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The picture below shows how fast a horse is capeable of making a transition to barefoot and natural from shoes. He
started his transition the day he got his shoes off and has lived out ever since. He was agressive in behavior
to his handlers and other horses. He is a different horse today. Relaxed and happy out in his living space.
The 5 pictures show the horse in shoes, after taking shoes off, initial set up trim and before and after the second trim
25 days later.
There is noticeable improvement with the overall quality and health of his feet and his owner is riding him again. He
never went sore ... only experienced immediate relief!!
Don't get discouraged reading the transition page. Know that there is hope for all horses ... including yours.
| A HORSE IN TRANSITION |
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| 25 DAYS PROGRESSION |
Barefoot horses are not a new commodity. The knowledge and conditions
required to achieve a high performance bare hoof was written in the 4th century BC by Xenophon.
I believe that most to all lameness issues today have some connection
to the foot ... whether the vets and farriers see it or not. Lameness issues can be caused by shoeing and/or improper trimming techniques. Most likely in combination along with unsupportive
living conditions or an unnatural lifestyle.
Good News!! You are not alone!
More and more people are taking their responsibility for the health
and welfare of their horses to a new level and earnestly making the transition to barefoot and natural lifestyle, beginning
their journey to the elusive sound horse ... sound in mind, body and spirit.
There are shod feet, unshod feet and performance barefeet and a transition
period can be expected in going from shoes or unshod to high performance barefeet.
There is usually some form of deformation present in a shod or otherwise 'unsound' hoof. The severity depends on
a few different factors, such as how long the horse has worn shoes, overall conformation, amount of movement, supportive
footing, living space, at what intervals he was reset or pasture trimmed, how young when first started wearing shoes, the
diet, etc.
But there is hope to attain that elusive sound horse. With time, patience,
understanding (and movement!!) ... anything is possible!!
The horse's foot is so incredibly adaptable and will respond in growth and strength to the way it is trimmed
and how often.
Performance trimming is more like a pedicure than a trim. It's about keeping the horse in a balanced and
correct foot form ... and getting him to use his feet.
Restoring Intended Hoof Function
During the time when the horse was shod or improperly trimmed
and maintained, the feet have deformed in some way. Usually varying degrees of contraction are present.
What is contraction??
Lets start with what the dictionary says...
Contraction: The
drawing up and thickening of a muscle fiber or a muscle in action ... being contracted.
Contract: Implies
a drawing together of surfaces or parts and a resultant decrease in size, bulk or extent: to shrink is to contract so
as to be short of the normal or required length, amount, extent..etc..
The foot can contract in a few different ways...but you get the idea that
contraction is not desirable!! It is so common that most people don't recognize contraction when they
are looking right at it. Most horses that are not performance trimmed have some amount of contraction.
The word contract implies that things are not normal and working
properly ... they can't because everything is being 'squished' and pinched inward. It's like having a huge ingrown
toe nail! The feet are the life force of the horse. Many things can and do happen when the feet are compromised
in their intended function.
With a contracted foot you are not able to see a noticeable expansion
of the heels upon weight bearing. In order for a foot to heal it must have that function restored, and supported.
The pictures below show how the feet can contract differently. The
first picture shows a narrow or oblong shape to the foot. The middle picture shows narrow frog and heel bulbs. This
foot is a contracted foot in transition and has already gone through some changes.
Just for comparison, the third and final foot is NOT contracted.
The circulation
in contracted feet has most definitely been compromised to some point – in severe contraction, often to the
point of deficient nerve function being.
The blood flow
may have been restricted enough to have cells die or at the very least some damage at a cellular level. This damage and
much more can be repaired through proper trimming and movement! movement! movement!
The horse (as all living creatures) has an amazing capacity to heal itself. All
we have to do is supply him with the medium to do so!!
The job of
circulation in the body is 'flushing' toxins and damage out of the system. This may cause some initial perceived discomfort for the horse. It is the body cleansing itself
and may last a couple days.
The horse’s
entire system is compromised by shoeing, by unnatural hoof shape and by unnatural living conditions. This is just
one reason – an important one – that makes movement during rehab
or transition key! If the damage is mild, the system can easily absorb the damaged tissue. If
the damage is more severe, the tissue may be ejected from the hoof the form of an abscess ... natures way of cleansing
excessive toxins out of the body.
If the horse
is kept immobile (such as stalled ... even overnight) proper healing cannot take place. Imagine the blood 'pooling' in
the foot and legs. Metabolism is slowed, circulation reduced etc. The entire system is compromised. The more movement you can give your horse, the better off his entire system will be ...
and the shorter transition or recovery period.
Some horses
may never experience a transition period when going from a 'pasture trim' to a high performance barefoot trim. And
even some lameness or gait abnormalities, stiffness, and some behavioral disorders may immediately disappear with the horse moving off better and sounder than before. This has
been our most common experience here at EQUINEXTION.
Be assured
of one thing – by incorporating a more Natural Lifestyle and more movement for your horse, right here and now,
you will have immediate benefits!! No reason to wait.
The picture above: There is one high performance barefoot
horse and two barefoot horses in transition. Can you tell the difference?
The middle foot is the natural hoof ... in winter. Notice the very large heel area. The heel
area includes all the heel bulbs, back 1/3 of the frog as well as the hoof
wall at the heel. It also includes the internal structures that you can't see from the outside
but you can make an educated guess as to wether they are full and robust or atrophied and not functioning properly.
The two feet on either side need to develop the heel area more (the entire heel area) and will continue to do so
now that the feet are being maintained in the proper shape.
Notice the middle foot. The heel bulbs and frog make a heart shape !
So each foot does have a heart after all !
Succesful Transition to High Performance
Barefoot horse
There are a
few things to remember in this recovery or transition period. One is that this is a
period of 'transition'/recovery. The time needed is dependant on many different factors ... but there is a time
frame to be expected.
A deformed
hoof lacks strength and quality of horn. The underside of the foot is usually impacted with excessive growth of the sole,
bars or frog – or most likely a combination of the three. The heels are usually long and/or underrun and have some
degree of contraction present. The foot needs time and most importantly 'movement' along
with proper shape and correct diet to develop the foot's inherent strength and elasticity.
The rider/owner
needs to make allowances for the horse to transition properly and fully. You must be dedicated to healing the horse,
not looking for a quick fix. This time and dedication will pay off in many ways. Think of the prospect of
having a wonderfully strong and healthy foot (that has the ability to practically maintain itself) under a sound and
sane horse.
The feet go
through some very dramatic and dynamic changes to reform to their natural shape and function ... IF it is given the
means to do so. The horse may or may not experience soreness
or discomfort during the transition period. Either way, he is much better off. The alternative is having
the damaging effects of shoes and/or unnatural lifestyle continue for years ... possibly to the point of no return.
At EQUINEXTION, it has been our experience that most horses receive immediate relief
from changing their lifestyle and trimming procedures.
The horse requires movement to stimulate the new growth and reshape the foot. He needs
movement to strengthen the overall structure of the foot and of his
entire system. He needs movement to pump the blood and
cleanse out toxins. He needs movement to build his physical
being which in turn feeds his spirit.
Movement releases endorphins and elevates mood Good spirits are
essential for healing.
Remember the
foot responds to the stimulus presented to it. And a foot can and will go through a complete cycle of rebuilding and healing
when given the medium to so. We have seen complete chronic founder cases fully recover in less than one year.
This may require
some initial hand walking of the horse by the owner/rider as well as coming up with innovative ways to keep the horse interested in moving. The owner/rider must be dedicated to
the rehabilitation process!
Good luck to you and yours. We are always here to help.
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