Transitioning to a Barefoot Lifestyle

So, you have decided that your horse would be better off barefoot - Good for You! (Better for your horse!)  Let's talk about few of the things you can do to make sure the transition is successful and stress-free.

1.  Find an experienced hoof care practitioner that has clients that are actively riding their own horses.  Don't be afraid to ask for phone numbers, email addresses, photos, etc...  A good hoof care professional will be proud to tell you about their clients and their horses.  Personally, I would steer clear of anyone who says that they have multiple horses that are transitioning and are not currently sound.  I ride my horses every day and I am going to assume that you would like to do the same.

2.  Read everything you can lay your hands on regarding the barefoot lifestyle.  Check out my recommended reading list page for more on this topic.  You can never be too informed.  How can you make an informed choice regarding a trimming practice if you aren't aware of what is out there?

3.  Be aware of any trimmer/farrier without a formal education in barefoot trimming.  A 'pasture trim' is not the same as a trim done by a AANHCP certified practioner.  'Nuff said'.

4.  "First - do no harm."  This is a tenet of the AANHCP.  Any hoof trimming method that draws blood, invades live sole, etc... is a method of performing surgery.  Is this person qualified to do such?  Seems a far-out question, but I have seen far too many horses with bloody feet. 

5.  The AANHCP model is based on the research that Jaime Jackson conducted on wild mustang herds.  This is the model that the AANHCP strives to achieve for every horse.  To that end, we must try to give our domestic horses the opportunity to live a lifestyle that closely mimics that of their wild relatives. 

    a.  Mustangs rarely see acres of lush pasture.  They travel 15 miles per day on average for food and water.  How many domestic horses ever see this much exercise per day?  I believe this is the #1 problem facing domestic horses.  We must either choose to ride/drive/exercise our horses to achieve the 15 miles/day or create an environment which will allow the horse to move more naturally, i.e. a Paddock Paradise. 

    b.  The 15 miles/day does more than just condition the body of the mustang; it also conditions his feet.  The terrain that the mustang lives on is very harsh; filled with large rocks, gravel and brush.  His feet are trimmed naturally.  The goal of the AANHCP practioner is to mimic this wear on a domestic hoof.  We want that hoof to send a message to the horse's brain that the hoof must be prepared for any conditions he might encounter.

    c.  Mustangs never encounter stashes of sweet feed. :)  Seems obvious, doesn't it?  Horses do not need the sugary mixes that the feed companies have led us to believe that our horses can't live without.  The best advise I can give you is to stop feeding all prepared feed mixes today - your horse's feet will thank you!  I can hear you already - "But, my horse works very hard!"  I compete 3 horses in Endurance/Competitive Riding.  They are all turned out on pasture and only receive a handful of grain that entices them to eat a vitamin/mineral supplement. Special Note - Senior Horses are a different case.  Please follow this link for advice/recommendations on feeding the Senior Horse.

6.  The Transitioning Process - initially after your horse's shoes have been removed; you can expect that your horse is going to be a bit tender walking around.  I like to tell clients that it is exactly how you would feel if I asked you to remove your shoes and run up and down a gravel path for hours on end.  You could probably gingerly walk down the path a couple of times but if I asked you to do it over and over.  You would be sore!  Same thing for your horse!  Have a bit of empathy!  Your horse will need time to adjust to his new feet.  In most cases, the horses are still rideable; but, be aware that you might have to make allowances for where you ride. 

    a.  Exercise stimulates blood flow which stimulates growth.  Moving your horse over a nice, easy terrain will do wonders to help those feet to transition.  For example, ride in a nice, soft, green pasture.  Don't ride down a gravel road.

    b.  Keep to a regular schedule with your hoof trimmer.  Follow his/her advice.  If she recommends that your horse be seen in 3-4 weeks - LISTEN!  Don't allow your horse's feet to become overgrown after initial removal of shoes.  Then you will be facing a new set of issues.

    c.  Try to keep a record of any changes that are/have been occurring in your horse's life.  Feed/exercise/pasture mate addition/removal/vaccinations, etc....   These can all lead to changes in your horse's feet.  I give all  new clients a small calendar to keep at the barn to record any events of this nature.