ADDRESSING QUESTIONS ABOUT GOING BAREFOOT Cindy Sullivan

THE FOLLOWING ARE THINGS I SAY OVER AND OVER TO POTENTIAL NEW CUSTOMERS , TO CURIOUS BARNMATES OF CURRENT CUSTOMERS , ETC .

There are as many opinions about natural hoof care or “barefooting” among non-shoeing farriers as there are opinions about how to forge and apply various shoes among shoeing farriers. The current trend toward keeping barefoot is not simply taking horses out of shoes. It is a management philosophy based on the innate needs of the according to its physiology over the convenience of the owner. People need to understand that and should not decide to hire a natural hoof care practitioner unless they are committed to the long term health and well being of the horse above their own ambitions as a rider.

If you view the horse simply as a means to an end in competition, a “vehicle for the ego” so to speak, then don’t waste our time. Our mission is to educate owners into re-thinking the needs of their horses, in the best interest of the horses. That does not mean people cannot ride! But it does mean changing horse husbandry practices with the horse’s well-being in mind to provide stronger, healthier, happier horses to ride. It means creating a symbiotic relationship – beneficial to both horse and human, rather than a parasitic one in which the human benefits but the horse is all used up. What happens at the hoof is only a small part of the bigger picture of Natural Hoof Care.

If you engage our services be prepared to have your beliefs about hoof care, diet, turnout, housing, saddles, bits, riding, training and even dental care challenged. You can even expect to be challenged in many cases on your choice of riding discipline for a particular horse. For example: I am often asked by gaited horse people, “If I take these special shoes off my horse, what if he won’t gait?” My reply is simple, “Then get another horse!” My reasoning is equally simple. Gaited horses are bred to gait. But their ability varies by individual. If the horse you have chosen will only gait by applying artificial devices, then you are forcing it to perform in a way to which it was not born, in a way for which it was not well bred. Go get a horse that was better bred and gaits naturally in its own healthy bare feet, uninfluenced by hoof devices. The same logic applies to specific disciplines. Forcing that foundation bred, heavily muscled 15h Quarter Horse to enter the arena as a Jumper, or forcing that tall lanky Thoroughbred cross to compete as a Reiner, just because that is what you want to do, is down right harmful to the horse. Certain breeds are suited for certain things, choose the right horse for your ambitions. These are among the issues with which Natural Hoof Care practitioners concern themselves in addition to helping the horse recover the strong natural feet it was born to have.

Do not jump into Natural Hoof Care blindly. Thoroughly research the subject, understand the concepts of whole horse health and be prepared to commit to management changes. Read, read and when you are done…read some more - books, web sites, as much as you can so you can make an informed decision. Consult with a professional who is experienced with natural hoof care and visit with owners and their horses already engaged in the practices of natural hoof and horse care. Horses are competing barefoot in all disciplines at all levels in increasing numbers around the world. If a judge or show committee mandates shoes be worn by competitors it simply shows their ignorance. They can do anything their shod counterparts can do, and do it with a grace and surefootedness that puts shod horses to shame. Not only because they are unshod, but because of the entire scope of care required to keep a horse healthy and sound. If you are apprehensive about taking your horse “barefoot”, if you have been told your horse can’t go without shoes, understand this: A horse that is sound only in shoes is not a sound horse.

THESE ARE ANSWERS I OFTEN GIVE TO SPECIFIC QUESTIONS :

Please tell me a little about you (how long have you been a farrier; how long have you been performing barefoot trims; why did you become interested in barefoot trimming, etc). I began my training some 30 + years ago but primarily did farrier work on the side until about 8 years ago when I adopted a mustang from BLM. Most people come to barefoot because of some pathology that conventional hoof practices have been unable to correct. I did not, I came to it because of the impressive feet on my mustang, a horse without the so called “benefit” of regular hoof care by a human. I had never seen such strong healthy feet. While searching for an explanation and more information about wild horses, I came across Jaime Jackson and his work. It made perfect sense to me.

Please define the term “barefoot hoof care” or “barefoot trim .” Those terms reference a type of hoof care that is patterned after the Mustang hoof and called by various names: Trim, Barefoot Trim, Natural Trim. I prefer the term Natural Hoof Care. While there is nothing “natural” about a horse’s feet being influenced (trimmed) by humans, the word natural, in this case is referencing the premise of leaving the hoof unshod, i.e., in its natural state.

Does a “barefoot” trim differ from “natural” or “pasture” trims? If so, in what ways? People tend to use the term barefoot trim and natural trim interchangeably, so when someone is talking about a barefoot trim or a natural trim being used on their horses, there is no real difference of meaning between the two in the sense that what they mean is a reference to a way of trimming the hoof that is designed to simulate the natural wear a horse would achieve if it were living out in the wild and leaving the horse unshod regardless of its activity. The application of a pasture trim depends upon the individual farrier applying it, but in general terms people use it to mean a horse left unshod with no significant difference in the way it is trimmed than it would receive if a shoe were to be applied. The PRIMARY difference between the two is that with the barefoot or natural trim, what is done to the feet is only a part of the process. Qualified practitioners evaluate and counsel owners about diet, lifestyle, environment, saddle fit and rider influence, musculoskeletal issues and many other things affecting the horse that contribute to unbalanced or unhealthy feet. That’s not to say that some shoeing farriers don’t do that as well, but owners who have opted for natural hoof care overwhelmingly report that their previous farrier or farriers felt that their job stopped at the hairline.

I understand there are several different methods of barefoot trimming, including the Strasser and wild- horse models. Can you briefly explain these (or other) methods in lay terms?

No I can’t explain the different methods. I am familiar with all of them, but to give a fair and balanced commentary on each one would require a book! Interested owners should research each method and talk with owners that have experienced each before making a decision. I find that the best hoof care professionals have studied most if not all methods, in addition to farrier science and those that excel at their craft are those who understand their real instruction comes from each horse rather than someone’s formula of how the hoof should be trimmed.

What are some benefits associated with keeping horses barefoot? There are many benefits when pared with more natural diet and lifestyle choices

• Freer movement and balance, longer strides, increased sure footedness • More exercise improves overall health and fitness levels • Sound hooves and no need for shoes • Less, muscle and skeletal problems • Fewer incidents of • Improved working attitude • No lost ride time due to lost shoe • Increases vitality • Reduced costs (e.g. veterinarian and hoof care) over the lifespan of the horse

Why might an owner decide to keep a horse barefoot? An owner should not decide to keep a horse barefoot unless they are committed to the long term health and well being of the horse above their own ambitions as a rider. The should have thoroughly researched the subject, understand the concepts of whole horse health and be prepared to commit to diet and lifestyle changes as well. It is not just about keeping shoes off the horse.

Are there criteria a horse should meet to be a candidate for barefoot trims? This falls entirely on the owner, not on the horse. Commitment of the owner to healthy lifestyle and diet. Understanding that a horse that is sound only in shoes is not a sound horse.

Can any horse be kept barefoot? Yes any horse can be kept barefoot it al depends on the ambitions of the owner versus the best interest of the horse.

Are there medical or performance reasons that would hinder a horse from being kept barefoot?

Certainly, such as in the case of certain types of fractures in which case the shoe is used much the same way as a cast to prevent the natural expansion of the hoof capsule upon weight bearing.

Are there certain medical conditions that can be relieved by keeping a horse barefoot?

Barefoot management can help prevent common problems such as , splints, arthritis, ringbone and when combined with essential environmental changes and diet changes.

Is there any disadvantages or complications that may arise from keeping a horse barefoot? Is it a disadvantage in the show ring?

It shouldn’t be. If a judge or show committee mandates shoes be worn by competitors it simply shows their ignorance. If a horse can compete barefoot (and they can do so beautifully), then there is no reason not to.

How long does it take for an average horse to get used to being barefoot and/or develop an acceptable hoof? There is no way to put a timeline on it. Each horse is different and it would depend upon many factors such as: existing pathology, overall health, management practices, diet and the willingness of the owner to make necessary environmental changes. Some horses come out of shoes and just keep on going with never a hitch. Some require rehabilitation and conditioning over time to grow a strong healthy foot. With the growing variety of quality hoof boots available today from Easy Care (www.easycareinc.com)

How should an owner decide if keeping their horses barefoot is right for them? An owner should decide based on what the horse means to them, i.e. is it best for the horse?

When using a barefoot trim, are horses still trimmed on the average 6-8 week cycle? It depends on the needs of the horse. Most of my clients are trimmed on a six week cycle, but some are on 4 weeks, some on 5 weeks.

What advice do you have for people who may be considering keeping their horses barefoot? First and foremost, do your research. Read, read and when you are done…read some more. Books, web sites, as much as you can so you can make an informed decision. Consult with a professional who is experienced with natural hoof care. Talk with other owners who keep their horses barefoot.