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Natural Hoof Care High performance barefootedness
Jen Vasquez ROTH Foundations Course Alternative Horse Care Project
Agenda
• Natural defined • The natural hoof • Dynamics of the natural hoof • How to maintain the natural hoof • The natural trim • Natural trim tools
Natural Defined
Living in accordance with a living thing’s nature. Comes from Latin derivative, natal, meaning belonging to one’s birth – “natural order”.
What is a natural hoof?
• No physiological or genetic difference between wild horse and domestic horses
• Weak problematic hooves do not survive in the wild
• It’s not something bred in or bred out • Whatever the breed, sex, temperament, state of
soundness or lameness, is a good candidate for natural hoof care
Dynamics of the natural hoof
Primary Focus: • Size • Proportion • Balance Secondary focus: • Texture • Contour • Color
Size
• Toe Length • Hoof Width • Hoof Length
Mean (Average) Range
Front Hind Front Hind
Toe Length 3 in. 3 in. 2 ½ - 3 ¾ in 2 ½ - 3 ¾ in
Toe Angle 54 degrees 58 de 48 - 62 de 51 – 65 de
Hoof Width 5 in. 4 ¾ in. 3 ¾ - 6 ¼ in 3 ½ - 5 ¾ in.
Hoof Length 5 1/8 in 4 7/8 in 4 ¾ - 5 3/8 in 4 ¾ - 5 3/8in
Balance
• Angle of growth • Active wear (3 points) • Frog Pressure • Hind versus front toe angles • Front versus hind hoof sizes • Sorefootedness • Measurement consistency
How to maintain the natural hoof
With a natural trim: A trim based precisely on the hooves of the wild horse, healthy barefoot horses with long, proven history of soundness and lameness-free lives. Goals of the natural trim: 1. The hoof is shaped according to its unique size,
shape, and proportion 2. The shaping is done so as to simulate natural
wear.
The natural trim
• Smooth straight outer wall that angles down from the hairline to the ground
• Toe angles will average from 50-60 degrees • Toe length will measure from 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches long
from the airline to the ground • Mustang roll where the hoof well meets the ground the
outer wall will turn in a distinct smooth radius • The hairline will descend gradually from the midline of
the toe wall to each quarter, at which point it will tend to descend sharply in a distinct curve to the heels and heal bulbs
The natural trim continued
• Back of the frog is trimmed or worn level with the ground and the surrounding heel buttresses. It has direct but passive, contact with the ground.
• The heal-buttresses are trimmed and worn with a mustang roll as well. Wild horses actually walk on the back of their heels.
• The sole of is concaved from the white line to the frog
The natural trim continued
• The outer wall supports the whole hoof on the ground in active contact, the sole and frog in contrast endure passive or indirect contact like the arch of your foot
• The outer wall has areas of active and passive support. These spots are most commonly in a triangle but the location and size very horse to horse.
Sustainable natural hoof considers
• Nutrition • Living conditions (stall/paddock/pasture) • Veterinary care • Saddling practices • Riding methods
Barefoot, boots, or shoes
• As nature intended • Consider your specific situation • Include whole horse (body, mind, spirit) when
choosing your options • Where job or terrain warrants protection
consider boots versus shoes • Give your horse a voice!