by Susan Jaeger
So, you’ve heard about the “natural” horse and the “barefoot” trim, but are pretty sure that your horse has to be shod, right?
After all, the last time his shoes were pulled off, he could hardly walk across the driveway. What about the quarter crack you’ve been trying to grow out for two years?
Besides, his walls are pretty thin and flinty and your farrier tells you he has a touch of white line disease. His stride is a little short lately, too; maybe he has a sore back, or could it be the start of navicular syndrome?
Barefoot! No way! Not my horse … or could he?
Yes, he can, and it’s never too late to start restoring your horse’s natural hoof form. All of the problems above and more can be relieved, cured or, better yet, prevented by a return to a more natural, barefoot lifestyle.
What exactly do we look for in a natural hoof? Let’s start at the beginning. First, we must realize that the horse has been perfecting his hoof for 10 million years, and he’s got it right!
Form and function are combined to produce this perfect shock-absorbing, blood-pumping, tough, and absolutely vital part of the animal. Many studies, including those by barefoot experts such as Jaime Jackson, Dr. Robert Bowker, and Dr. H. Strasser tell us that a natural, sound hoof is low and wide in the heels and frog, with a short break-over at the toe and well rounded, thick walls with no cracks or flares.
Pressure on the walls at the quarters may be relieved by a slight hollow. The hairline is relatively straight and angles downwards to end in short, strong heels.
On the underside of the hoof, the frog is wide, flat, and firm and is at least two-thirds the length of the foot. The bars are short and straight, tapering from the heel buttresses to end about halfway down the frog. The laminae (white line) is narrow with no separation, and the sole is dense and smoothly concaved from toe to heel.
In movement, the hoof breaks over easily at the toe, the leg swings freely from the shoulder, and the landing is heel first. This heel-first landing is vitally important as it produces a ground parallel impact position of the coffin bone, and the initial concussion is absorbed through the frog and underlying digital cushion.
The concaved sole flattens and the coffin bone sinks. The hoof capsule expands, creating a vacuum in the blood vessels of the corium and literally “sucks” blood down the leg, creating a hydraulic cushion around the coffin and navicular bones, tendons, and lateral cartilages.
Almost every horse is born with the genetic capability to have these perfect hooves. Few, however, are given the chance to really develop them. Movement is the key. Unfortunately, most of our domestic horses are raised in some form of confinement. We confine their bodies in stalls. We nail iron onto young, growing feet, and restrict natural growth.
We shoe our performance horses and prevent proper ground contact and hoof expansion. We ride in soft arenas, never allowing the frog and sole to become conditioned to the work they were designed to do. Gradually, the hoof structure changes, and the function of the hoof is compromised.
Only with correct trimming and a return to a more natural lifestyle will our horses achieve lifelong health and soundness.
Restoring function requires a true commitment on the part of the horse owner, and the realization that there may not be a “quick fix.” It could take a year or more to heal severely dysfunctional hooves, but this is not beyond the ability of the average person.
Thousands of horse owners worldwide are embracing this new understanding of hoof physiology and are rehabilitating hooves and restoring soundness.
Barefoot horses are competing successfully in all sports, including barrel racing, 100-mile endurance, and steeple chasing. Advancements in hoof boot designs ease horses through the transition period from tender to tough, without a break in training.
Barefoot? My horse? You Bet!
Susan Jaeger was one of the first female farriers in Canada, training with many-time world champion blacksmith Bob Marshall, and graduating at the top of the class. In 2000, after a career of over 20 years as a farrier, she “hung up her anvil” to promote barefoot soundness and performance.
Her intensive, hands-on, one-day clinics give horse owners a new understanding of horse hoof care, and teaches them to safely and effectively trim their own horses. Susan may be contacted by phone at (780) 349-3364.
For more information on barefoot horses, start with these websites: www.hoofrehab.com; www. barefoothorse.com; and www. naturalhorsetrim.com
