Monday, March 17, 2014

"Going Barefoot – Sometimes A Touchy Subject"


Howdy Friends,
  
One uncomfortable thing many folks who have decided to take their horses barefoot face is peer pressure. They've made the decision based on facts we now know to be true, "No shoe can be applied to a hoof without damage, and health compromises." Read more in my blog, "Why Barefoot." Making the change to barefoot can be a tough decision. Many folks labor with it for months, some years. Then they hear their horse and realize they must do the right thing.
Me giving Kessy her pedicure
The transition though is just then beginning. The horse and their person must not only adjust to the new healthier lifestyle, but often these horses are boarded in barns where many, if not most, have yet to see the light, and will insist going barefoot sets your horse up for failure and pain. To justify their own reluctance to change, or even honestly consider the health of their horse, they make excuses; it's too rocky here, my horse goes lame when it loses one shoe how could it go barefoot, I tried it already and my horse could hardly walk, and on and on with the tired old reasons to justify nailing iron on hooves. 

Sadly, in some cases, the peer pressure is so intense that folks just give up and don't make the transition to the barefoot paradigm. Some folks go on carrying the tug at their heart, deep inside knowing they should make the correct choice for their horse, but can't deal with the pressure at the barn. Others actually join those who "talked them out of barefoot," to try to placate that little voice inside that keeps telling them, "barefoot is healthier for your horse."

Peer pressure can be very difficult to deal with when a person is already nervous about making a change. Even when that change is clearly for the better health of your horse. Haven't we all heard we should not allow negativity into our lives? Peer pressure is one of the most powerful forms of negativity. Folks who know going barefoot is best for their horse, but hesitate because they don't want to be an outsider in their barn, may simply need to find another barn and shed that negativity. It's for the horse, after all.

Another, "Touchy Subject," referring to my title of this post. And please forgive my brashness with this one … but not all barefoot trimmers get it. My single biggest piece of advice here is, if your trimmer does barefoot as well as shoes, get another trimmer. They don't understand the workings of a horse's foot, legs and body, and are unable to see the true bare foot. They just see a foot without shoes. And that's not really good enough.

On that note, I have a story. Recently I was invited to a barn to do some, therapy exercises for two horses, and instruct the owner on them. I don't know what percent of the horses there were barefoot, but the two I was to work on where. As I approached the first horse, while still a good fifty feet away, I could see the cause of the overall body pain of the handsome 4 year old. His stance was one of managed discomfort, because it was all he knew. He was a sweet fellow with a kind look. I actually heard him say, "Help me." I turned to his owner and said, "Please forgive me for my bluntness, but before I even touch him, I can see where 100% of his soreness comes from. His feet are horribly trimmed." The owner told me the "farrier" has been doing it for 30 years. I replied, "He's been doing it wrong that long too."

We did have a lovely session with the 2 horses, both of whom had the same badly managed hooves by the barn's 30 year veteran. I mixed in a few suggestions of what needed to be corrected, and a strong suggestion the owner switch trimmers, even recommended one. The owner informed me there is a lot of loyalty at the barn for this fellow and she was afraid to cause problems. The owner would, "think about it." I was asked to continue to instruct the therapy exercises, which of course I'll do – But I left knowing those 2 sweet horses would continue to walk with pain from hooves caused by stretching lamina from incorrectly managed hooves, the result of peer pressure.

I know this post is a bit edgier than I like to write, but I intend it in an honest, helpful way. As folks who know me understand, everything I write has its root in my motto, "It's For The Horses." I hope if you are dealing with doubt, questions, or peer pressure regarding anything about barefoot horse keeping, this little story helps strengthen your resolve.

Gitty Up ~ Dutch Henry

Please also read my story  - "How Can I Transition to Barefoot?"

And you'll also want to read my story, "The Barefoot Paradigm"

18 comments:

  1. As a barefoot trimmer, I used to see this a lot and still do on occasion, but less often. Barefoot has become more accepted in many circles and lots of folks now know the benefit of short toes and good heal health, concavity, etc. Being barefoot won't fix everything, but with the new boots available for transition and rehab, and people researching the enormous effect that diet plays in hoof health, going barefoot is easier than ever, and more accepted than it ever has been in the past. I think the biggest impediment to a healthy barefoot lifestyle is the early shoeing of immature feet when a horse first goes into training. If they have excellent hoof care, (short toes with no white line stretching, no flares allowed to develop, good tendon and heel development) as youngsters, there will rarely be a reason to shoe them later in life. Early shoeing and improper hoof trimming sets a young horse up for a lifetime of easily avoidable hoof problems. I think with the internet and holistic information available at a persons fingertips, being pressured or made to feel guilty about going barefoot will one day be a thing of the past. Seeing healthy barefeet out on trails helps spread the word too. It's ironic that the horses most likely to be shod their entire lives are those horses who never even see a rocky trail, but instead, spend their lives in stalls and running around a riding ring in circles day in and day out, with nary a pebble in sight! :) Keep up the great barefoot promoting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love Everything you said, Anita! - Thanks for being a Coffee Clutcher!

      Delete
  2. Excellent points made Dutch. I took Dakota off shoes 3 years ago - best decision I have made with him. His entire attitude changed. His gait, which was smooth with shoes, was even more smooth without! I learned so much from researching BEFORE I transitioned. Quality feed and correct minerals for the specific area we live in was instrumental in promoting a strong healthy hoof. The topography of his pasture was also keen in helping the transition. I have a very sure footed saddle horse that can produce a smooth, healthy gait and surefootedness on the trail. I do use hoof boots on the front as we have areas we ride that are rocky and we go through creeks with rocks and gravel, and I would recommend those once the horse is barefoot and comfortable. It is also essential, as you pointed out, using a farrier that is CERTIFIED in Barefoot Trimming. I researched the different trimmers out there that teach this method and found a few farriers in my area that follow Pete Ramey's methods, which I have found to be the most consistent in teaching methods. Just thought I'd share my,,"six" cents worth here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for sharing your six cents, Tina!!

      Delete
  3. I got my horse last May, he had a fresh trim and rode him and he was just fine UNTIL the first time it came to get his feet trimmed... I used a farrier who came highly recommended by others at our barn and did quite a few horses... one after another (which should have been a red flag to me). Unfortunately, he trimmed very aggressively, scraped some sole off my "flat footed, thin soled" quarter horse and things went from bad to worse very quickly... had a vet out who recommended shoes on the fronts with pads, which I did as he was in pain... that was a temporary "fix" but not the one I wanted... I heard about a barefoot trimmer from a friend who I called and asked her for help and advice.
    She pulled the shoes, discovered thrush and extremely poor frogs and little heel... and went to work...
    We put my horse on a hoof supplement, worked on getting rid of the Thrush and she was very helpful in explaining all she was doing and why, and she spent quite a bit of time with my horse.
    I LOVE MY FARRIER!!!
    She does not shoe horses... and is a firm believer in trying to keep a horse barefoot. She is an endurance rider and also is a dealer for a number of different hoot boot companies. This Spring I am getting boots for my horse, which I believe is best for him. HOPEFULLY this summer I will be doing more riding with a happier horse!
    I do realize that every horse is different and a person needs to do what is best for their horse... for me, keeping him barefoot and comfortable with boots is the "right" thing in my case!
    ~Terri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry your guy and you went through that, Terri, But thrilled all is okay now! ~ Thanks for reading & commenting!

      Delete
  4. Dutch,
    as a barefoot trimmer I appreciated and enjoyed your answer to that horse owner. 30 years of doing something wrong does make a person an expert... but an expert in doing it wrong. Ritzy or Dressage barns can be the toughest as one person steps out, becoming the black sheep by taking the horse barefoot. Usually they are harassed without mercy. All knowing trainers with divine knowledge claim they cannot be barefoot and still perform. I asked one once where she received her barefoot training knowledge and she ran off .. suddenly busy. I have found that quietly trimming so others can see the transformations the "cripple" horse goes thru is far more effective than anything I can say to them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Mike, for reading our Coffee Clutch, for your comment, and for all you do to help horses ...

      Delete
  5. I walk this edge every day by the posts I make on FB and not just on my page. If we don't, nothing will change...it all starts with awareness...this is only edgy because some folks can't handle the truth (for whatever reason)...Like it has been said, just because everyone is doing it, it does not make it right!......keep on writing :-) Ute

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ute - My motto is, "It's For The Horses."

      Delete
  6. I think its a very negative , pushy article. If barefoot is for every horse and rider then in time more horses will naturally become shoeless. Word of mouth and results are what speak true not a slander about rival hoof care.
    If I went to a car lot and the manager was bad mouthing his opposition next door I would walk away as he should not need that patter if he had a good reputation.
    Stop focusing on bad mouthing all farriers and feel secure in the knowledge you believe you are doing the right thing.
    I know some super farriers that go to barefoot clinics and keep up with the barefoot movement . You portray them all the same. but that's like saying all BFT are tree hugging Hippy's which is also not true.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, Jemma. My motto is, "It's For The Horses," - And please understand, this story is really not about barefoot vs shod ... It's about peer pressure ... And I was there to do bodywork on 2 very sore horses. It was wholly appropriate for me to point out that all the bodywork would be for nothing if the hooves continued to be managed in the way they are ... Hope this helps, Dutch

      Delete
  7. Nice blog Dutch! Love your quote: "My single biggest piece of advice here is, if your trimmer does barefoot as well as shoes, get another trimmer. They don't understand the workings of a horse's foot, legs and body, and are unable to see the true bare foot. They just see a foot without shoes. And that's not really good enough." I'm gonna share it with a link to your blog on my HOOF TRIM NETWORK FB page. Good stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks Rebeccasott! -Not everyone sees it this way, yet, haha, And I truly don't enjoy being that blunt, but I genuinely feel that way ... If they can see the wisdom of nailing on shoes on some horses, they simply do not understand the mechanics of a horse's foot. In my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yes well that does open up a can of worms. I've recently been to THREE clinics to learn to glue on the EasyShoe. Its not what I would want for my barefoot and booted horses but its DEFINITELY better than a metal shoe and so I'm happy to start supplying and fitting it to client horses. Its better IMO to have a horse in a urethane flexible shoe (and this one is flexible at the heels...unilateral heel movement is possible, so its not casting the hoof the way a metal shoe does) than a metal shoe. But the really confronting thing is that the manufacturers say that they believe there is MORE flexion in the shoe if it is NAILED on rather than glued on....very interesting situation...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not a fan of these glue on shoes either, and they seem to be promoted as a choice over iron shoes, and sadly too many barefoot practitioners are falling for it ... in my opinion ...

      Delete
  10. First off, I am an owner trimmer and I have been barefoot trimming my horses for more than 10 years. I believe in continuing my education. I keep reading and studying about barefoot trimming. There was a huge antagonistic divide between barefoot trimmers and farriers in the early years of this new profession 10-15 years ago. Now, the best trimmers and the best farriers are communicating more and sharing their knowledge and attempting to cross the bridge of understanding. New Easyshoes came on the market this year and they have appeal to both farriers and barefoot trimmers. Not every horse can go barefoot and be ridden for intended work or competition. I didn't always feel this way, but I now accept that horseshoes can sometimes be a good choice in individual situations, but there are usually better choices in the huge array of boots and glue on options available for protecting hooves that need extra protection. The new breed of hoof care professionals prefer barefoot trimming but offer a wide choice of problem solving solutions for horses with issues. There is something else to keep in mind too. We have all heard about "bad farriers", well now unfortunately there are also "bad barefoot trimmers" as this profession has become more mainstream. So it isn't about slamming farriers any more. The issue is: educate yourself. Know what good hoof care is and how it affects the whole horse. Learn what a healthy balanced hoof should look like. Know about the role that nutrition plays in growing healthy hooves... and then figure out if you hoof care professional is doing a good job or not, and act accordingly.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You might like to come on down to Australia, Anonymous, to our FUNCTIONAL HOOF CONFERENCE here in November this year. Where we try and find common ground between farriers and trimmers - amongst a heap of educational presentations from lots of really interesting academics and practitioners.
    www.thefunctionalhoofconference.com

    ReplyDelete