Picture taken before we started our new trimming.
Barefoot trimming goes far beyond just trimming the hoof. Everything from diet, environment and exercise affect the hooves. Chemicals such as vaccines and dewormers can have negative effects on the hoof. I've known for years that barefoot was best for the average horse. It's more natural and allows the hoof to function as nature intended. Barefoot trimming is also different from a pasture trim. A pasture trim is basically preparing the hoof for shoeing, but not putting shoes on. The hoof wall is left long (to have something to nail to) and a lot of farriers will pare the sole (making it too thin and sore) and/or the frog (removing callouses and opening the frog up to thrush). Barefoot trimming is a huge subject that I'm still learning about. My main source of information is Pete Ramey's website at http://www.hoofrehab.com/ I'll add more here as I learn more about the barefoot horse. :)
The steps I've taken for Chrome's hooves are to add pea gravel to his barn for hoof stimulation, using salt water to harden his hooves and kill/prevent thrush, walking on different surfaces including asphalt, regular trimming, feeding a low starch/sugar diet, fecals (deworming when necessary) instead of regular deworming (event lines in his hooves following chemical dewormers started me on my quest for hoof health) and building a Paddock Paradise system to keep him moving. Follow along as we continue our journey.
Chrome's Hoof Current (3/12)
Faran's Hooves Before & After (current photo 3/12)
The Plan
Heel first landings are the ultimate goal because landing heel first is what builds a strong and healthy hoof. To get heel first landings this is what we're going to do:
Diet: Get hay tested and make sure vitamins/minerals are balanced, find a sugar free treat and cut sugar from the diet.
Exercise: Work on surfaces that encourage a heel first landing (or use boots). Once we attain heel first landings we will start walking barefoot on varying surfaces of asphalt, gravel, rocks, etc.
Trim: Continue to have my farrier trim him every eight weeks. Bevel his hooves and rasp back his heels/toes every week to keep overgrowth in check.
Wish me luck! If you have any advice on how to get heel first landings please email me at myfarmerlife@gmail.com Thanks!
Cheap Thrush Treatment/Prevention
Pour 1/4 cup of regular table salt into a spray bottle.
Fill with water (warm water dissolves it faster).
Shake well.
Clean out the horse's hoof really well.
Spray salt water over the bottom of his hoof (before you set it back on the ground), making sure to get it down in the grooves (be aware it might sting if their are open sores or if there is something worse than mild thrush going on).
Use your hoof brush to scrub the salt into the grooves.
Spray the hoof with salt water again and put hoof down.
This can be used daily when you clean hooves to prevent thrush and harden the hooves. :)
