Barefoot - preference as to which type of trimmer.

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Tallulah

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Hi,

Not sure this is the right place to post this, but assume I will be directed otherwise if Im wrong!

I am just interested in why and how, if you have your horse trimmed by someone other than a Farrier, you chose who to work with?

I know that there are various schools of thought regarding the trim but if anyone could give me a quick breakdown as to the main differences it would be appreciated!

Many thanks.
 
umm... me too (hope there will be people who can actually answer the question answering this thread too! :p )

I can sort-of start us off. My friend is seriously looking into it for her horse with navicular. She is probably going to go with either Sarah Braithwaite or one of KC La Pierre's people - equine podiatry I think? Karen Beaumont I think is our local lady. (um... if anyone thinks I should remove the names, let me know, but I'm not slagging any of them off! ;) )

She is looking at one of these two because apart from being in our area, one co-wrote a good book on the subject, and the other is well known, and a fellow livery used her.
 
In the past I have used UKNHCP/AANHCP Trimmers and was very satisfied and I personally like their philosophy. I don't have easy access to a Trimmer atm (In Ireland) but probably would also use an EP (Equine Podiatrist). However, like any professional it is partly down to finding one who suits you and your horses to some extent as well. :)

I hope this doesn't turn into which school is best. ;)
 
Two main schools that started out:

AANHCP - American Association of Natural Horse Care Practises.... founded and still run by Jaime Jackson. Certified Practitioners trained and qualified by the AANHCP are known as barefoot trimmers.

IAEP - Institute of Applied Equine Podiatry... founded and run by KC La Pierre. Trimmers trained and certified with the IAEP are known as Equine Podiatrists

In the UK you also have the UKNHCP which began life affiliated to the AANHCP but is now a stand alone organisation and the EPA which began life affiliated to the IAEP but is now also a stand alone organisation.

You will also hear mentioned (not so much these days) Strasser trimmers and then there are stand alone people who have trained with various trimmers like Dan Guerra and Pete Ramey.

As with anything there are good trimmers and bad trimmers out there - if you want to use a trimmer do your research, chat to them and find out about the organisation they are members of (if they are a member of an organisation you have somewhere to fall back on should anything go wrong).
 
I have a very lovely EP! No preference, just so happened to be the nearest to me :) I have spoken to a UKNHCP trimmer before too and tbh I think there is no difference. They all look at the whole horse and trim according to the horse and offer good advice.
 
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it doesn't really matter which school they belong to what matters is if they have the experience to get your horse barefoot. Therefore before choosing a trimmer I would suggest you decide what you want to achieve with your horse for example hacking around the block or top level endurance riding and then ask for references from your perspective trimmer and follow them up. Visit the referees and see if what the trimmer has achieved with their horses is what you are hoping for. Is the perspective trimmer's way of transitioning the horse what you can cope with and are happy with.
 
I use an AANHCP Barefoot Trimmer. It is very cost effective compared to my farrier. Also I get more than a trim. I get ongoing support, advice and guidance on diet, exercise and routine, plus the trim. I love my trimmer.
 
Thanks for the information and links - I shall have a look.

My horses are already barefoot, and are trimmed by a farrier. But.....I have a 20 year old ( who has never been shod) whose feet seem to have become flatter and longer over the last year or so ( I moved 2 years ago so now have a different farrier). He has always and still is sound but this doesn't 'feel' right to me.
My 18 year old dressage horse went barefoot last summer and has again been doing very well. Therefore the farrier is clearly doing a pretty good job as I have 3 sound horses, but I just have some minor concerns and I would be interested to see if their feet could be even better! But having never worked with a barefoot trimmer I am not sure of which route to go, hence my query, although I am thinking maybe I should have a chat/ consultation with someone else to see / hear other thoughts and ideas on my horses.
 
Quite possibly not the fault of the trim - when feet get flatter/longer it is often due to a problem with the diet. Even if nothing in the horse's diet has changed their metabolisms will alter as they get older meaning they are less able to cope with sugar/starch levels that used to cause them no problems.
 
Thanks - hopefully I have that covered - have always fed very minimal sugar/ rustic diet and even more so since reading the 'Feet first' book. Although I am aware that changes happen gradually as the hoof grows down. Its just he always had such splendid little 'chunky' feet.
 
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