| Natural horse hoof care involves more than | | | | with circulation will eventually affect |
| just taking off the horse shoes. Natural | | | | overall health of the hoof. If a horse has |
| hoof care is part of a balanced diet and | | | | hoof problems, it is important to look at its |
| exercise routine, and is influenced heavily | | | | overall routine. |
| by the natural terrain in which a horse | | | | |
| lives. Natural hoof care integrates | | | | Natural Trimming |
| attributes of hoof shape and development of | | | | |
| wild, or un-domestic horses into practices | | | | An integral part of natural hoof care is |
| that help domestic horses. | | | | trimming. In the wild, horse hooves are |
| | | | naturally filed and trimmed by the terrain |
| Wild Horses | | | | over which they roam-some as much as 20 or 30 |
| | | | miles a day. Domestic horses often do not |
| Wild horses live for decades without shoes, | | | | have the luxury of unlimited travel over |
| and are perfectly "sound" or capable of | | | | varied terrain. Trimming the hooves in a |
| traveling long distances. Horse hoofs are | | | | specific way mimics the way hooves naturally |
| composed of many different types of tissue, | | | | wear in the wild. As previously stated, the |
| all working in tandem to support the horse. | | | | terrain makes a big difference in development |
| Hooves are combinations of bone, fleshy | | | | of hooves. When artificially simulating this |
| tissue and "fingernail-like" substances. The | | | | natural wear and tear, the person trimming |
| correct position and ratios of each type of | | | | the hoof must develop a plan to trim the hoof |
| tissue depends on the horse's natural | | | | in a manner that will benefit the horse in |
| environment. | | | | its current environment. |
| | | | |
| In the wild, horse hooves shape themselves | | | | A naturally trimmed, "barefoot" horse will |
| based on the terrain. Horses living in | | | | develop hard, callused feet that can stand up |
| rocky, abrasive and hilly terrain have much | | | | to wear and tear, and protect themselves |
| differently shaped hooves than horses living | | | | against bacteria, fungus and infections. The |
| on sandy, flat and marshy areas. Each | | | | naturally trimmed hoof, when maintained |
| portion of the hoof performs specific duties, | | | | correctly, and in balance with the rest of |
| and the terrain influences the growth and | | | | horse care, provides a more authentic stance |
| shape of individual parts to work together as | | | | for the horse, thus reducing its risk of |
| a whole, in a manner best suited for the | | | | debilitating lameness due uncomfortable |
| environment. | | | | conditions and compensation. |
| | | | |
| Modern Hoof Care | | | | Benefits of Natural Hoof Care |
| | | | |
| Traditional, modern hoof care calls for | | | | Natural hoof care is beneficial to horse and |
| routine trimming and shoeing of domestic | | | | owner. When properly practiced, natural hoof |
| horses in order to keep them sound and moving | | | | care makes the horse more "sound" and better |
| well. Too often, shoes are seen as the "cure | | | | in the ring, at pasture, and on the trail. |
| all" for any lameness, or difficulty with | | | | Natural hoof care reduces fees for shoeing |
| mobility, when in actuality, many factors | | | | horses, and for vet bills to treat lame |
| contribute to foot health. A horse's diet | | | | horses. It can extend the working life of a |
| strongly influences its circulation, and thus | | | | domestic horse, and will increase comfort of |
| the health of its extremities. As the hoof | | | | the horse. |
| is composed of living tissue, any problems | | | | |