Kelly1982
Well-Known Member
How much do barefoot trimmers charge? And what is the difference between this and normal trimming?
Barefoot trimming?
- Thread starter Kelly1982
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Tinypony
Well-Known Member
There's 100's of posts on this "interesting" topic 
Might be worth doing a search.
Might be worth doing a search.
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
Trimmer £30 no travel charge
Farrier £25 plus £20 travel
Farrier £25 plus £20 travel
Miss L Toe
Well-Known Member
This last twelve months I have paid £10 for foot trimming, this was by a farrier, involved balancing both front hooves, previously he was self trimming, doing an hour or more on smooth tarmac.
There are no trimmers round here, local contact is 200m away, so would be expensive, he was willing to come, but really...........
The difference, well to be honest when the shoes are removed the hoof should be balanced and frog and sole lightly trimmed, however farriers tend to do the same thing as they would for a horse which is to be shod, which in barefoot eyes is to over-trim by paring sole and frog, and rasping to present with a pair of "perfect" hooves. The farriers "pasture trim" is the same as the barefoot trim but some barefoot trimmers roll the hoof walls a lot more than most farriers.
After weeks or months of barefoot, during which the horse is ridden on tarmac, the shape will adapt to [front] leg conformation or the gait, a trimmer may be needed to balance however he will not normally trim the frog [farriers always take the knife down either side before shoeing]
Over a period of twelve months, with [feeding in most cases] the hoof wall will become stronger, the digital cushion will be developed and the frog will act as nature intended, in my case the pony has been footy on sharp gravel but never has had boots. I just avoid the sharp gravel.
I have a rasp which I use to smooth edges, if he is not getting roadwork he needs rasped every two or three weeks to prevent long toe. Some trimmers advise against more frequent trimming, but once the hoof has developed the "perfect shape for a particular horse", it seem logical to keep it that way by rasping if it is not wearing down on roads.... in the wild a horse would not be confined to one field full of cultivated grass, but would roam the prairies forageing en route.
I have used two farriers since going "on the dark side" as it is known amongst themselves, one goes for perfect feet shape, which takes my boy a few days to recover from, I can just feel his imbalance at walk. The other one is interested in barefoot, and shows me how he balances, the feet are left in a more imperfect shape, which reflects his less than perfect gait.
There are no trimmers round here, local contact is 200m away, so would be expensive, he was willing to come, but really...........
The difference, well to be honest when the shoes are removed the hoof should be balanced and frog and sole lightly trimmed, however farriers tend to do the same thing as they would for a horse which is to be shod, which in barefoot eyes is to over-trim by paring sole and frog, and rasping to present with a pair of "perfect" hooves. The farriers "pasture trim" is the same as the barefoot trim but some barefoot trimmers roll the hoof walls a lot more than most farriers.
After weeks or months of barefoot, during which the horse is ridden on tarmac, the shape will adapt to [front] leg conformation or the gait, a trimmer may be needed to balance however he will not normally trim the frog [farriers always take the knife down either side before shoeing]
Over a period of twelve months, with [feeding in most cases] the hoof wall will become stronger, the digital cushion will be developed and the frog will act as nature intended, in my case the pony has been footy on sharp gravel but never has had boots. I just avoid the sharp gravel.
I have a rasp which I use to smooth edges, if he is not getting roadwork he needs rasped every two or three weeks to prevent long toe. Some trimmers advise against more frequent trimming, but once the hoof has developed the "perfect shape for a particular horse", it seem logical to keep it that way by rasping if it is not wearing down on roads.... in the wild a horse would not be confined to one field full of cultivated grass, but would roam the prairies forageing en route.
I have used two farriers since going "on the dark side" as it is known amongst themselves, one goes for perfect feet shape, which takes my boy a few days to recover from, I can just feel his imbalance at walk. The other one is interested in barefoot, and shows me how he balances, the feet are left in a more imperfect shape, which reflects his less than perfect gait.
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Kelly1982
Well-Known Member
Ok that makes sense but here is my dilemma. My horse is out at pasture at the moment due to sacroilliac disfunction but she also has slight navicular changes in her front left.
The vet has suggested taking her shoes off and barefoot trimming to see if we can get her sound (only 1/10 lame in a circal on hard surface). Im happy to give this a go as raised heels, pads etc just made the problem worse and she is not doing anything now to warrant shoes but I'm really reluctant to change from a qualified farrier.
Im open to most things but this just doesn't sit easy with me. And would rather have my farrier trim her if he can do the job just as well.
My mare never grows much hoof anywhere so farrier is always reluctant to take too much off etc.
Plus she is not going to be doing any road work.
So would I be better off asking him just to take her shoes off and rasps her every few months?
Sorry I have tried reading other posts and to be honest I just get really confused
The vet has suggested taking her shoes off and barefoot trimming to see if we can get her sound (only 1/10 lame in a circal on hard surface). Im happy to give this a go as raised heels, pads etc just made the problem worse and she is not doing anything now to warrant shoes but I'm really reluctant to change from a qualified farrier.
Im open to most things but this just doesn't sit easy with me. And would rather have my farrier trim her if he can do the job just as well.
My mare never grows much hoof anywhere so farrier is always reluctant to take too much off etc.
Plus she is not going to be doing any road work.
So would I be better off asking him just to take her shoes off and rasps her every few months?
Sorry I have tried reading other posts and to be honest I just get really confused
picolenicole
Well-Known Member
I got in touch with 2 and they both cost well over what my farrier charges!! Farrier is £20 where as one trimmer was £35 and the other was £50, both trimmers wanted a call out charge as well. All I really wanted to know was should a frog, bars and sole be trimmed everytime the hoof is, both said they would trim if needed. So the same as my farrier really so sticking with him (had him for three years, was just wondering), also insurance say's they have to be qualified person's.
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
Ask the farrier not to trim the frog or sole.
And you will need to take extra care to watch for any signs of thrush as this makes them sore and they may land toe first to try to avoid it the last thing you want in navicular .
I would if possible lead the horse out on Tarmac regularly as long as the horse is not very sore
This is to encourage wear and to get circulation through to the heel.
That's it as simple as simple as possible.
When you have time one evening get on to the Rockley web site and read about their system of BF for navicular.
If your horse gets sore at first please keep in touch with your vet as this may made the SI worse the last thing you want.
And you will need to take extra care to watch for any signs of thrush as this makes them sore and they may land toe first to try to avoid it the last thing you want in navicular .
I would if possible lead the horse out on Tarmac regularly as long as the horse is not very sore
This is to encourage wear and to get circulation through to the heel.
That's it as simple as simple as possible.
When you have time one evening get on to the Rockley web site and read about their system of BF for navicular.
If your horse gets sore at first please keep in touch with your vet as this may made the SI worse the last thing you want.
Kelly1982
Well-Known Member
Thanks everyone, you have all been really helpful. Think I'm going to stick with my farrier and do what goldenstar suggested
cptrayes
Well-Known Member
Someone give that vet a gold medal !!!!!!
Your farrier should be able to trim your horse fine. Just watch for him trimming forg/sole as neither normally should be trimmed, and if your horse starts to grow wonky feet - let it. The problem it has is sometimes caused by trying to keep a normal, symmetrical foot on the end of a leg which is not straight. Let the horse show you what direction the foot needs to grow in. If you see a big angle change, you'll know that you are heading for a healthier foot. You should see the foot growth speed up, escpecially if you can work the horse. If you don't, you might need to question the mineral balances in your hay/lage/pasture.
Good luck, you have a superb vet.