Natural Hoof Care is caring for your horse's hooves without the use of nailed on metal shoes, or any device or trimming style that robs the hoof of natural form and function. Scientific studies have revealed that weight bearing primarily on the outer hoof wall, and lack of use of the whole foot cause detrimental changes to inner hoof structure.
The hoof length is natural when the distance from hairline to toe is short. The bevelled hoof wall is a feature found in wild horses and is maintained in the natural trim. The hoof is free from cracks, splits, ripples and flares. The heel is low and the weight bearing surface is as large as possible. The frog is assisting with cushioning and proprioception. The difference between shod and natural hooves has been observed over 100 years ago as shown by the following quote:
"Horses which have never been shod, have their frogs much larger, their heels further apart, and the ground surface of their feet of greater area, than those which habitually stand on iron. The cleft of the frog in a healthy foot is merely a slight depression in the centre of the frog, and does not communicate with the sensitive structures immediately above the frog. If the wall be strong and the sole be concave, we may rest assured that the horn which covers the sole is of sufficient substance, provided, of course, that it has not been pared away by the shoeing-smith." --from Points of the Horse by Captain M.H. Hayes,F.R.C.V.S. 1897
As we drift away from the natural model we find heels lengthening and toes running forward, and the distance from hairline to toe increasing. This is because the hoof grows down and forward. A hoof, not being able to wear itself between resetting of shoes is subject to abnormal growth and eventually inner structures become damaged and atrophied. Pete Ramey--natural hoof care expert and lecturer on natural trimming-- and Dr. Robert Bowker--PhD, DVM, of Michigan State University--have been outlining the changes they have found with peripheral loading of the equine foot. These include coffin bone density loss, lateral cartilage weakness and underdevelopment, digital cushion weakness, and overall atrophy and prolapse of inner structure in relation to the hairline.
Shoes, or peripheral loading from a too long trim or lack of trimming, put the weight bearing surface not only further in front of where it should be, but also on outer hoof wall only. Here is clearly seen how the hoof has drifted forward as it was unable to wear normally. The frog is unused, atrophied, weak, and as a result infected. Getting the horse comfortable on structures that have not been used sometimes for a decade or more is the unique challenge of natural hoof care.
the beginning of the journey
Removing shoes and trimming excess hoof wall is only setting up the hoof for proper and more normal stimulation that leads to a better hoof over time. The trim is less important than keeping the horse moving, comfortable with boots or appropriate footing, and getting good stimulation without outer hoof wall weight bearing. In the wild, development of the hoof takes four years. In our domestic horses who have not had proper weight bearing and stimulation of the hoof the process takes just as long. Luckily, good hoof building can occur later in the horse's life as well. While we are waiting for inner structures to develop, we enjoy our horses with boots and pads when needed on rocky terrain. We celebrate the journey along with our horse towards a natural strong hoof. This picture shows the very first day of natural hoof care, with hairline relaxing, heels shorter, toe as short as is possible at this stage. It only gets better from here, and each step the horse takes contributes to building a better hoof. Not only is natural hoof care better for the hoof and the whole horse, but it is affordable. Trimming can be 400 to 500 dollars per year, compared with farriers fees of 120 dollars and up for four shoes. Some barns are reporting shoes costing 200 dollars and up. This would be 960 to 1600 dollars per year, or up to four times the cost. Boots, while expensive, may need to be bought only once every few years, and may even last five years. There may be other costs such as casting, and pads which may be needed during transition. But overall, once a horse is transitioned, the costs are much more reasonable. I would hate to see people give up their horses because of farrier costs. While the natural hoof care method requires work and dedication from the horse owner, it is rewarding and satisfying to see positive change in the hoof form and function. Some owners are even learning to trim on their own. This is an ideal situation because horses usually get trimmed more frequently, which mimics the constant wear they get in the wild and results in even nicer hooves.
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