Barefoot Trim
January 29, 2009
What exactly is a barefoot trim?
By Tom Moates, with contributions from Kristin Syverson
In theory, a “barefoot trim” gives a domestic horse’s hoof the same shape as a wild horse’s hoof. Supporters of the barefoot trim believe that if it happens in nature, it must be the best thing for the horse. So, it would be reasonable to associate a ‘barefoot trim’ with ‘natural.’
This ‘natural’ design is based largely on a study of mustang hoof wear in some specific western North American environments. Sometimes, you will also hear a barefoot trim referred to as a “mustang trim” for this reason.
Traditionally, farriers have been responsible for trimming both shod horses’ hooves and barefoot horses’ hooves. Fans of the barefoot trim, however, suggest that a farrier trims every hoof as if it will eventually have a shoe on it and that a ‘barefoot’ horse requires something else entirely. The ‘barefoot trim’ is actually quite different than the trim a shod horse receives.
Not sure about the best way to keep your horse’s feet healthy? Order AQHA’s “Equine Hoof Health” to understand the how’s and why’s of trimming, shoeing and general hoof maintenance.
Traditional Trim
- Heels longer than barefoot trim
- Bottom of hoof edge rasped sharp
- The toe is left longer and sharper than barefoot trim
Barefoot Trim
- More petite look from taking off more heel
- All flare removed from the sides
- “Breakover” in the toe of the front feet
The breakover is where the front third of the hoof of the front feet is angled or beveled, eliminating the sharp long toe. This arrangement is said to provide a more natural pivot point in the step, so the flex and mechanics to the foot and leg structures are more natural and better for the horse.
It also is generally explained in barefoot-trimming literature that this trim should ensure a heel-first landing, placing the bulk of the weight landing onto the heel, which may not always be the case in a more traditional trim where toe-first landings are most likely. Horses with barefoot trims are thought to have a reduced risk of injury, an overall proper balance of motion and better performance.
The Vet’s View
“There’s nothing wrong with a horse going barefoot.” says Dr. Tracy A. Turner, of Anoka Equine Veterinary Services in Elk River, Minnesota. Dr. Turner, whose specialty is equine lameness, worked as a farrier before entering veterinary medicine and published the now-classic article, “The Art and Frustration of Hoof Balance,” in the American Farrier’s Journal.
Whether your horse is shod or barefoot, AQHA’s “Equine Hoof Health” gives you the info you need. This in depth report will help you stay one step ahead by teaching you the causes and treatments of navicular, laminitis, white line disease, cracks and flares.
“If your horses don’t need shoes, don’t put shoes on them. I’d choose to have a horse go barefoot over being shod in general.”
On the topic of barefoot trims, however, Dr. Turner has some words of caution.
“Some are really radical,” he says. “My rules of thumb are: Anything that draws blood can’t be good. Anything that leaves your horse lame afterward can’t be good.”
His professional advice comes from personal experience. He has witnessed instances where radical and bloody trims were performed on horses’ feet by self-professed barefoot trimmers in the name of healing troubled hooves, which had sad and ultimately fatal consequences. He stresses, however, that a good trim is a good trim, regardless of who does it – farrier, trimmer or horse owner.
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Comments
14 Comments on “Barefoot Trim”
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February 6th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
We own and manage Little Wing Stables in CA. We offer boarding, senior care, and rehab services. Most of our horses here are barefoot and we are blessed to have the services of Lynn Seeley, a well known and well experienced barefoot trimmer in this area. I like your article and I particularly the stress on a balanced trim. Thank You Brenda Armitage Genereal Manager
February 6th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
We have had all our horses barefoot for the last 25 years.My wife got a mare that had been improperly trimmed and shod for years and developed serious foot problems.Everyone said put her down…Then I accqiured a gelding that would not let any farrier do his feet.So I decided to learn how to do them myself since he would only let me touch his feet.I tried evey farrier in the county of San Diego,Ca.They would’nt get one foot done and they would start to hit him with the nippers and I’d say hold it.From there I got into Barefoot Care and foot supplements.Biotin,source and Augment etc.It takes a year for the hoof to grow out from the coronary band to the ground but it’s worth the wait.All our horse have feet of steel.I almost can’t get the nippers through them.The mare recovered after years of pads and every kind of shoe imaginable and spent the last 15 years of her life pain free and trail riding.They go over rocks and when they come home you can hardly tell.I recommend going to the web site Hoof Goddess.com(Martha Olivio) in texas one of the best barefoot farriers in the country and she is always glad to talk to you.She can recommend a certified barefoot farrier in or near you.Also read “The Navicular Syndrome”and remember hoof angles have changed in last 15 years since Davis vetinary school in Davis,Ca. used the computerized tredmill for horses.Equus magazine did a story on the the new angles from Davis.You can order a back copy.50-52 degrees in front and 54-57 in back.Invest in a Protractor.It measures foot angle and they are only a few bucks.To quote a line from the movie “Hidalgo”.”Let’er Buck”.
February 7th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Our 25 year old mare, Katie, 3x state champion in Western Pleasure had been shod from 6 months old because we were told her hoof wall was too thin. During all these years she suffered lameness frequently. I learned the barefoot trim technique and her feet didn’t bother her anymore. Her feet took on the rounder shape of a wild horse and were hard as rocks. I am totally convinced that barefoot is the way to go. I learned how to perform this trim by attending a seminar put on by AZ HOOF REHAB. I would certainly recommmend that others learn and use this technique. It was a joy to see Katie move without pain!!!
February 8th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
We own a 12 year old mare with laminitis. She has been under the care of a barefoot hoof care professional for 6 months. She has made a remarkable improvement! We switched her to Triple Crown Low Starch Feed from our local Kent Feed dealer and grass hay only in combination with the natural hoof care. Now a mare that many people, including our vet, would recomend putting down, is gradually returning to active duty. I strongly recommend this approach to anyone with a “problem” horse.
February 8th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Don’t knock the farrier. Yes I am one and have been trimming and shoeing horses for 25 yrs. A proper, balanced trim is essential to barefoot or shod horses alike and a well experienced professional will strive for this every time.To describe someones work as a traditional or barefoot trim is ridiculous. In my practice I simply trim each horse (shod or not) to accomodate that particular animal according to thier conformation and environment. In my experience there is always a reason behind why someone would do anything in trimming a foot. Ask, maybe it’s a good idea, maybe it’s not, but both parties stand a chance of learning something if you do. And remember most professional farriers spend the equivilant as a university degree in learning thier profession. Do barefoot trimmers?
February 13th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
My AQHA stallion was trimmed up until his 3 year. Then I had a farrier that either hurt him or his feet. He absoulutely refused anyone near his feet, even me. So, now he is 12 and is perfectly sound and happy. He trims his own hoofs on rocks or whatever. I have had pro farriers come up and ask me who did his shoes and I proudly say “He Does”! When I was breeding him, I had several mares that had just been trimmed and they ended up doing some bad damage to him with their “sharp” hooves. I recommend barefoot to everyone if they can. The mustangs have no problem running, jumping etc over the hard terrain, and I bet very few get lame doing it.
February 18th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I would like to respond to Mr. Alcocks question about how long it takes to train to become a proficient natural hoof care practitioner. It took me a couple years of traveling all over the country training with professionals such as Pete Ramey hoofrehap.com, Todd Janes, John Graves, Jaime Jackson, Richard Drewry, just to name a very few of the folks I worked with, as well as seminars with Dr. Robert Bower. After 6 years of trimming and teaching, I’m still learning and always will be. It never stops, there is so much to know about creating a natural hoof. And I don’t necessarily trim to the model of the wild horse hoof, I trim to the healthiest natural hoof of each individual horse. I don’t trim to their body conformation, the job their doing or anything else as many farriers might tell you is right. I simply trim to a hoof that is a perfect as possible for each horse.
And good natural hoofcare people do not attack farriers because too many of us were farriers including most the folks I mentioned above. A farrier by my definition is someone who cares for the equine hoof. So I consider myself a farrier and a darned competent one. I just happen to understand the damage shoes can cause the hoof, so I choose not to apply them.
February 20th, 2009 at 8:24 am
Great reply from Pat. Obviously you are professional and I admire that. My frustration stems from the idea that because I shoe horses as well as trim them I can’t possibly understand the “Natural Way”.Putting shoes on horses is not always a bad thing.There are some really great reasons to shoe or not to shoe, just pick the best for your horse.(Mine are barefoot too). Pat knows as a farrier our education never stops and yes we do seek education from a wide variety of sources. Also, the idea of a traditional trim confuses me. Never in all my career has anyone ever taught this to me. Am I missing the boat on traditional trimming or does this even really exist? Thanks Pat
March 10th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
I live in a suburb of Kansas City, Mo. Are there any barefoot practitioners this area? I am struggeling with the learning process. Thanks.
March 20th, 2009 at 11:40 am
I have a 2 year old Draft Horse who by rthe way has a marvalious disposition.However his feet are splitting alot up the hoof.Is there anything I can do to prevent so much splitting?Anythiing I can put on it? I have his hoofs trimmed about every month and a half,he is not shoed(we are out in farm land). They put a vertical cut above the splits to stop them from running further but I cant see that it is really stopping it. HELP?
June 7th, 2009 at 6:22 am
In response to Laurel Lynch. Get a natural trimmmer. If your horse is still getting a “pasture trim” the hoof is experiencing peripheral loading on the hoof walls from flaring. That is why the hoof is not healing. Natural trimming prevents peripheral loading. In the last 3 years, my 18 year old arabian mare had symptoms of discomfort and wear all over her body, bucking, and generally unhappy while ridden. I had her treated for Lyme Disease (we live in the Northeast where its rampant); I am using a quality treeless saddle; and, more importantly, I removed her shoes and started with an experienced barefoot trimmer. After 10 months of a transitional period. She no longer bucks and looks like she is 5 years old again. Her feet are tough as nails and beautiful. I know I made the right decision to have her go barefoot and trimmed properly. A pasture trim might work for shoes but not effectively for a barefoot horse.
September 10th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Yes, get a natural trimmer and make sure they really do have the education they claim to. I lost a year with my laminitic horse because I believed a farrier who lied to me about his understanding of barefoot trimming. He continued to remove sole from my horse and file the feet flat while telling me the horse “needed” shoes. Please carefully check the person’s credentials and talk to some of his or her customers AND educate yourself so you know what they are really doing.
September 27th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
I have tow horses that I keep on a “paddock Paradise” system, just a run-in, barefoot, no blankets, 24/7 access to hay, with water at one corner, hay in all four corners, minerals, in another. These guys are happy and healthy. Their attitudes are so much better than most other horses i see. They move all day and night, play and rest when they feel like it. I have seen my mare’s feet grow out a thicker hoof wall in the year I have had her. I even had my husband put their feed buckets on the floor in the corners of their run-in. The sad part is that most horse people I talk to think I don’t know what I’m doing and shake their heads. In the meantime, I have horses that are healthy and happy without any stress or bored-related issues. It’s great to simply see them be horses!
November 28th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
I recently learned how to trim my own horses. I have two geldings that I do endurance and CTR’s with. Next year, I will be competing them barefoot, and booted when terrain calls for it. Following the “mustang trim” was the best thing I could have learned. It is also important to learn how much diet is connected to their feet. Get as much sugar out of the diet as possible! Jan, I am following much the same with the “paddock paradise” like you are, and my horses are healthy and happy also. I find it all very fascinating, and wish I would have learned about it years ago. Just to see the hoof wall grow in thicker, and the heels get wider, is amazing. No more shoes for my horses!