Barefoot trimming has existed for a long time. When I grew up in Switzerland, we did not keep our horses shod year round. Whenever possible, shoes were removed when horses were not in use or when the hoof capsules started to look ‘deviated’.Our farrier tried to solve the problem by allowing the hoof to go back to its ‘natural’ shape. No one was allowed to ride horses that were left unshod. Our farrier was not a sophisticated farrier but had a lot of common sense.He knew the difference between a shod hoof and an unshod hoof. It seems that more and more horses are wearing metal shoes year-round, and some people have lost perspective on the role of shoes and the function of the unshod hoof.
The Basic Barefoot Trim or Pasture Trim
This trim is done when horses are left barefoot. In general, the hoof is minimally trimmed at the sole. The frog is allowed to have contact to the ground by lowering the heels as needed. Flares are cleaned. In general, barefoot horses are maintained as needed, and the trim is mainly done to remove excessive toe and wall length and any loose tissue. Toes are not rolled. In essence, the hoof is left to define in itself by its environment and then maintained accordingly.
The ‘New’ Barefoot Trims
The mustang research has played a very important part in re-discovering the unshod hoof.I think that it makes a lot of sense to study hooves that were not altered by humans. The first time I heard about mustang hooves was through Dave Duckett in 1992. Dave Duckett and Gene Ovineck tried to apply the mustang hoof research to shoeing with metal shoes.
In more recent years, there have been other variations of the same trim depending on what and where hoof trimmers live. For instance, some advocate rolling the toe, some don’t. I don’t think that people should argue on whether it matters to roll a hoof or not.Not all barefoot horses roll their toes. It really depends on the environment (soil type, moisture content, etc.) Every horse has specific biomechanics, there are different types of mustangs or feral horses, not all of them have the same conformation, hence same locomotion. There has also been a lot of argument on whether the mustang or feral horses are typical horses that we can use as models.I believe that mustangs or any feral horses are typical horses because of their genetic making.
I also believe that the barefoot movement has gone overboard with the emphasis placed on looking at mustangs.
The reality about the hoof lies in evolution, not specifically the mustangs. The blueprint for a horse is essentially the same for any horse – from mustangs to domesticated horses.The first true horse appeared 4 million years ago during the early Pliocene era.This horse was about 13 hands tall, had a stay apparatus, and was walking on the same single digit hooves as we see now.In other words, our modern domesticated horses still have to comply with the general physical constraints placed on the first true horse of the Pliocene era.
I may point out that the horse did not evolve to be ridden by us. It is not natural. Riding has a serious impact on hoof function.
My Trimming Approach
My main guiding principle for trimming lies in maintaining the hoof to its optimal functional health as intended by evolutional design.The hoof should be able to flex according its design.Hoof capsules have specific mechanical properties and these play an integral part in shock absorption of the limbs. Most barefoot methods are more or less fulfilling these criteria.
P3 Underside (drawing by Bethany Layport)
I like to look at my trim as an ‘approach’ rather than a method. No two hooves are exactly the same and no two horses have the same biomechanics. Soil variations and moisture content will affect hooves also. I will adjust my trim depending on these factors. By adjusting, I don’t mean forcing the hoof or the horse gait to some imaginary ideal. Hooves are not symmetric, neither are bones -- I take this into consideration as well. I attempt to use landmarks related to the bones when I trim, as they are often more reliable than landmarks on the hoof or sole. These landmarks are essential elements in my three dimensional trim approach.
