06/09/08

Welcome to the Barefoot and Sound Hoof Care Website

I am a AANHCP member located in southern Wisconsin.  I am currently accepting clients in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.  For more information on the AANHCP (Association for the Advancement of Natural Horse Care Practices), click here.

I have an special interest in helping clients to be able to compete their horses barefoot.  I compete my horses in endurance and competitive riding and have a keen interest in helping others to do the same.

FAQ's

How is this Trim Different than what my Farrier was doing?

--Farriers will typically leave your horses heels long.  This encourages a toe-first landing, something we want to avoid.

-- Farriers will often trim the hoof flat, as if preparing the hoof for a shoe.  A flat hoof will encourage flaring of the hoof wall.  Something we don't want.  Flares are like someone jabbing a toothpick under your fingernail. OUCH!

-- Farriers will often trim away sole to level things up.  We want to encourage sole depth.  Sole thickness is what will allow your horse to trot over gravel.

Why do you charge more than my farrier?

-- The trim that I do is based on the years of research that Jaime Jackson did on wild mustangs.  The AANHCP hoof trimmer has completed at least 1 year of intensive training to become certified.  We have received training in not only hoof care, but also, natural horsemanship, pasture management, dietary concerns, etc..  Can your farrier say the same?

Why do you recommend that my horse be trimmed on a 4 week cycle?  There won't be that much to trim!

--  That's exactly right.  We want to trim the hoof before things get out of hand.  If we wait to trim until the hoof is flared and overgrown; all we have done is stopped that destructive cycle. We will not make any progress towards getting that hoof stronger. We want to try to mimic the wear that your horse's hooves would receive if he had the opportunity to live a natural lifestyle, i.e. travelling 15 miles per day in search of food and water. 

How long will it take my horse to transition after removing his shoes?

-- The million dollar question! :)  The answer is - it depends!  It depends on many things, most importantly - these 3 things:  Movement, movement, movement.  I would never encourage anyone to force a horse to move if he is painful on his feet, but, if you can get the horse to an area where he can move, i.e. a soft, sandy arena, grassy pasture, then move him and get him moving.  Movement encourages blood flow which encourages hoof growth.  Also, see my article on Transitioning Your Horse.

Do you recommend the use of Bute and other pain relievers?

We need to encourage these horses to move.  If the only way we can get these guys moving is to give them a little something, then I'm okay with that.  I do not want to use the meds on a long term basis. 

My horses feet will never be able to stand up to the work load.  He needs shoes, doesn't he?

Your horse's feet will grow in response to the amount of work/abrasion they receive.  You will not ride the foot off your horse.  In 2006, I rode my gelding, Bert, 625 miles in Limited Distance competition, all barefoot.  That mileage is competition miles, he probably went at least a thousand more miles in training.  If you are planning to do more miles than that, contact me and we will discuss your options.