Natural Hoof Care

Natural Hoof Care (NHC) is a holistic or "whole horse" approach to hoof care based on the exemplary hooves and natural lifestyle of America's Great Basin wild, free roaming horses. The "wild horse model", as AANHCP practitioners call it, is a proven system for giving horses not only the healthiest soundest hooves possible, but the healthiest bodies and minds too! (AANHCP Field Guide to Natural Hoof Care)

The Natural Trim is a barefoot trim method that mimics the natural wear patterns of the wild free-roaming horses of the U.S. Great Basin. They are the exemplary model of what an equine hoof should be and how it is trimmed by nature in the environment where the species evolved. Naturally trimmed hooves are trimmed to the Wild Horse Model.

Why Natural Horse and Hoof Care?

Direct experience, extensive training and study have proven to me, without a doubt, that what is natural for a horse is what is best for a horse. There are many things one can do to care for the domestic horse in a way that works with his nature, his body and his mind.

I am not someone who is easily convinced of things and I used to wonder what this "barefoot thing" was all about. However, by managing horses in a progressively more natural way I have personally witnessed the following:

• Chronic colics in an individual horse disappear

• Shod horses with chronic lameness and weak/damaged hooves develop strong and sound barefoot hooves

• An irritable cranky horse transform in weeks into a calm and pleasant horse who no longer attacks pasture mates. What changed? His shoes were pulled and he was given a natural trim. When his pain diminished his attitude improved drastically. If I'd not seen it for myself I might not believe it.

Given the right diet, lifestyle and a natural trim all horses can be successfully barefoot. It is a holistic approach and is absolutely proven. Strong, sound barefoot horses are competing in endurance, racing, barrel racing, dressage, hunter/jumper, etc.