Better Be Barefoot        

There are a lot of good reasons to select a natural balanced barefoot trim for your horse:

• The hoof is made to support the weight and activity of a horse without adding shoes
• The foot is healthier if there is free movement
• The frog will improve in quality and structure
• The hoof wall can grow thicker
• The hoof can clean itself better when it is barefoot
• The hoof will wear more naturally
• Healthier hooves make for better movement, balance, and overall well being
• If you have ever thought "I can't wait to get these shoes off" only to find blisters and soreness - imagine how your horse feels if he is subjected to sore feet.  He has hundreds of pounds on them and he can't take his own shoes off if they hurt?  

Don't select  barefoot trim to save money!  Regular balanced trims are essential (every 4-7 weeks)

Don't select barefoot trims to avoid cleaning feet - you still need to pick feet.

Barefoot health won't always happen overnight!  Natural trimming is a process that may take several trims to achieve the best result. 

Barefoot trims will not fix all of your horse's health problems, but free movement, good nutrition, lots of exercise, and a balanced trim will get you on the right path.

Our natural trims are the result of years of training, volumes of research, and a mountain of practice.  Once I meet your horse and an evaluation is complete, I will work with you on a plan to get your horse to a healthier state and then we will work at keeping him at his peak.  We will team up with your vet and any others that may be called upon to contribute to your horse's health - all are vital to the plan!

The natural barefoot trim is a gradual process.  Getting the balance back and letting a hoof have free movement is vital to success and the health of your horse.  When a horse gets his first trim, you will often notice that when the foot is picked up, the horse is stiff - almost bracing himself for what is to come.  Once free of the shoe, it is wonderful to just hold the foot lightly and move it around.  Watch as the horse relaxes.  It feels good to him - like a massage feels to you.  He likes his ankle flexed and his leg relaxed.  His ears perk up, his head drops down, and he licks and chews.  SWEET!  This feels great.

The trim itself is a balanced one - one that lets him feel the earth beneath him.  One that lets his frog move and pulse with good blood supply.  His hoof wall can flex and it is stimulated for growth.  And his weight falls naturally on his hooves.  Many horses run and play with delight when turned out after their first natural and balanced trim.

From this point forward, the sound of my jeep will be a good thing for your horse.  He won't retreat to the back corners of the pasture.  This is great stuff!

If your horse has suffered significant issues in he past, our balance will require several visits and trims.  But each one will get better.  Each one will bring us closer to our goal. 

Better Be Barefoot is a tranquil, picturesque retreat for your horse so he can get well.  If your horse needs special attention for navicular sydrome, founder, contracted hooves, or "mystery lameness" - we may recommend that you allow him a stay at the ranch.  There, he will enjoy 24/7 movement; exercise according to his needs; fequent trimming; minerals and vitamins; soaking as needed;  organic feed; massage; chiropractic and accupuncture; homeopathy; and even the services of an animal communicator when required.  We can concentrate on getting him back on track totally and completely.  Remember, fixing the feet is not always just  trim away - sometimes underlying causes must be corrected as well.  Rehab at the ranch is sometimes just what is needed.

If you have a thirst fo knowledge and in depth information and your appetite is whetted by what we have told you so far, you will want to take advantage of one of our courses on healthy horsekeeping.  We can offer lectures, models, cadaver dissection, live horse trim demonstrations, and discussions.  You wil learn about safe handling of horses, basic anatomy and physiology of the hoof, tool selection and use, nutrition, and the importance of the horse's environment.  All of these topics are available for small or large groups, formally or informally, and in various locations.  We will meet your needs.  Ask about our programs and start learning today!

It is always my hope that you can plan ahead and keep your horse healthy.  But I meet a lot of folks and horses when they are in crisis - they don't know what to do or where to turn. I am prepared to help with such situations as

• founder
• navicular syndrome
• thrush
• abscesses
• ring bone
• mystery lameness
• deformities

I am happy to offer advice on activity, nutrition, natural supplements, herbals and the like - all with the ultimate goal of geting your horse to a healthier place.  If necessary, we can move your horse to the ranch for rehab.  When required, I will work with your vet.  I will work with you to the best of my ability to get a good outcome.  I have done so when most would have bet against it.  Check out the testimonials and tributes page and see if any of the stories sound familiar!

Pete Ramey  Clinic (also Dr. Bowker clinic) in Toronto - October 2007.   Visit www.hoofrehab.com