Barefoot Trimming

[angelsdream]

Hello everyone -

Wanted to get everyone's opinion on barefoot trimming on there horses. I had a barefoot trimmer come out last night and do Lakota's feet and I loved it. She had shoes on when I got her 3 months ago and I've been doing a whole lot of research on natural hoofcare and have been wanting to make that transition with her. Everything she said and all that I've read made so much more sense - so much better for the horse. I will be transitioning all my horse's to barefoot. Over time I will be able to do the maintenance on her feet myself- it's not very hard at all. My plan is to watch her over the next year each time she comes out to trim Lakota and see exactly what she does and hopefully be able to do it after that. The great thing is this lady explains everything she does and why she is doing it. I think I will still get her to come out every now and again after I take over just to look at her feet and make sure they are good.

[JoanMRK]

It is hard to come by good farriers around here, let alone barefoot trimmers. They're more in our big city about an hour away and charge a good fee because of the travel. I do have a good farrier who went to a bare foot trimming clinic and that's more the style he does on my horses. I never put shoes on them, and really don't plan to either.

I have a friend who lives in Southern California and boards her horse. She uses a barefoot trimmer on her horse and she also said she can do maintenence but still has the trimmer come out a couple times a year just to make sure things are growing correctly.

Glad you found such a nice lady to help you in this process! Sounds like you'll be learning a lot, I hope you're able to share about it.

[fantasykiger]

Just keep an eye on your horses and be watchful of there reactions. I would love to have all barefoot horses and do own a few horses that are but I don't believe all are meant to be so. My daughter just bought a mare that spent the last few years as a barefoot horse under the care of a barefoot trimmer. The previous owner commented on the horses fast quick walk on the trail which made her unfit for her kids to ride and part of the reason she was for sale. The reason for the fast quick walk was because of the pain she was suffering during every trail ride going barefoot. We gave this mare some time off and applied a full set of shoes and she is a whole new horse. I could give you a list of issues this horse had all stemming from the pain, all fixed by a set of shoes. So just be aware not all horse are bred with fabulous feet suitable for the barefoot route.
I do hope it works out for you though because it is pretty awesome to be able to maintain barefoot horses. I do have a friend who is able to keep all her horses barefoot, even her driving horse, it is great.

[heidirenee]

We are trying the barefoot trimming with our new horses. The guy that sold us the pair said he has never put soes on either one. The farrier said Smokey our mustang/QH has some of the hardest feet he has ever seen. I think its great to be able to keep them this way but we will see how they both do on the trails next year. There are lots of lava rock in Central Oregon and it wears on them pretty fast.

[dara]

Why not put boots on the horses that we think needs shoes?? I worked for a small animal vet for two years and she was also a well versed barefoot trimmer and i picked her brain often! How she explained it to me was there is a natural flexing of the hoof wall while in movement that helps pump blood back in the legs, when you put shoes on it stops ANY flexing of the hoof.

So if we think a horses needs a little extra protection from rough terrain then why not put the boot on insted of nailing a constricting metal bar on them. I am not directing this at ANYONE.. GMO . I have had front shoes on one of my girls at one time when i was doing alot of riding some time ago. and as i would not like to put the money out for the boots i think they are only a bit more expensive than a full set of shoes. I hope that i will never need them but i would rather buy boots than shoes.

[DianneC]

Would there be protection from lava rock for their fetlocks too? I've never put shoes on any of my horses but our biggest problem is mud, not rock.

[fantasykiger]

We tried boots, and they grip very well to the rock. So well that the horses walk right out of the boots. Now I know there is adhesive you can use in the boots as well to help the adhere to the boots so during climbing they don't slip out from the boots. If I only rode my horses once in awhile on rocky terrain it might be worth the trouble to just use the boots now and then. but I ride my horses alot and with shoes they are geared to go. No hassle, no mess. Mind you the horses I ride the most at this time are not Mustangs but a Morgan and a Clydesdale..not sure they make draft boots yet
I try to keep my Mustangs barefoot unless an issue shows up with Fantasy I have only had to keep her fronts shoed for trail riding. Wickee has even much better feet I have high hopes she will never need shoes.

[zephyrcreek]

There are many types of "Boots" to use, but it is important to find the ones that work for the individual horse, and to make sure they are adjusted properly. All of my horses are barefoot, but I use boots when needed. I rode Rocky across the state 100% barefoot. I did take my easyboots with me just in case. While the plain jane easyboots work wonderful for my arab Topic, they do not fit Rocky well. Topic has the typical arab hoof, and the base is much wider than at the coronet. This allows the clips to really hold the boot in place. Rocky's hooves are much more upright, and the base is not significantly wider than at the coronet band.

With the miles I put on Rocky in training rides and Endurance rides, this has been a concern to me, but I will do everything I can not to put metal shoes on him. Some of the alternatives to look at are the glue on shoes. These are generally made of plastic/rubber products and allow the hoof to flex more than a metal shoe. The other product that seems to be quickly gaining popularity is products made by Vettec. They have 2 different products that I will be trying over the next few weeks (if my order comes in on time ;D.)

Sole-Guard is suggested for "horses transitioning away from shoes, barefoot horses in rough terrain, or to comfort later term brood mares." It is a rubber like adhesive that is used to pack the frog area and protect the sole of the hoof. It protects the hoof from sharp rocks, and gives added support. It does not protect the hoof (toe) from wear and tear.

The other product I am considering from Vettec is an adhesive that you apply to the same area that you would a horse shoe. Once the product cures you can clip and rasp it just like the natural hoof. The benefit of this product is that it does protect from wear and tear and gives allows complete flexabiity.

According to my sister many of the H/J crowd are starting to switch over to many of the Vettec products with very good results. I had to laugh as Sarah and I were both looking at the same products at the same time. We have both placed orders, and I'll let you know what I think after we try it out. Hopefully I will be using the Sole-Guard at my next Endurance ride over Labor Day weekend. We will be riding 90 miles over 3 days.

Ellen

[JoanMRK]

Ellen have you ever tried Old Macs or known anyone who has? I am sure they wouldn't be for the endurance crowd being they're more like hiking boots, but just curious as I've seen them advertised before.

[kimk]

I have two friends who use the old mac boots on thier horses fronts when out riding. they love them and the horses seem to also. I just rode a couple weeks ago with a gal who is transitioning her horse to barefoot and is using the old macs as well. so far it's 3 for 3.
I have never needed any boots for any of my horses and we ride some pretty rocky mountainous areas, but I would be interested in knowing more about the products Ellen is talking about, just in case. I think Hannah, my new red dun adoptee might be a candidate later on, but will wait and see. Ellen, I think Rocky has his daddys feet!
Kim

[cherylw]

I have used Old Macs and Boas in some heavy riding. I have liked both of them, but prefer the Boas. Old Macs are heavier duty, I think.

[desperatehorsewife]

I need to get something for Jet because she's one of those who's a bit on the tender side. Trouble is, she's as wide if not wider than she is long, and boots just don't fit. The farrier was going to give me some product sample that a salesman gave him, but we both forgot when he drove out the driveway.

I have a question for those of you who've looked into the mechanics of barefoot trims. Do you take their heels down more than when you put shoes on? I've had a barefoot trimmer out for the past two years but she was in a car accident so no longer trimming. I had another farrier out a couple of months ago who has done a terrific job with Sandy, but he doesn't normally come up this far. So when the girls were done a couple weeks ago I had someone else who is very popular and does a great job on the show horses up here, but he thought Jet's heel was too low and suggested that's why she may be tender. What do you think?

[angelsdream]

Im going to purchase a set of boots just in case, but I dont think she'll need them. Only time will tell. We ride mostly in the mountains where there's little rocks, but we do have to ride on a gravel road sometimes.

Im going to start researching the different kinds of boots.

Here's a few websites on barefoot trimming. Desperate horse wife, maybe you can find some info on your question about the heels, Im just learning all this, so I dont want to tell you something that Im not sure is accurate...maybe the websites will help

www.thehorseshoof.com/
www.hopeforsoundness.com/natbalance/nbguidelines.html
www.hopeforsoundness.com/natbalance/nbtrim.html

[fantasykiger]

That vettec stuff is awesome and I have used it on horses with some serious hoof issues or to correct a fault. But to use it in place of a shoe I have yet to consider because of the amount of riding I do on paved roads and the cost. I already spend a small fortune on shoes.
I most definately think if I was endurance riding and just had one horse then it most definately would be something I would consider because my horses feet would be high priority and worth the expense, to give it try. You do need a real good farrier, trained to use the product and make sure you get it good and balanced. It may appear ugly in appearance on the hoof at first, to some folks. It is very differant, but it is pretty awesome stuff.

[angelsdream]

Update on Lakota and the transition to barefoot. I bought some Boa boots because she was very ouchy on the rocks. I mean VERY OUCHY. I have not used them yet on the trail, just put them on her and let her trot circles for a bit. She didnt seem to mind them. My barefoot trimmer came out yesterday to trim her feet and she said her feet are wonderful, coming along great. She is still ouchy, and I believe she has a bruise on her right hoof because she is giving on it when she trots, I noticed it Saturday. The barefoot trimmer said to put the boots on her and if it goes away, then its a bruise but if it doesnt, then its something else. She said to soak her foot in apple vinegar and epson salt to help with it.

She said if the boots twist any at all, then they are not right for her feet, they should stay secure. I did buy the gaitors with them so that does help a lot to keep them secure. Im still very green with hoof boots so need all the advice I can get but I wanted to help her during the transition of her feet hardening. Once they are hard, I dont think we'll need them anymore. She said it usually takes 3-6 months to toughen up.

I am learning how to trim also - she shows me everything she does. It's been about 2 1/2 months since she's been out, I trimmed Lakota's feet about 3 weeks ago when they starting chipping some from where she had grown out. All I did was rasp the chips and make the roll again, and with me riding her on the pavement, she naturally trimmed them also.

This is all very exciting for me, I love the natural way. Not only am I saving a ton from not shoeing, but eventually I'll be able to do it all myself and will not be spending any on maintenance. We figured up how much we used to spend on shoes, $65/every 6 weeks, that adds up over a years time. Plus no shoes is sooo much more better for the horse. So there's only positives going this route. IMO