Questions You Should Ask

Most sites have their list of Frequently Asked Questions.  I have entitled this page Questions you Should Ask because these are the questions I would like to answer even if no one has thought to ask them.

What things should I consider before removing the shoes from my horse?

Which is more important, the discipline or the welfare of the horse?

Are you willing to gain the knowledge to properly care for your horses feet?

Are you able to take an active role in properly conditioning your horses feet for your chosen discipline?

Do you have the patience to allow the passage of time and conditioning to improve your horses feet?

How long does it take to transition a shod horse to barefoot?

It will depend on the condition of the horses feet when the shoes are removed.  A lame horse will take longer than a sound horse.  It will also depend on how much time the owner is able to spend conditioning the feet.  If things go well, it is reasonable to think in terms of six months.  If there are not major issues with the feet, it may alos be possible to use hoof boots to continue riding while the conditioning is taken place.  By rating feet on the spectrum of usability and taking photos during the transition process, it is possible to see what progress is being made at any stage.

How often does a barefoot horse need to be trimmed?

The horses foot needs to be trimmed when it is out of balance.  An out of balance condition can occur due to either all around growth or uneven growth.  On the average, I find that every four weeks works well.  During the colder months (November through March), every five weeks is often enough.  When uneven growth occurs, the horse may need to be trimmed more often.

Uneven growth occurs on horses that are either lame or have gait abnormalities. In either case, the horse's foot does not contact the ground evenly.  The associated uneven pressure will cause uneven growth and / or wear.  As the foot grows more out of balance this can make the lameness worse.  The way out of this cycle is to trim often enough to keep the foot in balance and allow the foot to heal.

Why do you charge more than a farrier charges to trim?

In most cases, farriers will just trim the horses feet.  My approach is different, I do more than trim.  For regular appointments in addition to trimming, I evaluate the feet, take pictures, and provide a written evaluation.  To provide this level of service I charge more.

How does the trim you use differ from other barefoot trims?

There are a couple of major differences.  First, the trim is based upon a model of how the horse's foot functions.  The trim puts the exterior of the foot (hoof and frog) into a shape that allows the foot to function properly.

Second, is the way the trim balances the foot.  The foot is balanced by using external features that have a close relation to internal structures.  This means the trim balances to the internal structures of the foot.