Natural Performance Hoof Care
Check out some of our competing barefooter’s @ Love Sporthorses !
Overview: Barefoot Benefits
- Improved limb circulation
- Utilizes the knowledge of natural hoof form and function as the basis for barefoot hoof care
- Proper form and function of hoof
- Increases horse’s ability to tolerate concussive forces and shock absorption
Barefoot can be for every horse… BUT it is very dependent on the lifestyle as to how well transition works. Horses standing around in stalls will require a lot of extra hands-on assistance to make the transition work – this will include hand walking over a variety of surfaces on a daily basis. Horses with turn-out time will transition much easier to the barefoot model.
Barefoot hoof care provides the hoof with the ability to:
- Flex in response to the changes in terrain
- Assist in circulation (blood and lymph system)
- Protect the inner structures from outer variables
- Wear itself as needed to eliminate old and stimulate new growth
- Transfer information about the environment to the Central Nervous System
As Hiltrud Strasser, DVM states in her book, Shoeing: A Necessary Evil?:
“Since shoes are placed on the foot when it is non-weight bearing or narrowest state, the hoof is fixated and cannot function normally. Even a properly shod hoof limits the ability of the hoof to do it’s job, this means;
a) The lateral walls cannot expand,
b) reduction of natural shock absorption,
c) reduced circulation in the hoof with increased pressure inside the hoof,
d) additional stress on the heart.”
Jaime Jackson, in a Horse Owner’s Guide to Natural Hoof Care, states, “Blood circulation in, through and out of the hoof follows directly from the (hoof) mechanism. That is, the hoof’s normal and natural flexions facilitate the actual flow of blood, aided passively by the heart.”
“Barefootedness” is a lifestyle and physiological commitment that can test the psychological wherewithal of some owners. Some horses transition easily, others take some time and perhaps a “tough love” mentality for a short period of time. Once the commitment is made, the health and well-being of the horse are dramatically improved.
A large part of the potential success of going barefoot is lifestyle. Natural boarding situations will increase the speed and success of the transition for your horse’s comfort. This means natural movement, or turn-out, as much as possible, preferably with others if possible. Horses are herd animals and mentally will perform their jobs better if playtime is not forgotten.
Every horse can survive and excel barefoot – but there are many factors weighing in on the success of the transition. Put in Jaime Jackson’s words, a horse maintained through high performance barefoot is allowed “competence in performance.”
Trained one-on-one in Canada at a rehabilitation facility (Mielle Meadows) by a veteran barefoot trimmer, Garnas Equine offers an alternative to horseshoeing. It is Lu’s opinion that “barefootedness” is beneficial for the health of the horse’s hoof, as well as a general improvement of the horse’s overall health. Ask your barefoot trimmer about your horse’s potential.
