Natural hoof trimming for a sounder horse

Natural hoof trimming, natural hoofcare and barefoot trimming are all terms used to describe a method of trimming that enables horses to be kept and ridden without shoes. There are many different styles of trim but they are mostly all based on the wild horse model.

However, it is not just simply a case of removing the shoes and happily riding off into the sunset. Most horses need to go through a transition period which allows the hooves to adapt to being barefoot. During that time hoof boots may be needed when riding.

Proper natural hoof trimming aims to:

• Encourage a tight laminar connection by dealing with flares to ensure that the coffin bone is held strongly in the top of the hoof capsule.

• The heels are trimmed to allow the frog to function in shock absorption.
  

• The walls are trimmed so that the sole is also weight bearing.
  

• The toe callus is encouraged to develop through conditioning to protect the front of the coffin bone.
  

• Ensure that the bottom edge of the coffin bone is kept at an approx 3° angle to the ground.
  

Potential issues with a traditional pasture trim:

• Often in a typical pasture trim the heels are left long which encourages contraction and can lead to navicular pain.

• The toe callus is trimmed away (from the bottom) leaving the tip of the coffin bone unprotected.

• The walls are flat and left higher than the sole so they have to support the entire weight of the horse.

• Flares are often ignored which puts strain on the laminar connection and results in poor suspension of the coffin bone making the horse more susceptible to laminitis.

• Trimming is often carried out on an infrequent basis, so the hooves are often not in an optimum state.
  

Trim Styles

• Applied Equine Podiatry

• Barefoot For Soundness

• Gene Ovnicek
  

• Pete Ramey

• The LIM (Less is More) Trim
  

Common Hoof Disorders

• Laminitis

• Navicular

• Forward Foot Syndrome

• Hoof Cracks

• Hoof Abscess
  

Other Great Hoof-Related Websites

www.ironfreehoof.com - Excellent website that gives very detailed, easy-to-understand, step-by-step information on trimming hooves

www.naturalhorsetrim.com - Lots of detailed information on dealing with laminitis and founder

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