tissue inside the hoof capsule is finally being given a chance to heal. Since hooves are solid, this trapped tissue can only get out in the form of an abcess. As bad as it is, it seems to be a necessary evil in the healing process. I have seen bad founder cases abcess up to 4 times in succession before all the dead cells get themselves out. Unfortunatley if you opted to have "corrective" shoes put back on, you merely put a bandaid over the hoof damage so you can't see it. It will not cure it, it will perpetuate it.
I really don't know why hoof abcesses would cost you $10,000 in vet bills. The best solution is to soak the hoof in antiseptic solutions, such as epsom salts, vinegar solutions, diluted bleach water, etc. This helps to kill the bacteria and speed the healing. Most abcesses clear up in just a week or two, though I have seen some take several months sadly, though this is rare. Sometimes antibiotic treatment can help as well. Though I don't doubt you, I can't imagine what treatment would up to $10K.
As far as a certified trimmer goes, there are certification programs. You can check websites such as the AFA or the AANHCP for certified trimmers. I personally do not believe a trimmer must be certified to be qualified. Your horses are the best indicators of a good or bad trimmer or trim job. If they are sore, do not improve, or if your trimmer cannot explain what he/ she is doing or why an abcess has happenned, I would highly recommend getting someone else. When a trim is done correctly, you should see continued, though sometimes very gradual, improvement. Your horse should not regress. If he does, ask questions, and if there is doubt in your mind, get a second opinion from a different trimmer. Not all trimmers are created equal! Just like farriers, vets, mechanics, and doctors, not all are as good as the next yet still can hang a shingle on thier door.
lynn says...
i switched farriers iv had the same horses for around 15 years the same farrier has done them i have never had a problem and have never had shoes on them and had never had a problem ever. my friend talked me into natural hoof care about a year ago well all 4 of my horses ended up with abcesses ended up doing corrective shoeing on all 4 horses he sayed he was a certified natural trimmer? why does this happen?? and how do i find out if they are really certified. thought i did my research. the whole deal vet anf farrier ended up costing me around 10,000 dollars for something that only cost me for 14 years 1,800 a year thats @ $50 a trim 9 times a year.
Reply
Nora
11:47 PM on October 01, 2009
Hi Jamie,
Please see my Links page for other sites about Natural Hoof Care, there is a lot of information on them. There are a few schoold out there for barefoot trimming. Gene Ovniceck offers courses, and as well as KC LaPeirre. There is also a hoof shoeing school in Kentucky that does a specialized course in barefoot hoof care. I do not know how reputable they are, as I have not read the course material. They may have more of a focus on shoeing, unfortunatley. Pete Ramey offers a lot of educational material for home study.
Barefoot or natural trimming focuses on the natural function of the hoof and rehabilitates it, unlike conventional shoeing or trimming protocol which disables the natural bio mechanics of the hoof and trims/ forms the hoof to pre-determined angles which may not be optimal for that individual hoof, thus causing more damage.
You can email me directly if you would like for more information, barefoothorses@hotmail.com.
Jaimee says...
I am doing a paper on natural barefoot hoof trimming vs. shoeing a horse. I would like to know a little more information about natural barefoot trimming since i do have show horses and compete heavily and all my horses currently have shoes on. I would like to know a little about what kind of schools natuural barefoot trimmers attend and for how long?, also if they are informed about hoof anatomy, and bio mechanics. Also i would like to know a little more of how natural barefoot trimmers, trim the hoof. Thank you
Reply
Jaimee
11:17 PM on October 01, 2009
I am doing a paper on natural barefoot hoof trimming vs. shoeing a horse. I would like to know a little more information about natural barefoot trimming since i do have show horses and compete heavily and all my horses currently have shoes on. I would like to know a little about what kind of schools natuural barefoot trimmers attend and for how long?, also if they are informed about hoof anatomy, and bio mechanics. Also i would like to know a little more of how natural barefoot trimmers, trim the hoof. Thank you
Reply
lynn
11:46 PM on September 15, 2009
i switched farriers iv had the same horses for around 15 years the same farrier has done them i have never had a problem and have never had shoes on them and had never had a problem ever. my friend talked me into natural hoof care about a year ago well all 4 of my horses ended up with abcesses ended up doing corrective shoeing on all 4 horses he sayed he was a certified natural trimmer? why does this happen?? and how do i find out if they are really certified. thought i did my research. the whole deal vet anf farrier ended up costing me around 10,000 dollars for something that only cost me for 14 years 1,800 a year thats @ $50 a trim 9 times a year.
Reply
DARCY
12:20 PM on August 26, 2009
I AM TRYING TO GO NATURAL BUT SO FAR AM NOT PLEASED WITH MY FARRIER. I FEEL HE LEAVES TO MUCH OF A FLARE ON THE OUTER BACK SIDE OF THE HOOF. ANY SUGGESTIONS I CAN GIVE HIM WITH OUT CAUSING PROBLEMS?
Reply
Nicole Parish
03:57 AM on August 18, 2009
Nice web page, Nora! I've always ridden barefoot, didn't know there was such nonsense until I was older. Central valley, Ca.
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