Welcome to the barefoot horsekeeping wonderland!
Whether you’re a seasoned hoof whisperer or a curious neigh-sayer, our FAQ page is your one-stop shop for all things barefoot. Get ready to embark on a journey of hoof-tastic trivia, debunking barefoot myths, and discovering the secrets to keeping your horse’s hooves happy and healthy.
So, grab a hoofpick and a sense of humor, and let’s dive into the barefoot world together!
Nature designed horses with the innate ability to thrive barefoot. However, human intervention, including domestication, confinement to unnatural environments, shoeing, improper trimming practices, and a lack of understanding of equine physiology has led to the development of internal hoof pathologies in many horses.
By following the bellow tips, you can help your horse to enjoy the benefits of barefoot horsekeeping while minimizing the risks.
The short answer is no, not every horse can be barefoot. Some horses have physical conditions that make them unsuitable for going barefoot, such as thin soles, deep cracks, or severe hoof wall damage. However, many horses can be successfully transitioned to barefoot care with the help of an experienced barefoot trimmer.
In instances where the hoof exhibits severe internal deformities and substantial tissue loss, such as a chronic coffin bone fracture, we believe that transitioning to barefoot care may be too challenging. If you have any concerns about your horse’s suitability for barefoot care, we recommend getting an x-ray to assess the internal bone structure and alignment of the hoof.
Most horses in Anna’s practice, regardless of age, have successfully made the transition to barefoot with patience and understanding from the owner, even when living on hard ground in Cyprus. Surprisingly, 90% of the time it takes no more than 2 to 3 months, and often owners expect the transition to be much more difficult than it actually appears to be. You can read about actual client feedback here: Customer Feedback
Hoof boots, sole adhesives or rubber floors are a great thing to help ease the transition. You can learn more about hoof boot brands and models here. There are some modern polymer-based adhesive materials that can be applied to the hoof to restore damaged or thin-soled hooves. You can read more about it here: Hoof Protection Options for Barefoot Horses: A Comprehensive Guide
Thin soles are a common problem in horses that are not used to being barefoot. This is because the soles of barefoot horses are naturally thicker than the soles of shod horses. To help your horse’s soles become thicker, you will need to gradually reduce the amount of protection they receive from shoes or pads. You should also make sure that your horse has access to a variety of surfaces to walk on, both soft and hard.
Beyond appropriate trimming and regular exercise, it’s crucial to maintain a balanced diet for your horse (reduce/eliminate grains, provide more forage, consider mineral balancers) and protect the sole using modern hoof protection methods, such as hoof boots. In certain situations, applying adhesive polymers can further safeguard the sole from wear, allowing it to grow more robust while providing adequate support for the horse’s movement.
Yes, many sport horses can be successfully transitioned to barefoot care. However, it is important to start the transition process slowly and carefully. You will need to work with your horse to build up their strength and stamina, and you will need to make sure that they have the proper footing for their activities. With proper care, many sport horses can achieve even higher level of performance while going barefoot.
For horses competing at a high level, transitioning to barefoot care offers the most significant advantages. Bare hooves allow the hoof mechanism to function naturally, enhancing traction, proprioception, and shock absorption. With shod hooves, the hoof mechanism is disrupted and unable to perform optimally. This disruption hinders the hoof’s ability to absorb shock and expand the joints, tendons, and ligaments, significantly increasing the risk of injury.
Improved hoof health: Barefoot horses tend to have healthier hooves with thicker walls, better shock absorption, and reduced risk of cracks and splits.
Natural movement: Barefoot horses move more naturally, with a more fluid gait. This can improve their overall health and performance.
Reduced hoof pain: Barefoot horses may experience less hoof pain due to the reduced risk of hoof imbalances and injuries.
Barefoot horses: Their hooves are allowed to grow and wear naturally, without the restriction of horseshoes or pads. This allows the hoof to function as nature intended, promoting healthy growth and resilience.
Shod horses: Their hooves are protected by horseshoes, based on a medieval military need and invention. However, horseshoes restrict hoof growth and flexibility, potentially leading to problems. To read more about it click here: A Past Revealing Theory: Horseshoeing and the Connection to War
● Gradually reduce the amount of protection they receive from shoes or pads.
● Provide them with access to a variety of surfaces to walk on, both soft and hard.
● Schedule regular barefoot trims.
● Avoid feeding them grain, sugars, and fresh grass.
● Be patient and consistent.
Thin soles: If your horse has thin soles, they may not be ready to go barefoot. You should work with a barefoot trimmer to gradually thicken their soles.
Deep cracks: If your horse has deep cracks in their hooves, they may not be ready to go barefoot. You should work with a veterinarian or an experienced hoof care provider to address the cracks before transitioning them to barefoot care.
Severe hoof wall damage: If your horse has severe hoof wall damage, they may not be ready to go barefoot. You should work with a veterinarian or an experienced barefoot trimmer to repair the damage before transitioning them to barefoot care.
● Ask your barefoot friendly veterinarian for a referral.
● Search online for barefoot trimmers in your area.
● Contact with local barefoot horse owners for referal.
● Feed them a balanced diet with copper, zinc, and biotin.
● Avoid feeding them grain, sugars, and fresh grass.
● Consider adding a hoof supplement to their diet.
● Zinc: Zinc is a mineral that is also essential for hoof health.
● Copper: Essential for healthy connective tissues and iron metabolism.
● Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids can help to reduce inflammation and promote hoof health.
● Biotin: Biotin is a B vitamin that is essential for hoof growth.
● Provide them with a balanced diet.
● Schedule regular barefoot trims.
● Avoid activities that can damage their hooves, such as jumping on hard surfaces.
● Protect their hooves from extreme temperatures, such as hot asphalt or frozen ground.
Want stronger hooves?
Get the GBH Educational Hoof Observation Guide and subscriber-only access to the GBH AI Learning Assistant.