"Barefoot" is a 24/7 lifestyle for the horse. The "trim" is just one aspect that allows a horse's hoof to function fully as it is designed by nature. And yes, it can be different than a farrier's "Pasture trim." There is no question by now that some people can, and do, successfully campaign their horses totally barefoot, and many others have had good results with temporary hoof protection products for training/competition. But the successful "Barefoot" lifestyle has some definite requirements, and not everyone is in a position to fulfill those needs !
One of the main requirements to keeping natural hooves healthy is movement. Confining a horse for days and weeks at a time in a 12x24 stall, while standing in poorly drained footing of feces and manure will not work!! (Think of ones own fingernails after having hands in dishwater for half an hour!) Yet, think of how many horses you know of that live this way! Their owners (at least endurance horses get movement!) do not know it matters, or cannot provide dry,spacious living area for each horse. It also helps horses to be in the company of other horses so as to move each other around, but that too is rarely possible. It has been noticed that within weeks of being gathered into holding pens or adopted out, formerly free-roaming Mustangs begin to show the hoof problems of domestic horses. It is the modern horse-keeping practices that ruin the natural hoof!
Steel shoes work for the humans. Steel shoes hold the hoof together when the horse is being forced to live in the wrong conditions, and not getting enough movement to stay healthy. (Nature designed the hoof to have about 20 grazing miles per day). Steel shoes raise the hoof off the ground, therefore, no pain when stepping on rocks after living in soft, mushy stalls. Steel shoes keep the foot at the same state of levelness for as long as they are attached. So steel shoes are frequently left on for 8-10 weeks, and barefooted horses should have leveling/trimming checked every 4-5 weeks, especially if performing. By hiring a farrier to take responsibility for the horses feet, the owner only needs to know how to write a check. Qualifies/certified barefoot trimmers are still not available in many areas, and the owner may not have the knowledge/ability to care for hooves themselves. Farriers can also get more money by applying steel shoes. These are only some of the reasons why steel shoes work for the general horse owner. But if you still want to know more about successfully keeping horses healthy without steel shoes,
Pete Ramey is one of
the current gurus on the Natural, Wild-Horse Barefoot trim. He has not
only devoted his life to the study of horses natural hooves, he is also
one of the best at explaining/sharing the knowledge. His DVD series has
even been praised by farriers, and his book, "Making Natural Hoofcare
Work for You" is straightforward and full of pictures. If anyone has a
question in their mind about their horses succeeding with the "Barefoot
Lifestyle," they could not go wrong by starting their quest with Pete
Ramey, and if what he has to say makes sense, there are all the other
relevant names that will pop up and pull you further into the rabbit
hole.
Terry "May the Horse be with you"
> To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > From: steph.teeter@xxxxxxxxx > Subject: [RC] barefoot trim > Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2008 08:24:32 -0600 > > Can somebody explain the principles of the bf trim? > > I've seen some great results, and have a lot of respect for those who > can manage to compete and keep their horse's feet in good shape. I'd > like to hear a little more of the pro's. > > Steph > > (tho I seriously doubt I could keep my horses here barefoot - too > much rock on range and trail) > > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= > > Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. > Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp > Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp > > Ride Long and Ride Safe!! > > =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= >
