The Barefoot Horse

Over the years, it has become almost usual to see the FEI horses scratch shows and classes for injury. The injuries range anywhere from a bowed tendon to something so preventable as a stone bruise. Unfortunately, I have had many friends have this problem and spend months trying to solve the same hoof issues, and- oddly enough- they all wear shoes. However, some brave owners and trainers have ventured into the world of the barefoot horse and found that their time with the traditional, metal shoe has come to a close. 

Cody, who turned 25 this year, has never worn shoes in his life. Yet, I am proud to say that he has never (knock on wood) had a hoof-related injury. I have had many people ask how he could stay so sound without shoes, even when he was eventing. The secret to keeping him sound is correct trimming and- surprisingly- no shoes. Correct natural trimming has made his hooves bigger and stronger than that of a horse with shoes, even to the point where he can go on gravel without missing a step! 

It starts with knowing the basic knowledge of the hoof. First, the horse should always walk heel to toe, this allows the horse to wear their hooves down naturally and builds a callus around the hoof wall (which will prevent quarter cracks). Secondly, the frog acts as shock absorber and spreads the weight out evenly along the hoof. This leads to the fact that the hoof expands as it hits the ground, shoes do not allow the hoof to respond naturally and can actually lead to more hoof injuries. So, as the hoof expands, the frog hits the ground and absorbs the weight and pressure from the tendons. This allows the horse to move more freely because there is no strain or pressure on the back of the tendons. 

With shoes, the hoof is placed just barely high enough where the sole and frog do not touch the ground. This makes the sole- which does not have a callus at this point- very sensitive and the frog cannot absorb the shock- putting most of the weight on the outside hoof wall and shoe. It also pulls on the back tendon. As you can imagine, this takes away the natural action of the hoof. 

Over time, a natural cared for hoof will become much stronger than a hoof with shoes. As the calluses build up, the wall will begin to grow to the point of doubling in size. This is the reason why horses in the wild stay so sound while spending months in rocky and mountainous terrain. 

A great alternative to shoes (if your horse does not wear their hooves from heel to toe or has sensitive soles) is using a boot. These boots are made of rubber, so they expand with the hoof and provide protection if they are just coming out of shoes. You can also get them custom to your horse's hoof size so it can comfortably fit around the hoof. 

Research on natural hoof care has been backed by many top trainers, such as Shannon Peters. Hopefully, more owners and trainers will take a look into barefoot dressage and see the drastic change in both movement and soundness of the horse. 

        When pressure is not on the hoof

Once pressure is applied, the hoof expands, the frog absorbs the shock.

For more information, check out www.hoofrehab.com