Comments on: Barefoot Trim

By: rusty shepard

rusty shepard — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:18:06 +0000

We use the hpt trim by kc lapierre Absolutely no hoof issues our horses are fed teff hay and kept outside yr round (run in type shelters) rocky padocks that offer room for play acount for alot we boot before riding in the wet months

By: John Miller

John Miller — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 22:00:23 +0000

Nancy-
We may know of a barefoot trimmer in your area. (we are in Turlock)
E-mail us at MillerPaints@msn.com and let us know what you are needing. We have been using the barefoot trim for the last several years.

By: Nancy King

Nancy King — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 06:58:41 +0000

I am looking for a barefoot trimmer in the Manteca, CA area. Does anyone know of someone in this area? Cannot seem to find one.

Thanks!

By: No Hoof No Horse « Prairie Nerd in Paddock Boots

No Hoof No Horse « Prairie Nerd in Paddock Boots — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:12:27 +0000

[...] According to America’s Horse: [...]

By: Sharon McCleary

Sharon McCleary — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:44:30 +0000

Wow, good info. Thanks Evan, Kevin, Pat W., Diane, Cheryl and Jane. My son is a farrier/hoofcare (natural) provider and I travel with him frequently. There seem to be so many preconcieved ideas on these matters. I was raised WITH my parents Standardbreds, Hackneys and Quarter Horses. Unfortunately their last Standardbred out lived them. My son has teimmed her since he was 14 and she 15. She went barefoot until her death at 29. Little did he know then of how close it was to the process he has acquired from Pete and Jamie, et el. He sat at the head of our farriers (and any others he could find) since he was old enough to walk. It is as discussed an individualized trim, but with the overall fundamentals in the resulting “mustang hoof”. Mine are all barefoot and I am amazed at what it, as an entire regiment, can do for otherwise hopeless cases. He has professioanl training/certification and does still shoe his older clients’ horses, but would like to convert them (clients and horses). I am an obviously proud parent of a farrier. Thanks again.

By: Pat Nelson

Pat Nelson — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:59:46 +0000

I have had my horse (retired standardbred pacer) given “a mustang trim” for the past 6 months or so. But she hobbles cringing over gravel or any rough surface and that doesn’t seem to be improving over time (ie not getting better with each trim). In fact, right after a trim is the worst. I get her trimmed every 5 weeks. Her frog seems to be right down on the ground. Is this correct? I need to be able to ride her on at least a little gravel to get out and about, without her cringing with pain. Other barefoot horses in the barn can do it. Why is my horse hurting?

Any suggestions?

By: 40 Tips for Better Horsemanship – America’s Horse Daily

40 Tips for Better Horsemanship – America’s Horse Daily — Mon, 31 May 2010 12:04:30 +0000

[...] your horse’s hooves trimmed or shoed every four to six weeks, depending on your farrier’s [...]

By: Tania

Tania — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 22:08:44 +0000

I second that vet in the article.We don’t want to make the horse lame. Barefoot trims need to be achieved over time, and may even need hoof boots for the transition period. Better still, make the transition slowly, like over a year! Make sure whomever does said trim is a trained farrier with years of professional experience, not a weekend warrior.
A sudden change in foot can trigger founder as I discovered the hard way. So beware!

By: Cheryl Miller

Cheryl Miller — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 03:24:47 +0000

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!

By: Jane Ames

Jane Ames — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:16:18 +0000

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!

By: Diane Engelsdorfer

Diane Engelsdorfer — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:37:05 +0000

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.

By: Rhonda Moran

Rhonda Moran — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:22:59 +0000

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.