Barefoot...? Question for farriers/barefoot trimmers

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letrec_fan

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This isn't about going barefoot but I was researching some stuff about breakover point and what it is and just got really interested in what I was reading. (I don't know anything about this so novice to hoof care generally) The site I came across suggested the books by Jaime Jackson. (barefoot website) These look like they make good reading but I am wondering a few things. Is the research on hoof care still in date as such because these things advance so quickly (one of the reviews suggested it may have started to be a bit out of date)? Is it worth reading for someone who has very little knowledge on hoofcare but wants to learn? Is there any books anyone would suggest that are good/better? The only other problem with the above books is they have to be shipped from America and are quite expensive, even for a used copy.

Also found this book: Feet First: Barefoot Performance and Hoof Rehabilitation after searching the Rockley Farm (?) website. (Having just read the reviews, people have suggested Jaime Jacksons books offer a greater depth of information.)

Above site also suggests Pete Ramey's books. The site is just barefoothorse.com

Thank you. :)
 
Serious study of the hoof, it's function, break-over points, etc, etc, has really only just begun. Until very recently farriers learnt along the lines of 'this is how it's always been done' and every one of them, including barefoot trimmers and traditional farriers had there own pet theories.

If you want to read something try to avoid the American market. Most of the research in the States is funded by companies with vested interests in pushing the product they are trying to sell, so one often ends up reading the part of the study they want you to see.

There is some very good research being done in Australia with the Brumbies but again, everything is still very much in its infancy. Many researchers are now realising that they can't study the hoof and its function without studying the horse's locomotion and conformation - good news for the horse. As the age-old saying goes - "no foot, no horse"!
 
All three of the authors you've mentioned are on the usual reading lists for people interested in learning more about hoof care, and I'm sure you can get the Jackson books from Amazon or similar in the UK (or else borrow a copy from someone here). Even "Ohne Eisen" (not sure what the English tranlation's title is) by Strasser is worth a look, in context. The thing is to read enough to become aware of the different agendas (often subconscious) pursued by various writers, and to learn about the history of the various debates. As classicalfan suggests, much of currently available literature has been written by practical professionals (such as farriers [Jackson began as a farrier, IIRC], vets, etc.) and not by professional researchers. I believe the Brumby research to which classicalfan is referring is that by Brian Hampson et al.; might be worthwhile googling him (he has a website).
 
I am sure you could get the Jamie Jackson, Pete Ramey books second hand. Feet First is written by Uk authors and Nic does the Rockley Farm website.

As for break-over, years ago, before barefoot had been heard of in this country, I asked my farrier why, if a horse with problems was shod with rolled toes, etc., why weren't all horses shod like that in the first place to prevent trouble. He just gave me an odd looke and shrugged his shoulders.

As I once posted here - I don't want a cure for navicular, I want a 100% prevention of navicular.
 
Hi im a hoof geek,:D, we take horses in with sad feet:confused: i think if its the bio-mechanics of breakover etc,
see if you can find any research that Dr Hilary Clayton has done,
apart from that all the books mentioned above are good :)
 
Thanks for the post Pendle. Looked her up on google but the books are very expensive - $50, a little out of my budget! They do look quite complex too and perhaps more designed for students in the field but would be interested to read some of her work if it was cheaper.
 
As with anything equine you cant just look at the feet, if you are interested in breakover then aswel as looking at the foot you need to look at bio-mechanics and conformation, which will take you into anatomy and physiology and then into nutrition ect ect.................not necessarily (sp!!) in that order!!!!! :D

Its an age old adage, the more you learn the less you know!
 
Allover said:
As with anything equine you cant just look at the feet, if you are interested in breakover then aswel as looking at the foot you need to look at bio-mechanics and conformation, which will take you into anatomy and physiology and then into nutrition ect ect.................not necessarily (sp!!) in that order!!!!! :D

Its an age old adage, the more you learn the less you know!
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I was looking at biomechanics uni wise but you have to have physics a level (which I don't have) and I would only be interested if it was related to horses. If I wanted to do that I would have to specialise and then I probably wouldn't have a job, just a really good knowledge of how a horse works! :)
 
Janah said:
Why, oh why. do some people think barefoot means you only trim every four months + or so?

Jane
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It could be the case that that is all that horse needs as all it's work is keeping the hoof trimmed.... you never know.. there's a post here at the mo saying he doesn't hardly ever need trimming.

I see your point though... the average hoof needs regular trimming as not much of the UK provides ample natural terrain... :rolleyes:
 
Tallyho! Ponies in question not in work and their hooves are very overlong and I can't imagine what long term damage is being done.
 
letrec_fan said:
I don't think anyone has suggested the above on this post...
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Hmm I thought I must have missed that too !


Review on Amazon re Feet First below that I also ditto - Sarah took Linas shoes off and was with me through transition- I've changed trimmer over the 5 years to one of her students local to me, but my faith in her remains.

"This book should be required reading for every horse owner, farrier, trimmer vet and yard owner.

Although from the title it looks as though it is a treatise on barefoot horses, it is not. The book gives a clearly written holistic approach to hoof health

It covers both healthy and unhealthy hooves and hoof mechanism, with good line drawings and illustrations. The importance of diet, environment and exercise on maintaining a healthy hoof are explained, as is the fact that trimming or shoeing is only the tip of the hoof health iceberg

The track system for keeping horses is explained with some nice drawings of tracks

The book presents balanced arguments for and against both shoeing and going barefoot with your horse and at the same time accepts that going barefoot is not for every horse owner. Much of the information presented in the book is valid whether your horse is barefoot or shod.

At the end there are numerous references and further reading lists for people who want to delve further into the subjects covered in the book. "
 
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Thank you for your reply Ladylina - I didn't realise you had responded. I think I will start with one of Pete Ramey or Jaime Jacksons books because they are a bit cheaper and apparently a bit more detailed however I think Feet first perhaps presents a more balanced view on shoed vs barefoot so may have to invest later! Thank you.
 
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