The first thing I will address is where the true sole plane is by exfoliating any chalky, white material from the sole. Nothing other than this chalky material is removed from the sole. Removing live sole material can result in the horse becoming sore. The exception to this is if the horse exhibits all indications that he has a negative coffin bone plane (coffin bone is pointing upward). I will then remove adequate sole at the toe to place the coffin bone in a more normal position (this may have to be achieved in more than one trim). The frog is then addressed by removing any loose flaps of material that can harbour bacteria and dirt or manure. Removal of any healthy frog can cause the horse to be sore. The depth of the collateral grooves on either side of the frog will help determine the thickness and concavity of the sole. I will then take down the bars to the sole plane or just above it. Next, I will address the hoof wall by taking down the excess to the sole plane or just above it, depending on sole thickness. Hoof balance is then checked and adjusted accordingly if required. A bevel is then applied to the hoof wall to encourage a natural breakover. Finally, I will finish the wall from the top of the hoof, addressing any flares and excess toe then rounding the edge of the wall to prevent chipping. Any pathologies are dealt with on an individual basis.
Most natural barefoot trimmers believe in the LIM (Less Is More) theory, only removing what needs to be removed as determined by the individual horse at hand. It is my personal experience that if something is removed from the hoof that the horse needs, it will return with a vengeance by the next trim! I have been known to remove lumps or ridges of sole from around the frog, only to have them pop back up by the time I return. I take this as an indication that the horse needs this extra sole to help support the inner structures of the hoof and usually then choose to leave it alone. When the hoof no longer requires this extra support, it will usually exfoliate the material on its own.
Traditional pasture trims, for the most part, tend to file the bottom of the sole and wall flat, as if in preparation for a shoe. This usually removes the toe callous that protects the tip of the coffin bone. This can be tolerated by thick-soled horses but devastating to thin-soled ones, leading the owner to believe that the horse needs shoes. A thin-soled horse will most likely need boots for riding while he builds sole and concavity during the transition phase. Due to diet, environment, conformation, ect.,some horses will always need to be booted for riding, but can be pasture sound barefoot.
Transitions periods generally range from 6 months to 1 year and, sometimes, up to 2 years. Barefoot is not an overnight fix, but a true commitment from the owner to better their horse's life. Some cases will see a horse fresh out of shoes go through a painful period. Do not be alarmed! This is natural and based on how long a horse has been in shoes before they were pulled. Their digital and lateral cushions in the back of their foot are very underdeveloped due to the shoes doing the work that they need time to build these areas up. I shod my 30 year old mare for 20 years before I discovered barefoot and pulled her shoes at 24. She was pasture sound but tender on any type of hard surface for 2 years before she became reasonably sound. I rode her in boots until she was 26, then she was retired due to unrelated issues. Her feet look amazingly good, considering her history. I will post pictures soon.
Optimum hoof performance cannot always be achieved by trimming alone. The diet needs to be addressed and balanced on an individual basis. This step is very important for horses that have been trimmed barefoot for a while and seemed to have plateaued in their improvement. This is where the owner needs to be involved to insure their horse's well being. More information can be found on websites posted on my Links page.
Most natural barefoot trimmers believe in the LIM (Less Is More) theory, only removing what needs to be removed as determined by the individual horse at hand. It is my personal experience that if something is removed from the hoof that the horse needs, it will return with a vengeance by the next trim! I have been known to remove lumps or ridges of sole from around the frog, only to have them pop back up by the time I return. I take this as an indication that the horse needs this extra sole to help support the inner structures of the hoof and usually then choose to leave it alone. When the hoof no longer requires this extra support, it will usually exfoliate the material on its own.
Traditional pasture trims, for the most part, tend to file the bottom of the sole and wall flat, as if in preparation for a shoe. This usually removes the toe callous that protects the tip of the coffin bone. This can be tolerated by thick-soled horses but devastating to thin-soled ones, leading the owner to believe that the horse needs shoes. A thin-soled horse will most likely need boots for riding while he builds sole and concavity during the transition phase. Due to diet, environment, conformation, ect.,some horses will always need to be booted for riding, but can be pasture sound barefoot.
Transitions periods generally range from 6 months to 1 year and, sometimes, up to 2 years. Barefoot is not an overnight fix, but a true commitment from the owner to better their horse's life. Some cases will see a horse fresh out of shoes go through a painful period. Do not be alarmed! This is natural and based on how long a horse has been in shoes before they were pulled. Their digital and lateral cushions in the back of their foot are very underdeveloped due to the shoes doing the work that they need time to build these areas up. I shod my 30 year old mare for 20 years before I discovered barefoot and pulled her shoes at 24. She was pasture sound but tender on any type of hard surface for 2 years before she became reasonably sound. I rode her in boots until she was 26, then she was retired due to unrelated issues. Her feet look amazingly good, considering her history. I will post pictures soon.
Optimum hoof performance cannot always be achieved by trimming alone. The diet needs to be addressed and balanced on an individual basis. This step is very important for horses that have been trimmed barefoot for a while and seemed to have plateaued in their improvement. This is where the owner needs to be involved to insure their horse's well being. More information can be found on websites posted on my Links page.
