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