Hoof Care

GO BARE!

Going barefoot is much more than just a pasture trim.  It is also a lifestyle. We need to keep our horses moving on dry ground and varied terrain, have quality feed free from excess sugars, and support posture and movement with bodywork.
 
Horses were designed to be adaptable. They can adjust to varied terrain, food, weather, and so on. The hooves are equally adaptable and are flawlessly designed. God gave them shock absorbers, traction control, and dynamic propulsion.  There is no need for shoes on wild horses but once we started domesticating them people started putting shoes on. The shoes serve to keep a hoof from falling apart from poor diet, bad hygiene, and to serve in war as an extra little umph to a kick. Horses went from being kept outdoors into stalls. 

In today's world, horses are still kept in stalls and turned out during the day, turned out 24/7, or not turned out at all except for concentrated exercise. Horses are fed very differently than they were back then. Horses no longer serve as a vehicle for war or as a tool in the fields but rather as partners in competition and/or in life.  With continuous study and dedication to the horse view points are changing on hoof care, especially in regards to keeping a horse barefoot. 

Standing in a stall all day can really weaken the foot. They are designed to absorb large amounts of impact from galloping or landing from a jump. They weren't designed for long-term low impact. When horses stand in a stall on unsupportive footing the hooves can decome deformed. When we add shoes to the hoof and load the perimeter we suspend the frog, sole, and bars which further deforms the hooves.

Veterinarians are starting to see the implications of shoes and the wonders of the going barefoot. Not all shoeing is bad and some horses need shoes. But we can talk about shoeing later. Let's talk barefoot and what it means for you.


 IMPERATIVES TO GOING BAREFOOT SUCCESSFULLY

1. Having a heel first landing is key in keeping your horse comfortable during the transition period. When horses land flat or toe first for extended periods of time it can induce heel pain (also can be termed "navicular" pain). Toe first landing can also be a result of heel pain.

Part of landing heel first is to develop a healthy digital cushion. It is the shock absorbing tissue located in the back of the foot deep to the frog. It is supposed to be tough and fibrous not soft and squishy. From birth, horses were meant to be moving over all sorts of terrain for the vast majority of the day. However, we have domesticated horses and they don't get the proper movement needed to develop the digital cushion. When we put horseshoes on it prevents the frog from touching the ground, thus decreased function of the digital cushion and shock absorption. Once shoes are pulled, the back of the foot can become very sensitive as these structures haven't reached function. Hoof boots are an integral part of keeping the hoof comfortable so that a heel first landing can be achieved especially during the transition from shoes to barefoot

2. Appropriate breakover with a mustang roll. Toe flare, long toes, can cause late breakover, thus giving the limb less time to fully extend and achieve a heel first landing. This is part of the reason that a good mustang roll to improve breakover and reduce toe flare is so important for proper hoof function. Breakover is the point on the bottom of the foot that is still touching the ground just as the heel lifts off the ground. It is a push off point, thus giving us the propulsion. So if breakover is to late or too soon it can dramatically change the stride of the horse.

3. A key part of proper hoof function is a fungus free hoof. Thrush can go undetected when it invades the center sulcus of the frog. Thrush will invade and destroy frog tissues and reach live tissue. Due to this thrush can be quite painful and cause the horse to land toe first to avoid this pain. Thrush can happen during anytime of the year in any environment. Keeping living areas clear of manure and build up of urine is important for hoof hygiene. Thrush can also happen when the body is not receiving the proper nutrients to fight off infection. Copper and zinc are two key minerals to support the immune system and the hoof.

A typical pasture trim can leave the hoof with a thin sole that isn't protective of the coffin bone. Heels can be left too long in a pasture trim inducing contraction and more heel pain. This kind of trim is also flat. A flat trim causes flares in the quarters, toe or both. Flares are tearing of the hoof wall from the internal structures and are painful. It is like having a hangnail that keeps snagging and tearing a little more everytime.

4. Owner involvement. No horse will successfully go barefoot if the owner isn't on board. It is absolutely essential that the owner play an active role in the hoof care of their horse. They need to provide better environment for the hooves (and horses), they need to keep the foot dry and clean to reduce bacteria load. It isn't just horse management it is hoof management too.  The hooves adapt to their environment. If you have a wet mushy environment you can expect the same from your horse's hooves. If the horse lives on rocks and hard ground, you bet your horse will have strong rock-crushing hooves. Poor quality hooves can be genetic but more frequently it is how the horse is kept and on what kind of terrain. Owners must be willing to work with different types of terrain to help strengthen the hooves.


Benefits of Barefoot

1. Better circulation and stamina. Proper hoof function promotes blood flow to and from the hooves. As the horse moves properly blood is helped pump back up the leg from heel first landing. This better circulation can help with stamina as the cells are more oxygenated from the increase blood flow. Shoeing restricts the natural movement of the hoof thus impeding blood flow.

2. Better hoof function inside and out.  They were meant to have the internal and external structures moving, flexing and adapting. They can really feel the ground. As the hoof is allowed to flex and adapt tot he environment the supporting structures will become stronger; thus reducing injury. Horses will have an adjustment period but shouldn't be lame. There are boot and padding options to help the transition. While also keeping in mind that body issues must be addressed as well. 

3. Increased shock absorption as the hoof is able to expand and contract to dissipate the load. A well developed digital cushion, lateral cartilages, and frog are essential for shock absorption. A bare hoof can better dissipate the load it is bearing and will reduces stress on soft tissue and joints. Shoes will decrease shock absorption dramatically, even if there are pads and hoof pack.

4. Better proprioception and confidence.  The hoof relies on feedback from the ground to help it adapt to changes in terrain. When they can feel the ground they can be more sure about where they place their hooves. Horses that dodge jumps, refuse, or wait until the last moment can be unsure about where their hooves and legs are at in space. They want to know that when they leave the ground to clear a jump they will have hooves that can support the landing and absorb the shock from the impact.

5. Horse will have healthier hooves. Hooves will have fewer ailments. Cracks will heal. Thrush can clear up more readily. White Ling Disease will resolve. Flares will no longer cause problems or pain. With a proper trim (and preventative maintenance from the owner) that allows the hoof to function to its fullest potential most, if not all, problems can be resolved. Healthy hooves can better support our horses.

Signs of hoof pain 

• Stubborn
• Not moving freely
• Refusal to jump or  perform a task
• Difficult to pick up a leg
• Difficult for farrier work, especially nailing
• Uneven wear patterns
• Bulges or depressions on coronet band 
• Heat in the hoof
• Changes in posture