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The Closer to Nature, the Better
Perhaps the best model to consider in the pursuit of good
health and well being for your horse is the condition of horses
in their natural state. Those who have observed wild horses
in their native habitat all seem to remark about the same
things: vibrant good health throughout the herd, no lameness,
mares dropping foals seemingly effortlessly, horses that seem
more sure footed than the deer and antelope that share their
habitat, in short, the picture of excellent condition and
soundness.
Domestic Lifestyles Can Cause Problems
Compare that to the lifestyle and living conditions of most
domestic horses, and it begins to become apparent why so many
of them have health problems, particularly those that are
hoof related.
First and foremost, their feet are shod in rigid
steel that can make it uncomfortable, even very painful to
walk, let alone carry a rider. As the horse tries to compensate
for the unnatural hoof condition, other parts of the skeletal
structure are often negatively affected.
They’re often fed sweet, rich foods that
can cause digestion problems and create undesirable nutritional
consequences.
A high percentage of domestic horses get little
if any exercise, and even when they do exercise, they typically
move on soft, wet surfaces that create the potential for even
more hoof-care issues. The net result is poor condition and
marginal health, and their inability to carry riders.
A New Approach: Back to Basics
In recent years, many horse owners have become convinced that
a more natural lifestyle, that is, one that’s closer
to that of wild horses, is the best approach. The first step
is to remove horseshoes and keep them off. That requires regular
trimming of the hooves by specially trained practitioners,
who work to create the same kind of hoof capsule that the
abrasive conditions found in the wild create. When hoof improvement
is combined with better nutrition and regular exercise, the
results are often phenomenal.
Horses who have chronic hoof and other health
problems, sometimes to the point that their owners have given
up, have been restored to such good condition that they can
be ridden and enjoyed again, after years of unsoundness.
Do you desire to help your horse enjoy excellent
health and a vibrant life? Contact us
to learn more about natural hoof care and a horse-healthy
lifestyle.
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