Natural Hoof Care High performance barefootedness

Jen Vasquez ROTH Foundations Course Alternative Horse Care Project

Agenda

•  Natural defined •  The natural hoof •  Dynamics of the natural hoof •  How to maintain the natural hoof •  The natural trim •  Natural trim tools

Natural Defined

Living in accordance with a living thing’s nature. Comes from Latin derivative, natal, meaning belonging to one’s birth – “natural order”.

What is a natural hoof?

•  No physiological or genetic difference between wild horse and domestic horses

•  Weak problematic hooves do not survive in the wild

•  It’s not something bred in or bred out •  Whatever the breed, sex, temperament, state of

soundness or lameness, is a good candidate for natural hoof care

The natural hoof

•  Coronary band •  Horn •  Toe •  Heel •  Wall •  White Line •  Sole •  Frog

Dynamics of the natural hoof

Primary Focus: •  Size •  Proportion •  Balance Secondary focus: •  Texture •  Contour •  Color

Size

•  Toe Length •  Hoof Width •  Hoof Length

Mean (Average) Range

Front Hind Front Hind

Toe Length 3 in. 3 in. 2 ½ - 3 ¾ in 2 ½ - 3 ¾ in

Toe Angle 54 degrees 58 de 48 - 62 de 51 – 65 de

Hoof Width 5 in. 4 ¾ in. 3 ¾ - 6 ¼ in 3 ½ - 5 ¾ in.

Hoof Length 5 1/8 in 4 7/8 in 4 ¾ - 5 3/8 in 4 ¾ - 5 3/8in

Proportion

•  Front and hind shapes •  Thickness of hoof wall •  Toe Angle

Balance

•  Angle of growth •  Active wear (3 points) •  Frog Pressure •  Hind versus front toe angles •  Front versus hind hoof sizes •  Sorefootedness •  Measurement consistency

How to maintain the natural hoof

With a natural trim: A trim based precisely on the hooves of the wild horse, healthy barefoot horses with long, proven history of soundness and lameness-free lives. Goals of the natural trim: 1.  The hoof is shaped according to its unique size,

shape, and proportion 2.  The shaping is done so as to simulate natural

wear.

The natural trim

•  Smooth straight outer wall that angles down from the hairline to the ground

•  Toe angles will average from 50-60 degrees •  Toe length will measure from 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches long

from the airline to the ground •  Mustang roll where the hoof well meets the ground the

outer wall will turn in a distinct smooth radius •  The hairline will descend gradually from the midline of

the toe wall to each quarter, at which point it will tend to descend sharply in a distinct curve to the heels and heal bulbs

The natural trim

The natural trim continued

•  Back of the frog is trimmed or worn level with the ground and the surrounding heel buttresses. It has direct but passive, contact with the ground.

•  The heal-buttresses are trimmed and worn with a mustang roll as well. Wild horses actually walk on the back of their heels.

•  The sole of is concaved from the white line to the frog

The natural trim continued

•  The outer wall supports the whole hoof on the ground in active contact, the sole and frog in contrast endure passive or indirect contact like the arch of your foot

•  The outer wall has areas of active and passive support. These spots are most commonly in a triangle but the location and size very horse to horse.

The natural trim tools Hoof meter reader

Rasp

Hoof pick

Hoof knife

Hoof nippers Hoof sander

Sustainable natural hoof considers

•  Nutrition •  Living conditions (stall/paddock/pasture) •  Veterinary care •  Saddling practices •  Riding methods

Barefoot, boots, or shoes

•  As nature intended •  Consider your specific situation •  Include whole horse (body, mind, spirit) when

choosing your options •  Where job or terrain warrants protection

consider boots versus shoes •  Give your horse a voice!

Case Study #1

Case Study #2

Questions?

References

Barefoot Trimmers Booting Options

Jamie Jackson Easy Care

Pete Ramey Soft Ride

KC LaPierr Renegade

Cheryl Henderson Epona

Strausser/Olivo

Daisy Bicking

Kendra Skorstad

Ida Hammer