Background
I am a certified farrier with decades of experience. I retired as a full-time shoer several years ago due to injury and focused on our therapeutic services and trimming. My injury has resolved so I recently restarted my shoeing practice. I have experience with all types of riding disciplines, breeds, and sizes, from minis to draft.
My wife and I often work together and employ various Soft Touch techniques with nervous or troubled horses, where necessary, to help them settle into the process. We also have considerable experience working with laminitis, abscesses, quarter cracks, white line disease, and corrective trimming and shoeing.
Trimming
We do believe many shod horses could successfully go barefoot. It is especially true if the hooves are structurally sound and your horse has good conformation. I have utilized all the options over the years and take a balanced view in the barefoot vs. shoeing debate.
While it is not for everyone, when it does work, your horse can stay sound, healthy, and happy.
While my primary focus is on horses, we have experience trimming goats, zebras, cows, and pigs.
Factors to Consider
It is a big decision to transition to barefoot, and may not be for all horses or owners. But, if done correctly, the risk is low. And, if it doesn't work, you can always go back to regular shoes.
Factors to consider:
Barefoot Trimming Benefits
It can save you a considerable amount of money. But, if that were your only consideration, you probably would not be in the horse business.
Benefits:
Other Options
There are many options aside from metal shoes, including glue-on shoes and boots. Another option we like is Hoof Armor. This is a non-toxic, antimicrobial, inert material that is thinly spread on the bottom of the hoof from the wall to the frog. It protects the sole, limits abrasive wear, strengthens the hoof, and encourages healthy and more natural hoof growth. It is currently being used by horses at many levels from eventing to endurance riding. It is much cheaper than metal shoes and provides all the benefits of going barefoot while mitigating the disadvantages of metal shoes.
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