Why go barefoot?

Why should my horse be barefoot?

Barefoot horses are better able to feel the ground making them more stable and safer to ride.

Being barefoot allows the hoof mechanism to function properly improving circulation and creating strong new growth.

Being barefoot allows for greatly improved shock absorption and traction.

No more rides spoiled by a thrown shoe.

Healthier hooves = healthier horses.

A natural barefoot trim is much less stressful to your horse than a farrier nailing shoes to your horses feet.

MY HORSE DUSTY WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NAVICULAR IN FEBRUARY OF 2005.

MY VETERINARIAN ADVISED ME TO ADMINISTER ADAQUIN (SPELLING) SHOTS ONCE A WEEK FOR A MONTH AND TO PUT EGG-BAR SHOES WITH A 2 DEGREE PAD, I PUT HIM ON EVERY SUPPLEMENT EVERY KNOWLEDGEABLE HORSE PERSON TOLD ME TO JUST HOPING TO MAKE HIM SOUND AND FEEL BETTER.

AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OF THIS DUSTY WAS STILL VERY SORE JUST STANDING OUT IN HIS PASTURE, WATCHING HIM I WONDERED IF I WAS DOING THE RIGHT THING? I FELT AWFUL FOR HIM.

I STARTED READING ABOUT THE NATURAL TRIM AND CONTACTED LISA IN NOVEMBER OF 2006. WHEN I MET LISA I EXPLAINED TO HER ALL I WANTED TO DO IS JUST GET DUSTY COMFORTABLE!!! SHE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID NOT ONLY WILL I MAKE HIM COMFORTABLE, IN ABOUT 6 TO 7 MONTHS YOU WILL BE RIDING THIS HORSE. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF I WILL NEVER RIDE THIS HORSE HE IS JUST TOO SORE..

THIS APRIL I NOTICED DUSTY GETTING A LITTLE MORE AGGRESSIVE OUT IN THE PASTURE, AND THEN I WOULD PUT HIM OUT IN THE MORNING AND HE WOULD RUN AROUND AND BUCK!!! LISA EXPLAINED THAT HE WAS STARTING TO FEEL BETTER AND HE NEEDS TO STRETCH OUT ALL THOSE TENDONS AND LIGAMENTS AROUND THAT NAVICULAR BONE, SO I STARTED HAND WALKING DUSTY EVERY DAY. I TOLD PEOPLE HE WAS MY BIG DOG..

MAY CAME AND I THOUGHT I WOULD JUST TACK HIM UP AND TAKE HIM FOR A NICE EASY RIDE. BUT AS SOON AS WE HIT THE TRAIL ALL HE WANTED TO DO WAS TROT AND PRANCE AROUND, HE WAS LIKE RIDING A 3 YEAR OLD FULL OF ENERGY. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN RIDING TWO TO THREE TIMES A WEEK.

I HONESTLY CANNOT THANK LISA FOR EVERYTHING, SHE GAVE ME MY HORSE BACK!!!
-MKT

Both photos are of Dusty's right front hoof.
Left photo - Dec. '06 Dusty has a negative coffin bone angle. At this point he was very, very sore.
Right photo - Sept. '07 - Needless to say, a much happier and active Dusty sports this hoof. All of his feet transitioned in they same way - new healthy growth supported by a good, consistent natural trim and an attentive horse owner.