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Are Horse Shoes Healthy?
The part of your horse’s feet you see when it’s
standing in the corral or stall is just an outer covering
that hides a complex structure that is vital to the animal’s
health and well being, and its ability to perform. You want
a horse you can ride and enjoy, so the condition of its feet
is paramount. Traditionally, it’s been commonly believed
that domesticated horses must be shod to protect their feet
from the strain of carrying extra weight, often an unbalanced
load, particularly on hard surfaces. However, there’s
a contemporary school of thought that strongly suggests that
shoeing your horse can do more harm than good, especially
in light of what is known about the way a horse’s feet
actually function.
Barefoot, Heel First Is Vital To Good
Hoof Health
A horse’s hoof, that is to say the hoof capsule as a
whole, is intended by nature to be somewhat flexible. In their
natural, healthy condition, the hooves function to aid circulation.
The interior of the hoof contains a mass of flexible material
near the heel that acts as a shock absorber to the foot. When
your horse’s weight is placed on one of its feet, the
flexible shock absorber is flattened somewhat and the hoof
wall expands slightly. When weight is removed, the hoof contracts.
This alternating expansion and contraction acts to facilitate
circulation through the feet and contributes to healthy hoof
development and maintenance. That’s just one of the
reasons plenty of exercise with a natural, heel-first stride,
is so important for your horse. A horseshoe can severely limit
flexibility, and compromise the hoof’s natural function.
Proper, Regular Trimming Is the Key
to Going Shoeless
Of course, if your horse is shod now, going permanently barefoot
will require an adjustment period to toughen feet that have
become unnaturally tender. Hoof walls must be trimmed regularly
(about every five weeks). Correctly trimmed hoof walls will
make the transition to barefoot as comfortable as possible,
and when your horse’s hooves have toughened up and returned
to their natural soundness, you’ll see an amazing difference
in well being, performance, and even attitude.
You may be surprised to learn that in 2006 the
top two endurance horses in the country go barefoot.
Horses thrive in a natural, healthy lifestyle.
Contact us for more information.
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