The Barefoot Trim!
I have always been interested in the idea of my horses living barefoot.
When I was new to horses, something made me gravitate towards the
barefoot way of thinking. It just didn't make sense to me that horses
would need shoes. They existed for a long time before people started
putting shoes on their feet, so why would we think they required them?
I began to research the barefoot concept, the way the horse hoof
functions, and how to care for the horse's feet. I was delighted to find
the following books and clinics.
When I was new to horses, something made me gravitate towards the
barefoot way of thinking. It just didn't make sense to me that horses
would need shoes. They existed for a long time before people started
putting shoes on their feet, so why would we think they required them?
I began to research the barefoot concept, the way the horse hoof
functions, and how to care for the horse's feet. I was delighted to find
the following books and clinics.
Natural Barefoot Hooftrimming Clinic
Taught by Leslie Wells in Ridgefield, WA, Sat, June 12, 2006
Review by Bonnie Swenson
One beautiful Saturday in June, we attended a barefoot trimming clinic held by Leslie Wells in Ridgefield, WA. Club
members in attendance were: Lisa, Claudia, Bonny, Patti, Bonnie, Peder, and Pat. We spent the morning learning the
anatomy of the natural hoof, and how the different aspects of the horse’s care directly effect the condition of the hoof.
We also discussed methods and theories of trimming that can have a negative effect on the hoof.
One major influence on the health of the horse and hoof is feeding. Research is showing that many locally-available
types of hay are too high in carbohydrates for horses. Alfalfa is so high in protein it is often too hot for our horses that
are idle most of the time. We discussed insulin-resistant horses and laminitis. Controlling what our horses eat and
have access to, combined with providing a healthy, rugged work-out schedule can be the best treatment for horses
with hoof problems. Some tips Leslie provided: Orchard grass can be high in sugar, while local grass cut in the
morning can have some of the lowest sugar content. Some low-carb feeds are available such as beet pulp, soy hulls
(as an alternative to COB), grass pellets (as an alternative to alfalfa pellets), and SBH&F Low Carb Complete Pelleted
feed (as an alternative to senior feeds).
The other major influence on the hoof is the exercise and movement of the horse. Horses confined to domestic life
rarely get the exercise and miles of travel that wild horses do. The wild horse travels constantly in search of food. This
travel wares the horse’s hooves naturally and creates a short, healthy hoof. We discussed the barefoot trim and how it
attempts to mimic the horse’s natural hoof care.
After lunch, we watched Leslie trim a cadaver hoof. We discussed toe length, separation of the hoof wall, strength and
weakness of the soul, measuring the frog to determine the position of the coffin bone, and had an opportunity to ask
questions and see the hoof trimming up close.
We then picked out our own cadaver hooves and started trimming. Most of us trimmed two hooves each. Though
many of us felt uneasy about the idea of handling the cadaver hooves at first, we got over it and had a great time
learning to do the barefoot trim.
We also watched Leslie trim one of her horses that had been given the Barefoot trim for approximately 4 years.
We want to thank Leslie for hosting a fabulous clinic at her lovely home. For more info on the barefoot trim, here are
two wonderful books for your enjoyment: “Horse Owners Guide to Natural Hoof Care” by Jaime Jackson, “Making
Natural Hoof Care Work for You” by Pete Ramey. You can purchase these books by clicking on the link below to
amazon.
Taught by Leslie Wells in Ridgefield, WA, Sat, June 12, 2006
Review by Bonnie Swenson
One beautiful Saturday in June, we attended a barefoot trimming clinic held by Leslie Wells in Ridgefield, WA. Club
members in attendance were: Lisa, Claudia, Bonny, Patti, Bonnie, Peder, and Pat. We spent the morning learning the
anatomy of the natural hoof, and how the different aspects of the horse’s care directly effect the condition of the hoof.
We also discussed methods and theories of trimming that can have a negative effect on the hoof.
One major influence on the health of the horse and hoof is feeding. Research is showing that many locally-available
types of hay are too high in carbohydrates for horses. Alfalfa is so high in protein it is often too hot for our horses that
are idle most of the time. We discussed insulin-resistant horses and laminitis. Controlling what our horses eat and
have access to, combined with providing a healthy, rugged work-out schedule can be the best treatment for horses
with hoof problems. Some tips Leslie provided: Orchard grass can be high in sugar, while local grass cut in the
morning can have some of the lowest sugar content. Some low-carb feeds are available such as beet pulp, soy hulls
(as an alternative to COB), grass pellets (as an alternative to alfalfa pellets), and SBH&F Low Carb Complete Pelleted
feed (as an alternative to senior feeds).
The other major influence on the hoof is the exercise and movement of the horse. Horses confined to domestic life
rarely get the exercise and miles of travel that wild horses do. The wild horse travels constantly in search of food. This
travel wares the horse’s hooves naturally and creates a short, healthy hoof. We discussed the barefoot trim and how it
attempts to mimic the horse’s natural hoof care.
After lunch, we watched Leslie trim a cadaver hoof. We discussed toe length, separation of the hoof wall, strength and
weakness of the soul, measuring the frog to determine the position of the coffin bone, and had an opportunity to ask
questions and see the hoof trimming up close.
We then picked out our own cadaver hooves and started trimming. Most of us trimmed two hooves each. Though
many of us felt uneasy about the idea of handling the cadaver hooves at first, we got over it and had a great time
learning to do the barefoot trim.
We also watched Leslie trim one of her horses that had been given the Barefoot trim for approximately 4 years.
We want to thank Leslie for hosting a fabulous clinic at her lovely home. For more info on the barefoot trim, here are
two wonderful books for your enjoyment: “Horse Owners Guide to Natural Hoof Care” by Jaime Jackson, “Making
Natural Hoof Care Work for You” by Pete Ramey. You can purchase these books by clicking on the link below to
amazon.
Photos from the clinic, and of our horses without shoes:
(above, left) Bonnie's mare, Sara, shows off her freshly trimmed tootsies. She has never been shod with
traditional shoes. She enjoys Old Mac Horse Boots when we ride on rough terrain. Otherwise she is barefoot.
(above, right) Peder's gelding, Baldur. Barefoot and lovin' it.
traditional shoes. She enjoys Old Mac Horse Boots when we ride on rough terrain. Otherwise she is barefoot.
(above, right) Peder's gelding, Baldur. Barefoot and lovin' it.