Resources
Click a category below to see a related list of resources (feel free to add your favorite resources!). Looking for a trimmer? Search our Barefoot Trimmers Directory.
Books and Publications (3)
Nature Hoof
Barefoot Books, dvds, trimming tools.
Phone: +33 (0)3 21 91 60 49
The Horse's Hoof
The Horse’s Hoof is a generic barefoot resource (and publication) that welcomes all methods of barefoot trimming, and supports all forms of hoof care that focus on creating healthier hooves.
www.foresthorse.com
Your source for natural hoofcare books and hoofboots as well as Sensation Treeless Saddles and a wonderful selection of books, DVDs, and other products for natural horsekeeping, training and riding.
Phone: 830-833-4580
Discussion Groups (Yahoo, Google, etc.) (13)
Equinextion Natural Hoofcare Discussion Forum
A great resource for anyone interested in barefoot trimming. Experienced trimmers and newbies alike are welcome. A warm, welcoming environment.
MySpace Barefoot Horse Group
This is a My Space group called Barefoot Horses. So far there are over 90 members from all over the world. You can get advice on your barefoot horse, ask questions about going barefoot, give your personal stories, or just meet other horse people.
Yahoo Group - Abrasivehorsehooftrimming
If you're new to barefoot trimming and want to start trimming your horses, check out these new improved tools for trimming horses. Greatest advancement in horse hoof trimming tools in a five hundred years. I will back up this claim with pictures of my three horse's hooves and let you judge for yourself.
Yahoo Group - BarefootEnduranceHorses
We are a group of endurance riders, or wannabes who are interested in keeping our horses shoeless. We have joined together to share all sorts of information, fellowship and fun. We do not tolerate flaming and we don't care to hear your opinions if they are negative towards barefootin'. Otherwise, please join in! We'd like you to introduce yourself when you join and tell us a bit about your horses and the trim method you follow as well as your experiences (or lack of) in endurance. Specific advice/discussion regarding trimming techniques should not be posted here, but to one of the trimming related groups. Posts on this board are the property of the group and may not be posted elsewhere without the consent of the author.
Yahoo Group - barefoothoofcare
This group welcomes people who are committed to or would like to learn more about the principle of barefoot horses living in as natural a way as practicable. It aims to facilitate an informed and open exchange of knowledge and experience with the view of continuously improving the quality of equine barefoot trimming, holistic lameness rehabilitation and natural lifestyle.
Yahoo Group - barefoothorsecare
This group is dedicated to the care and welfare of barefoot horses, everywhere, all breeds. We specialize in hoof-related matters, although we discuss other subjects such as general physical problems, nutrition, lifestyle, maintenance, behavioral issues. This is a restricted and monitored list and off-topic posts are discouraged. Personal attacks against individuals or trim methods are not tolerated. The objective is to share problems concerning our horses and to offer solutions. We encourage "newbies" as well as experienced horsepeople to join us. We "owners" are just caretakers who've assumed the responsibility for our equine friends, and those who join here take that responsibility seriously.
Yahoo Group - BarefootTruth
This group is primarily for those interested in Barefoot Trimming. All trims methods are discussed. All trimmers are welcome, as well as farriers, and others. The purpose of this site is to help each other and pass on knowledge and experience. Within reason, any topic relating to the care and well-being of horses is okay. No one method of trimming is promoted at this site - members share what has worked and/or does work for them. It's all about learning, sharing, moral support and community.
Yahoo Group - equine-founder
The Equine-Founder Group is a place to find support and help for those who currently have or have had a horse or other equine with Founder and/or Laminitis. Anyone treating horses with Laminitis or Founder or those interested in learning more about Laminitis and Founder are also encouraged to join. Here we share information about treatment methods, experiences, successes and failures, and emotional support.
Yahoo Group - EquineCushings
This list provides a place for everyone who has or has had a horse with Cushings Disease or similar problems and symptoms. Here we can share experiences, pass along veterinary knowledge and research, offer advice, and help each other deal more effectively with the diagnosis, symptoms, problems, and emotions that occur.
Yahoo Group - equineveterinarymedicine
A group for vets, vet students, techs, and horse owners to discuss equine medicine, and horses in general. Our searchable message archive will be loaded with informative articles on equine health issues. Just search for the disease you're interested in! Other veterinary professionals and horse owners are welcome to contribute to the database, just say where your info is coming from--personal experience, a journal, vet school, etc., and briefly mention your background.
Yahoo Group - naturalhorsetrim
This is a group for horse owners interested in high performance barefooted horses, based on the wild horse model (including Jaime Jackson's wild horse studies), and in rehabilitating horses using the methods of Dr. Hiltrud Strasser.
Yahoo Group - superhoof
The SuperHoof Yahoo Group is a forum for professional and advanced barefoot hoof trimmers to AMICABLY discuss and share methods of rehabilitating and maintaining healthy equine hooves. This site is meant to be a forum for higher education and research regarding barefoot trimming.
Yahoo Group - vitaroyalforhorses
The purpose of this list is to pool knowledge in order to educate and support those using or needing information about the Vita Royal nutritional program as it applies to horses. By sharing our experiences and questions, we can help each other learn more about the fundamentals, correct application and benefits of Vita Royal’s equine protocol.
Educational Institutions/Schools (4)
Australian TAFE Certificate 3 in Equine Hoof Care
The first Government recognised qualification in Hoof Care specifically aimed at training professional barefoot trimmers but also available for private study. Involves an intensive 2 week live-in course then 12 months to complete assignments, case studies and mentorships. Taught in Tasmania at present and expanding to other states soon.
Phone: 61 3 6434 5846
Equinextion Trimmer Certification Courses
Lisa Huhn of Equinextion offers not only rehabilatative trimming, seminars, and clinics, but also the EQ Trimmer Certification Courses.
Phone: 613-258-3921(Canada)
Hoof Care Education through Equine Soundness
Equine Soundness is offering Hoof Care Courses for the discriminating Horse Owner, Professional Student, Veterinarian and Farrier. Years of experience in the field and in the class room have brought us to this learning platform. We are proud to offer you cutting edge information in an appealing format. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Phone: 803-647-1200
ONLINE Natural Hoofcare COURSE
Preventing hoof disease and health problems should be the goal of every horseowner. This online course will help you do just that. If the horse's hooves are not healthy the horse is not healthy and visa versa. Many important topics are covered to help you maintain optimal hoof health by recognizing a healthy, well functioning hoof and being able to prevent hoof diseases. You will be introduced to many of the common problems faced by horses, many due to management and hoof maintenance problems, and you will learn the steps to take so that you can reduce the risk for your horses.
Phone: 508-476-1317
Environment (2)
Cow Carpet
Cow Carpet is a porous fabric designed to end all mud and erosion problems. This fabric has tremendous strength and will prohibit sinking, even with heavy vehicle traffic, pay loaders and feed wagons. When it rains, Cow Carpet allows water to drain while preventing the top cover of crushed rock, sand or rock dust from sinking. Great for pea gravel underlayment!
Phone: (540) 489-1262
Natural horse care
Information on all aspects of natural horse care including natural trimming
Health and Nutrition (3)
E3Live
E3Live™ for Horses is an organic dietary supplement with the simplest of life forms: Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) [blue-green algae].
HerbalCom - good source for bulk Jiaogulan, Cinnamon and more
Our bulk herbs and craft supply is ethically gathered at peak potency. The herbs are free of pesticides and herbicides, and are not fumigated or irradiated. Lab tested, 100% pure. We also offer USDA Certified Organic herbs. Alternative medicine makers come to us for quality herbs.
Hoof Supplements
Phone: 260-413-0709
Hoof Boots (7)
Cavallo Simple Boots
EasyCare
Makers of Easyboots, Easyboot Epics, Easyboot Bares, Old Macs, Boa Boots and more.
FounderFree.com
Sells Hoof Wraps, Thinline Hoof Pads, and Founder Free, a pro-biotic, topical solution that is applied to the white line (and/or frog) of the horse's hooves to inhibit the growth of the bacteria and fungi .
Phone: 1-888-740-4450
Happy Hoof Therapeutic Hoof Pads
The Happy Hoof Pad System is a complete, tailor-made protocol designed by the HAPPY HOOF COMFORT FOAM team and for each specific horse / foot being worked on or being brought through recovery. There are six different color-coded pad densities, which come in a minimum of two and up to five thicknesses, depending on the pad and its intended purpose.
Phone: 941-448-9282
Horse Mocs
Protect your horse's hooves from abrasive terrain and are perfect for short-term medicinal use
Karen's EasyCare & Endurance Musings
Endurance riding in EasyCare boots, plus excellent tips and tutorials for using the hoof boots made by EasyCare
Marquis Supergrip Hoof Boots
The Marquis are the ultimate in hoof protection for various applications such as transition, sport/performance, hospital, soaking, endurance,reining sliders and much more. They have all replaceable parts with engineered design and quality construciton.
Phone: 1 800 403-0689
Methods and Research (19)
American Hoof Association (AHA)
An organization of peer-reviewed hoof care professionals offering progressive, preventative and rehabilitative services, education and information.
An Interview With Tomas Teskey D.V.M.
March 2, 2007
Andrew Bowe - The Barefoot Blacksmith
Based in Victoria, Australia. Andrew & Nicky Bowe run a rehabilitation centre for natural hoof care as well as hosting and travelling to clinics to teach the basics of trimming
Barefoot for Soundness
Marjorie Smith: This website is a voice for the experience and observations of several dozen barefoot-horse colleagues, plus the thoughtful contributions of many readers, since 2000.
Bone Remodeling of the Equine Distal Limb
Mark D. Fischer M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon, University Minnesota, USA.
Sheri L. Fischer R.N., B.S.N., Fischer Equine Lameness Foundation, www.healthehoof.com
Breaking Traditions -- A Veterinary Medical and Ethical Perspective on the Modern Day Usage of Steel Horseshoes
By Dr. Tomas G. Teskey, D.V.M. Hereford, AZ, U.S.A.
Contrasting Structural Morphologies of 'Good’ and 'Bad’ Footed Horses
By R. M. Bowker - Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Equinextion
Lisa Huhn of Equinextion offers not only rehabilatative trimming, seminars, and clinics, but also the EQ Trimmer Certification Courses. Equinextion also has an excellent discussion forum. Awesome resource!
From the website: "The feet are the life force of the horse. Improper foot form and function, combined with an improper lifestyle, creates an encyclopedia of maladies that affect our horses today: founder, laminitis, navicular, thrush, 'mystery' lameness, sore hocks, locking stifles, back pain, colic, heaves, vices, bad behavior … and more. Reverse the effects of unnatural lifestyle and conventional trimming and shoeing. Read our site, organize an Equinextion seminar or clinic, join our forum and learn how to get your horse healthier and saner today."
Phone: 613-258-3921(Canada)
Going the distance.....BAREFOOT
Using Pete Ramey's method of a Natural Hoof Trim based on the model of the wild horse
Gretchen Fathauer - Treating Founder (Chronic Laminitis) without Horseshoes
The success of this approach to laminitis hinges on trimming the feet OFTEN (ideally 2x weekly), keeping the horse on firm, non-concussive ground during the recovery period when he is barefoot, and using removable boots when working him on hard or rocky ground to prevent stone bruises--until enough sole and hoof wall thickness builds up, and enough stronger new laminae grow down to return the coffin bone to a more normal position.
Jaime Jackson - Star Ridge Company
Keith Seeley
Keith is a graduate of Casey and Son Horseshoeing School and is a Certified Journeyman II farrier, is a lifetime member and a past board member of eight years for the B.W.F.A. He is a founding member of the Farriers National Research Center in No. Georgia. Most recently, he is a founding member, farrier and clinician for the equine research foundation known as BOGHS, which includes the highly renowned equine research pathologist, Dr. Robert Bowker and the Aerospace engineer and inventor Tommy Lee Osha.
Keith has traveled the four corners of the country helping foundered horses and horse owners with their equine friends. Keith has been featured in several national magazines including Fortune and Anvil, and has written articles for several local and regional publications. Keith has also been featured on WTVM Channel 9 of Columbus, Ga. and CNN. He continues to assist at various farrier and horse owner clinics, fairs, and the like, throughout the country.
Laminitis Treatment: A Natural Medicine Perspective (PDF)
By Joyce Harman DVM MRCVS and Madalyn Ward DVM - a practical overview of using natural medicine to treat laminitis
Linda Cowles - Hoofcare & Information for Sound Barefoot Performance
Eager to help rehabilitate neglected, navicular and foundered horses, preferably working with your vet. Successfully transitions horses from shoes to barefoot soundness, and routinely resolves conditions like white line disease, contracted heels, under run heels and long toes.
More Hoof Ideas from Dr. Robert Bowker
by Yvonne Welz ©2007, as published in Issue 27 of The Horse's Hoof Magazine
Pete Ramey
Relationship of Hoof Form to Metabolism & Cresty Necks and Founder
Rethinking Traditional Hoofcare: The Strasser Theory Flies in the Face of Mainstream Farrier Logic (PDF)
Tribe Equus
Photos of wild horse hooves from various environments
Trimming Tools (6)
Cummins 4" Angle Grinder
Abrasive trimming tool (use 36-40 grit zirconium flap discs)
Gloves for trimming, yard cleaning, moving hay, picking out feet.
These gloves are suitable for all of the above. They are "cheap as chips" strong and washable. We keep a number of pairs to hand for all of the above jobs, we find they are indispensable.
Grand Circuit White Lightning
White Lightning® is the active Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2) solution to Thrush, Skin Fungus and White Line Disease. Chlorine Dioxide has been demonstrated to be bactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal and sporicidal while remaining harmless to healthy tissue.
White Lightning® is safe to use, and unlike hypochlorite, does not produce toxic byproducts. Chlorine Dioxide is so safe, it is routinely added to orange juice and other consumer foods and beverages to kill contaminants and prevent spoilage. Chlorine Dioxide is even used by dentists in periodontal work. Not only is ClO2 safe, but it is up to seven times more effective than chlorine bleach.
Instructions for use here: http://www.healthyhoof.com/articles/Thrush/ThrushWhiteLightning.html
HAPPY HOOF Therapeutic Hoof Pad System
HAPPY HOOF Therapeutic Pad System is intended to be used as a system, but can be used individually, depending on how and what they will be used for. The "System" is a complete, tailor-made protocol designed by the HAPPY HOOF COMFORT FOAM team and for each specific horse / foot being worked on or being brought through recovery. There are six different color-coded pad densities, which come in a minimum of two and up to five thicknesses, depending on the pad and its intended purpose. HAPPY HOOF Therapeutic Pad System is not intended to be the "cure" for founder or navicular, but is an essential component to providing comfort and / or support during the recovery period. As with virtually all hoof problems and ailments, the primary key component to achieving sound, healthy feet is a proper, well-balanced trim. Pads are intended and designed to assist the trim with the comfort, support and recovery effort.
Phone: 941-448-9282
Storage Basket for Trimming Kit
Here is a great basket which we have found invaluable. It is strong enough and a perfect size to keep all your trimming kit in. We spent ages looking for something suitable which we could carry and would hold everything required e.g. rasps, knieves, gloves etc apart from a hoof stand and this has been ideal. Again cheap as chips!
Phone: 01747 813901
Well-Shod.com
Good prices on rasps and nippers
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