In the evolving world of equine care, few movements have reshaped understanding as profoundly as barefoot horse care. What began as a challenge to traditional shoeing has matured into a multidisciplinary field drawing from veterinary science, biomechanics, neurophysiology, rehabilitation, and applied horsemanship.
Today, barefoot care is no longer a single philosophy or method. It is an expanding body of inquiry focused on one central question:
How can we support the hoof as a living, adaptive organ—capable of strength, flexibility, circulation, and long-term soundness?
This article introduces pioneers, researchers, clinicians, and applied practitioners who have significantly influenced how barefoot hoof care is understood and practiced today. The list is not exhaustive and reflects our current state of knowledge. Scientific understanding continues to evolve, and healthy discourse remains essential.
Foundational Researchers & Veterinary Pioneers
Dr. Robert Bowker (DVM)
Advancing Equine Podiatry Through Structure and Function
Dr. Robert Bowker’s research has fundamentally reshaped how the equine hoof is understood. His work on the digital cushion, frog, lateral cartilages, and caudal hoof structures demonstrated that the hoof is not merely a protective capsule but a dynamic, load-responsive organ.
Bowker’s findings helped establish that:
- Internal hoof tissues adapt to mechanical stimulation
- Barefoot movement supports circulation and tissue development
- Pathology often reflects chronic under-stimulation or distortion, not simple wear
His research remains a cornerstone for modern barefoot science and informs both clinical and applied hoof care worldwide.
Professor Christopher C. Pollitt
A Pioneer in Equine Laminitis Research
Professor Pollitt is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking work on laminitis, particularly the relationship between vascular disruption, metabolic stress, and lamellar failure.
Through decades of research, he:
- Clarified the pathophysiology of laminitis
- Distinguished structural failure from surface symptoms
- Elevated the scientific understanding of hoof-internal damage
Pollitt’s work reminds the barefoot community that soundness must always be evaluated from inside the hoof outward, and that management decisions must be informed by physiology, not ideology.
Holistic and Paradigm-Shifting Thinkers
Dr. Hiltrud Strasser (DVM)
A Holistic Catalyst
Dr. Strasser introduced a holistic approach emphasizing natural trimming, circulation, and rehabilitation. Her work challenged entrenched norms and sparked widespread debate—yet also inspired thousands to reconsider conventional hoof care.
Dr. Strasser was among the first modern voices to systematically question entrenched assumptions about hoof care and to reframe the hoof as a dynamic, adaptive structure rather than a static object to be mechanically controlled.
Her key contributions include:
- Questioning routine shoeing as the default standard of care
- Emphasizing the central role of circulation and movement in hoof health
- Highlighting the hoof’s biological capacity for adaptation and structural change
Strasser’s influence helped open the door for broader discussion and innovation in barefoot practice.
Dr. Tomas Teskey (DVM)
A Visionary in Holistic Equine Medicine
Dr. Teskey has long advocated for the barefoot performance horse. His 2005 paper “The Unfettered Foot – A Paradigm Change for Equine Podiatry” helped articulate the concept that hoof freedom and performance are not mutually exclusive.
His work bridges:
- Holistic medicine
- Performance demands
- Veterinary reasoning
Teskey’s contributions helped legitimize barefoot approaches within broader veterinary discourse.
Applied Natural Hoof Care & Education
Jaime Jackson
Lessons from the Wild
As founder of the American Association of Natural Hoof Care Practitioners (AANHCP), Jaime Jackson brought attention to wild horse movement, wear patterns, and environmental adaptation.
His work emphasized:
- Hoof form as a result of environment and mileage
- Natural wear over artificial balance
- Functional soundness rather than cosmetic trimming
Jackson’s influence is foundational in modern natural hoof care education.
Pete Ramey
Restoring Function Through Practical Trimming
Pete Ramey has played a major role in translating barefoot principles into practical, owner-accessible trimming and rehabilitation strategies.
Through books, clinics, and case studies, he has emphasized:
- Correcting distorted hooves
- Understanding pathology progression
- Long-term management over quick fixes
His work continues to guide many owners transitioning horses from shoes to barefoot.
KC LaPierre
Applied Equine Podiatry
KC LaPierre’s work focuses on hoof mechanics, load distribution, and performance management, particularly in sport horses.
His Applied Equine Podiatry framework highlights:
- Mechanical efficiency
- Individual conformation
- Performance-specific hoof strategies
LaPierre’s contributions broadened barefoot discussions into high-performance contexts.
David Landreville
Building Hooves, Not Just Maintaining Them
David Landreville represents a modern, anatomy-aligned evolution in barefoot hoof care. His philosophy emphasizes hoof development rather than maintenance, focusing on how hooves are built over time through appropriate stimulation.
Key principles in his work include:
- Simulating the miles of wear hooves require
- Aligning external structures with internal anatomy
- Distinguishing between engaged vs. disengaged soft tissue
- Avoiding forced angles, carving, or compacted dead material that creates false soundness
- Emphasizing Palmar Contours as a critical and often missing element in modern hoof care
Landreville’s educational platforms—such as his Hoof Builders Video Library and practitioner community—focus on applied assessment, conformation-specific trimming, and long-term functional outcomes.
Guillaume Parisot – Practitioner Education in Europe
Through Podologie Équine Libre, Guillaume Parisot contributed to the development of barefoot hoof care culture across Europe. His work emphasized practitioner skill, observation, and adaptive learning, supporting a generation of trimmers moving beyond rigid models toward horse-responsive care.
Daniel Anz – Whole-Horse Balance and Hoof Function
Daniel Anz, founder of F-Balance, introduced a system-level perspective linking posture, movement, and hoof function. His work highlighted that hoof health cannot be separated from balance and neuromuscular coordination, reinforcing the importance of integrated assessment.
Modern Hoof Builders & Applied Functional Development
A New Direction in Barefoot Care
As barefoot hoof care matures, a new emphasis is emerging: functional development over static balance.
Practitioners in this space—including David Landreville and others—focus on:
- Tissue adaptation
- Load-responsive development
- Long-term durability rather than short-term soundness
- Reading what the hoof is doing, not what it looks like
This approach integrates:
- Bowker’s tissue research
- Pollitt’s internal pathology insights
- Real-world performance and rehabilitation demands
It reflects a broader shift from trimming as an act of correction to hoof care as a developmental process.
Trimmers, Organizations & Research Institutions
Barefoot trimmers remain on the front lines of this movement, guiding horses and owners through transition, rehabilitation, and maintenance.
Organizations and institutions—including the American Hoof Association (AHA), Progressive Hoof Care Practitioners (PHCP), Equine Podiatry Association (EPA), and academic research centers worldwide—continue to shape the future of hoof science through education and research.
A Living Field of Inquiry
Barefoot horse care is not a finished doctrine. It is a living field, informed by research, challenged by practice, and refined through observation.
At GoBarefootHorse, we honor pioneers and innovators while remaining committed to:
- Mechanism-based understanding
- Critical thinking
- Ongoing learning
The names presented here reflect contributions—not conclusions.
Read More:
Science behind of Barefoot Horse Care
Unleashing the Benefits: The Advantages of Opting for Bare Hooves in Horses
Boosting Blood Circulation in Horse Hooves: The Barefoot Advantage
Unveiling the Science of Shock Absorption: Exploring its Impact on Hooves
