Dare to go Bare

by Kate Romanenko

The barefoot movement is upon us as many horse owners are finding that their horses are doing well without shoes. Some horse owners have tried going barefoot, but have had a bad experience with it. It is important to realize that not all barefoot trims are the same. Correct barefoot trim does not just trim excess hoof growth, but allows the hoof to function properly. Also, not all barefoot trimmers will trim exactly alike; however, they will all agree that the hoof has functions that should be accommodated.

The natural hoof
The hoof is designed to protect, give traction act as a shock absorber and give a heart-supporting blood-pumping action. When correctly done, the barefoot (or natural) trim allows for maximum hoof flexibility and strength. It creates maximum blood flow with each step, promoting continuous healthy hoof growth. Because horses are flight animals and, in the wild, continuously on the move for better grazing opportunities, their feet are designed to carry them over all types of terrain comfortably and safely.

Some people may believe that domestic horses work harder than wild horses and, therefore, require hoof protection. I would argue that the horse living in the wild has a much harder life than we realize. Roaming 10-20 miles a day, searching for food (including pawing through snow crust), mares carrying foals running from predators, continuously being exposed to temperature changes, migration and less than optimum surfaces. As we have discovered, most wild horses have few hoof problems and their hooves wear down naturally in fairly specific ways.

Signs of unhealthy hooves are cracks, splits, thrush, abscesses, flares, bruises, tripping, or stumbling and snow and ice build-up in the winter months. Many domestic horses have chronic conditions such as founder or navicular syndrome. Contracted heels are common in shod horses. These conditions can be helped, and often even eliminated by a natural trim and changes in management. We can blame breed, diet and genetics for poor hoof quality in some horses. However, the majority of hooves can be made stronger and healthier if given the opportunity. Exceptions would be hooves that have been damaged by severe trauma, medical surgeries or prolonged disease.

Qualities of a barefoot trim
The results of a barefoot trim are hooves that closely resemble those of free-roaming horses, with characteristics produced through constanc growth and wear. The sole area around the frog should be trimmed to expose the connections between the frog and sole. "Dead" sole (usually soft and crumbly) should be removed and the live sole trimmed slightly concave with the wall left higher than the sole. Only the sole area at the toe can be left level with the wall. The sole is now able to flex and lay flat on weight bearing giving the horse better support and feel of the surface. The bars should be slightly higher than the sole, but not as high as the wall. Heel height is approximately three to four centimeters from the edge of the heel/bulb hairline. Heel height should be level with the bulbs of equal height. Most natural farriers will also scoop out the quarters to allow for hoof capsule expansion and some will “mustang roll” (finish with a rounded bevel) the wall to give the hoof a fast breakover, reduce flaring (which causes white line separation) and remove the lever force of a long toe.

Because our domestic horses do not roam for miles each day, it is our duty as caretakers to trim them for comfort and safety. This means a coffin bone that is parallel to the ground, and a frog and heel bulbs that can contact the ground. Once the natural hoof functions have been restored, all new hoof growth will be healthy and strong and will provide your horse with all the traction and shock absorption it needs.

Additional healthy hoof requirements
When we shoe to “protect” our horses’ feet, is is often because we do not know the answer as to why the feet are unhealthy. Once the cause of the problem is removed, the feet will be able to regain their true strength and durability. It is not just trimming that can create significant changes in the hoof. To achieve optimum hoof condition providing optimum hoof function, horse owners should follow all of the following three conditions along with a barefoot trim. Even the shod horse would benefit from these.

1. Movement: Constant movement (24-hour turnout is ideal if possible) provides blood flow to nourish the hoof horn. Horses in a natural environment move 10-20 miles per day. Therefore, they have a balance between hoof growth and hoof wear. Movement creates circulation, which is vital for healthy hooves and also the rest of the horse.

2. Moisture: The horse's feet should have access to water, whether it is morning dew, mud or snow. It provides moisture for flexibility. In the wild, horses drink out of rivers and streams where their feet are soaked daily. Bedding that is wet with manure and urine is NOT healthy for hooves, as it is acidic and loaded with bacteria.

3. Diet: A healthy equine diet will provide for sufficient regrowth of hoof that is being worn or exfoliated. Given free choice the horse will eat a variety of vegetation and the intake is nearly constant. Feed your horse less food, but more often and try to offer a selection. Try giving your horse the opportunity to sample vegetables such as cabbage, spinach and lettuce. Fruit tree branches can also be beneficial and will alleviate boredom in the stalled horse.

The transition phase
Most horses make the transition to going barefoot with little or no discomfort. However, some may experience some temporary discomfort. This can result from a variety of reasons. Pulling the shoes can result in increased circulation, which, in some cases, can be painful. We can relate to the feeling by imagining the painful relief we feel when we remove a pair of tight-fitting shoes or when nerves recover after a case of frostbite. The horse does have feeling in his feet and renewed hoof expansion can be uncomfortable. Some sole sensitivity may also be expected until the horse becomes accustomed to sole contact with the surfaces it is traveling on.

Horses with problem hooves may take anywhere from two montsh to two years to heal. This dpeends on the severity of the condition and the ability of the owner to help the horse with additional support. Hoof boots can be of tremendous help, especially in horses that must continue to work. Hoof soakings, hand walking and natural remedies such as biotin (from seaweed) for increased hoof growth can also help.

The barefoot revolution
Many horses have been saved from slaughter or early retirement because their owners have changed to a barefoot program. Some came to it as a last resort after trying every shoe and pad available. It is not just about trimming, however, but about environment and lifestyle. A farrier, no matter how skilled and experienced, only sees your horse once every four to six weeks, in some cases even less often. The horse depends upon his owner for the total care of his general and foot health. A natural, healthy hoof is achieved with a natural, healthy environment. With this, even your horse can dare to go bare.