Horses were first shod with metal shoes before we understood the physiology of the hoof. The shoes were intended to elevate the hoof off the manure and urine-saturated ground where the horse was tied. The premise was that the elevation would stop the hoof rotting. The captive horse’s hoof was not only weakened by a fetid environment, but also by the lack of movement which was a drastic change for animals accustomed to moving 15 miles a day with their herd. No movement meant no blood circulation and, not surprisingly, the rot worked its way between the metal plate and the hoof. By cutting out the middle of the plate and only leaving the outer rim, it was thought that the hoof could then retain some breathability and air circulation – hence originated the shape of the metal horse shoe, which has not changed since.

Time passes. We discover that the world is not flat, that smoking cigarettes is actually not good for your lungs. We evolve. We have internet, instant communication, space travel. Yet we still use shock-transmitting metal shoes and we still nail them on our horse’s feet. This antiquated dogma can no longer be substantiated as the best method to provide natural healthy hoof care.

You may have heard it said that a horse has 5 hearts; four on the ground and one in the chest.  This refers to the frog’s blood pumping function, circulating blood down through the extremities and back again. The frog spreads the heel apart, drawing the sole flat and inviting the bone structure of the leg to descend into the hoof. This is how shock is absorbed in the hoof capsule. If you can accept that circulation is imperative to the distribution of nutrients throughout the system, and that healthy blood flow aids in prevention and facilitates healing, it follows that limiting blood flow will lead to degeneration. If the frog cannot make ground contact and function as it should, then shock cannot be properly absorbed and blood cannot freely flow. When metal is nailed in all around, both proper blood circulation and shock absorption are dangerously impeded.

Keeping your horse barefoot encourages the blood to circulate with ease through the proper channels, carrying a host of nutrients. The hoof can flex and expand to allow shock absorption and relieve the strain to extensor tendons and lateral cartilage.

Naturally barefoot is nice in theory for a number of reasons such as increasing blood circulation, saving our terrain, preventing injuries between horses, allowing proper shock absorption and saving money but we must account for our horses’ domestic condition. Our recreational mounts no longer move with the herd, 15 miles a day foraging for food on hard arid ground and hydrating hoofs in watering holes. Their movement is limited to an average of 2 or 3 rides per week. Their hoofs are conditioned to their living environment: grassy pastures and bedded stalls. They are conditioned to tolerate the terrain of their habitat. But then for 5% or even a generous 10% of the time, we ask them to pack us up a gravelly trail or hard asphalt road. Their hoofs are not accustomed to this terrain and the load is increased with our weight and the weight of our saddles. This is the reason our horses require the benefit of our amazing breakthrough development: hoof boots!

Today’s compounds have far greater shock-absorbing features than metal. Take a metal shoe and bang it against a hard surface. You will feel the tremors vibrate up your arm. Try it. In fact, even the nails cause vibration which will compromise the integrity and break down hoof structure. Before our current level of technology, metal may have been the best we could do, but now we have compounds that absorb shock and provide protection on any terrain. Hoof boots absorb concussion, rather than transmit it, so that the sensitive Lamellae of the hoof are not compromised but instead are supported. The main support system of the coffin bone can remain strong and integral when the high frequency vibration of impact on metal is not constantly jarring. Imagine your Nike running shoe with a metal sole!

Let your horse to go barefoot for at least a portion of the year, using hoof boots when you ride, and you will be utilizing the fruits of modern technology towards a more compassionate understanding of our long-time servant and companion.

We now have an opportunity to re-examine the way we treat our horse’s feet. There is a significant amount of information readily available for you to learn more about bare hoofs. Hopefully your farrier can be your best resource. Find someone you can talk to and whose company you enjoy as he will need to trim and visit frequently once your horse has fully functioning, growing and alive feet.

About the author

Carole Herder has been involved in horse health since 1994. She speaks publicly on the benefits of keeping horses barefoot and as close to their natural state as possible. Her company, Cavallo Horse & Rider Inc., develops, manufactures and distributes horse products in 24 countries worldwide. Carole and partner Greg Giles designed and patented both the Cavallo Simple and Sport Hoof Boots. They work rigorously to develop products that provide comfort and protection for both horse and rider.