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Most horse lovers are curious
about natural hoof care and whether it will benefit their
horse. Here you'll find answers to the questions we hear most
often about natural hoof care for horses.
Q.
My farrier says my new horse needs shoes because his soles
are bruised from being barefoot. Would shoes eliminate that
problem?
A. No, shoes would have no bearing on this problem, if there
actually is a problem, except possibly to worsen the condition.
Discoloration of the sole can be caused by one of several
things, not one of which is bruising from going barefoot.
In white soles, discoloration may simply be pigmentation.
If there is actual bruising, by the time we can see it in
the hoof, it's typically caused by a past event, and more
likely the "bruising" would be caused by a stress factor influenced
by trauma on the inside of the hoof capsule, not the outside.
Neglect, poor diet, improper trimming techniques, and horse
shoes are some of the factors that will cause trauma to the
interior of the hoof capsule.
Q: Is it true that
natural hoof care works for some horses and not for others?
A: The truth is that any horse benefits from sound natural
hoof care, no matter what breed, what job they perform, or
what physical condition they are in. The health risks related
to horseshoes, or unnatural hoof care will never be more beneficial
to any horse than sound natural hooves.
Q:
Is it true that young horses that are not being ridden need
less frequent trims?
A: No. Correct trimming can often prevent hoof problems, such
as clubbed feet, from getting started.
Q: How long does
it take to transition a horse's hooves from shoes to barefoot?
A: The amount of time varies for each individual horse. Movement
heals. For your particular horse, it may be useful to think
of the time frame in terms of the number of miles it would
take to toughen your horse's feet to make being barefoot comfortable.
A consultation can be very helpful to establish that number.
Q: Are diet and
environment important to healing my horse?
A: Yes. Natural trims of a horse's hooves, a natural diet,
and a natural environment will transition a horse faster than
natural trims alone.
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Q: Isn't it true
that domestic horses need shoes because they carry extra weight?
A: Pregnant wild horses carry 200 to 400 pounds of extra weight,
with no problems, on their sound, unshod hooves.
Q: How is it possible
that domestic horses that must carry an unbalanced load can
do their job without the support of shoes?
A: Heaping an unbalanced load (most riders) onto horses already
compensating for the issues caused by shoes would cause those
horses more discomfort than horses with sound, healthy, comfortable
hooves. Logically, the sound horses would have an easier time
carrying an unbalanced load that the shod horses.
Q: What is the most
common, easily preventable and treatable problem that causes
lameness in domestic horses?
A: Thrush. Most people think it's just a condition that smells
bad. Actually, it is painful and can distort the way a horse
moves causing problems all the way up to the horse's spine.
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Q: What is the
second most common problem that causes lameness and pain?
A: Flared hoof walls. It causes lameness due to the separation
between the hoof wall and the coffin bone and the sole of
the hoof.
Q: How does diet
affect a horse's hoof?
A: Horses do not digest sugars well, either in sweet feeds
or in rich grasses. Sugars upset the bacteria in the hind
gut, which releases toxins into the horse's bloodstream. Toxins
are circulated through the hoof capsule which can lead to
inflammation of the laminae and send the horse on the path
to laminitis and possibly founder.
Q: We often hear
that the hoof frog acts as a pump to move the blood supply
back up to the horse's heart as the animal moves around. Is
that true?
A: That is a myth. Horses often lie down to rest. If the frog
is necessary to move the blood to the horse's heart, would
the animal die when lying down? The hoof capsule expands and
contracts, allowing blood to flow in and then sending it back
out. That's one of the reasons shoes on hooves cause problems
for the horse. Shoes act as a steel girder that inhibits that
natural expansion and contraction.
Q: What are your
hours?
A: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, from 8 a.m. to
8 p.m., and other times by appointment.
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Contact
us to get more information about natural hoof care and
whether it's right for you and your horse.
Informative
Articles | Natural Hoof
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