03/24/2017
Before and after pics of Fuego's trim. His feet have the tendency to "run under" and out. Growth is removed by trimming the toe quarters and heel wall down just distal of the sole, rasping off unchecked wall flare and finnishing off with a beefy mustang roll (beveled hoof wall).
As angles, wall lengths, and thickness come closer to their natural proportions, and as the horse is encouraged to move within the natural gait complex, weight bearing forces continue to send signals, via the hair like horn tubules composing the hoof's epidermal structures. Growth is then thrown out by the hoof, especially in the places of "active wear" -in this case, the medial toe wall and the heels - only to be gobbled up again as it were, by wear or trims. In this way, natural hoof trims leads to natural hoof growth patterns, which in turn creates natural shapes. This self reinforcing pattern, is nature's way of imbuing the horse with strong, sound and resilient hooves capable of withstanding the rigors of its dynamic lifestyle in the harshest of terrain and conditions.
One goal of natural horse care is to provide the stimulus needed to induce movement and wear in the hoof. This is done through designing boarding systems that induce behaviorally driven movement (* paddock paradise), riding/working the horse in accordance with its innate natural gait complex and administering a "natural trim" when needed. Most domestic horses are far removed from natural lifestyles, their hooves manifesting their realities in unnatural confirmation and weakness. However, it's never too late to start healthy practices and lifestyle changes that align with the horses true needs.
