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For me the biggest question was if my horse has been happily sound for 19 years how can going barefoot possibly be of advantage, so after extensive research I found my answers. Please see the links below for further detailed information.
So why did we put those chunks of iron on our horses feet?
Horseshoes were originally used to protect the feet of horses in heavy work be it on the battleground or carrying heavy loads along the old tracks, The horse we have today arose in about 7000 BC, and domesticated about 4000 BC. The horses were bred and ridden without shoes until medieval times, when people started confining horses to stalls. The hooves started getting bad from an unnatural environment, so horseshoes were invented for hoof protection. The ancient nomads rode unshod horses for the most part because the half-
Most horse owners understand that metal horse shoes are damaging to the hooves and the rest of the horse -
In the past, it was traditionally thought that horses could not manage the work we asked of them without horse shoes because their hooves would wear excessively. Hence the theory that "if a horse is in work, it needs to be shod". This is probably true in many cases if you keep your horse traditionally and give it a hoof trim meant for the application of a shoe.
If, however, you give your horse a barefoot trim by a natural hoofcare professional, and provide correct living conditions that meet the basic biological needs of the horse, you can successfully return your horse to full health, and go barefoot over any terrain that you condition your horse for. Endurance riders, dressage, showjumping, showing, trekking, hunting and natural horsemanship have all been carried out successfully with barefoot horses.
What Is The Barefoot Method?
The Barefoot Method is an holistic approach to equine management, where the horse is kept in natural living conditions and its hooves trimmed with a barefoot trim to obtain optional and natural hoof form. it's important to realise that it's not simply a matter of removing the shoes in order to get this kind of success. The correct barefoot method must be used. The barefoot method involves a physiologically correct barefoot hoof trim combined with natural living conditions for your horse.
Healing Hoof Problems using the Barefoot Method
A correct barefoot trim and natural living conditions also prevents and heals such problems as founder, laminitis, navicular, thrush, ossifications such as sidebone and ringbone, hoof cracks, brittle hooves and other common ailments common when horses have been shod or trimmed traditionally. An ideal strategy is to use the barefoot method from a young age, preferably young foals, so that these traditional problems do not occur.
Effects of Shoeing
Shoes do not allow your horse's hooves to fully expand when weightbearing. This impaired expansion of the hoof reduces circulation and shock absorption, and promotes incorrect hoof form, causing many hoof and general health problems.
Unshod vs Barefoot -
Simply removing the shoes or applying a conventional pasture trim is often not enough to allow horses to be restored to optimal health and ridden without shoes successfully and to their full potential. This is because conventional ideas about hoof form are not based on the natural hoof form of a wild horse.
Natural hoof form is essential for optimal equine health and performance. Hoof problems, such as cracks, brittleness, seedy toe, thrush and navicular are the result of incorrect hoof form. Horses that don't have natural hoof form will not be able to perform to their full potential and often have problems such as poor health and condition, poor confirmation, muscle tightness and back and joint pain.
Transition To Barefoot
All horses can be ridden as usual without shoes once the hoof is returned to it's natural form. Depending on the condition of the hooves, some horses will need special management during transition to barefoot. This includes a programme of regular correct barefoot trimming, use of hoof boots while riding to prevent incorrect wear, and possibly some form of natural therapy. Once the hooves have returned to their natural form, (which can take weeks to years), the horse can be ridden over any terrain it is conditioned for with superior balance, traction and performance.
Where Do I Start?
There's something in this barefoot method, something worth exploring further to guarantee your horses health, performance and longevity. It's recommended that the first place to start is by following some of the links at the bottom of this article where more information can be found on barefoot horses. It is also advisable to speak to your farrier especially if you plan to undertake extensive roadwork.
AT ALL TIMES SEEK THE ADVICE OF A REGISTERED VET IF YOU HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT YOUR ANIMAL'S HEALTH.
Other Recourses
The Institute of Barefoot Equine Management
4-
Natural Hoofcare (Jaime Jackson)
Hope for Soundness
The Naked Hoof
Tribe Equus
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Hoof & Health (previously Seaweed & Rosehip)
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Nav X
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Arnica1M/Ruta200c/Rhus tox 1M Liquid
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Arnica Tincture
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Arnica 200c Liquid
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and supplements that, in our opinion, form a crucial part of your horses transition to going barefoot.