Barefoot trimmer

[littlen]

Would you use one?

Why wouldnt you use one?

What experiences have you had with them?

I am in two minds about using a reccomended barefoot trimmer over my farrier who always does a good job... I suppose im just curious what he thinks of my boys feet as he is sore over hard ground and im wondering if its his trim

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

a properly trained and qualified farrier EVERY time!!! if your farrier does a good job then why change to an unqualified person? Perhaps your pony is footy on hard ground cos of thin soles? a pair of fronts would probably sort this out. not all equines suit the barefoot economy!!

 

[maggiesmum]

Yes, i'd use one providing they could show me some kind of accreditation to either the UKNHCP or AEP and be preferably recommended by word of mouth. There could be other factors ie diet involved which the trimmer would probably be better placed to advise on.

 

[spookypony]

Ditto maggiesmum. Speak to your farrier about the issue, of course---how much are you riding your horse over hard ground? Have his feet had the opportunity to adjust? If you have a recommended barefoot trimmer, you could ask her for an opinion, surely, with no strings attached.

 

[Donkeymad]

Personally, much prefer a farrier. Most of mine have always been unshod and my farrier can easily do a trim to cope with the amounts of work mine do (a lot od work on all terrains).
If others want tos a trimmer, that is up to them, i really don't mind.

 

[Orangehorse]

A barefoot trimmer with recognised qualifications, aas above. Look on the websites for recommended trimmers. IME they do a better trim for work than a farrier and will give lots of advice on the best way to keep horse and diet, etc.

My current farrier is pro barefoot, but my horse's feet looked better when he was trimmed by a barefoot trimmer. (I have returned to putting shoes back on for the summer showing season, although he is farrier trimmed and barefoot in the winter, with boots if necessary).

 

[Naggy]

I would say that there is no harm in getting the trimmer to come out and assess the feet for you - you certainly don't have to get them to trim them if you don't want to. They are often called in for a second opinion. If you do it that way then you are under no obligation to actually have anything done to the feet and then you can make up your own mind about the trimmer after you have spoken to them. Some trimmers are fantastic and some are not so good, as with everything, so I would definately want to see what they had to say and then make up my own mind. They should be able to explain things to you and you should be able to make sense of it (but don't be afraid to ask questions - most of them love the challenge!).

As others have said though, I would check that they are qualified through one of the recognised training bodies - they do vary in style, but at least you know they have had training rather than just decided one day to start trimming horses' hooves!