before and after... barefoot trim

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CBFan

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I know some might not be interested... if thats you, click away now but I just thought I'd share pics of my 3.5 year old Cleveland bays feet before and after his first trimmer (rather than farrier) trim.

Left fore before:

006-1.jpg


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left fore after:

LF.jpg


LF2.jpg



left hind before:

013-1.jpg


027.jpg


after:

LH.jpg


LH2.jpg



Right hind before:

014-1.jpg


025.jpg


after:

RH.jpg


RH2.jpg


right fore before:

017-2.jpg


020-1.jpg


after:

RF.jpg


RF2.jpg


Apologies for the hay / straw on his soles and the poor lighting and lense flare - lighting was far from ideal.

Anyway, I have to say I was quite impressed with the trimmer. she spent a while asking me about him, our problems, diet etc befor even looking at his feet, which she did in turn before even starting the first one. My boy isn't the easiest - shying at the foot stand before she could do each leg!! and fidgeting like a goodun but she was very patient and was with us for about an hour and a half. she trimmed his bars and generally rasped and tidied up the excess growth all round... paying more atention to the flare on his hinds.. our aim is to give him a little more heel on his fronts as he is very flat footed and apart from a little bit of thrush (as a result of enforced box rest on minimal bedding - grrr!) she seemed quite happy with his feet.

Any thoughts?
 
It doesn't look like she has done anything radically different to the way the farrier has trimmed to me. It is difficult to tell from pictures though, so you may disagree :).

He looks to have nice feet though, which is half the battle :).
 
quirky said:
It doesn't look like she has done anything radically different to the way the farrier has trimmed to me. It is difficult to tell from pictures though, so you may disagree :).

He looks to have nice feet though, which is half the battle :).
Click to expand...

I think at first glance it is easy to make that assumption... but baring in mind farrier is usually with me half an hour at the most and generally just rounds off the toe... I think she has done a better job. I guess time will tell.

He does have very good looking feet on the outside but could do with a bit more concavity of the soles which am trying to sort with diet and trimming...
 
It looks like a tidy job. I also have to say that trimmed seem to pay more attention and time than farriers. Fore feet look better after trim to me.
 
They look lovely! Nice roll, white line tightened up and much better shape overall. One did look at little boxy before and the excess toe to the fronts on before pics :) Can I ask who you had out and what area? I use a podiatrist and farrier (my farrier does a good barefoot trim not just a pasture trim which some but not all do). I find the pdoaitrist extra usefull to go over diet issues and any little trim touches she feels are needed/general advice :)

Did she do condition score etc for you too? Also scrubbing the hooves with milton is good for any touches of thrush :)
 
Toes still look too long - but generally a nice looking foot. Probably charged twice as much as your normal farrier........

Personally, after having a barefoot trimmer for 3 years I wouldn't trust them as far as I could spit!
 
EllenJay said:
Toes still look too long - but generally a nice looking foot. Probably charged twice as much as your normal farrier........

Personally, after having a barefoot trimmer for 3 years I wouldn't trust them as far as I could spit!
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on getting my ruler out would agree with toes lol! What happened with your trimmer? no ciritiscm or anything genuinely interested :) Do think hoof care standards between all those in the profession seems to have too much variance on what is 'correct' both in shod and barefoot cases! Everyone's an expert yet they would all do each others job differently!
 
I don't get it, a barefoot trimmer goes on a weeks course.... a farrier does a 4 year apprenticeship whom is more qualified?? - not convined about the whole barefoot trimming thing what would you call a farrier that just trims instead of shoes?????

Much prefer a farrier that has trained in all aspects and has gone through 4 years of looking at a massive variety of feet!!
 
CBFan said:
I think at first glance it is easy to make that assumption... but baring in mind farrier is usually with me half an hour at the most and generally just rounds off the toe... I think she has done a better job. I guess time will tell.

He does have very good looking feet on the outside but could do with a bit more concavity of the soles which am trying to sort with diet and trimming...
Click to expand...

I must be very lucky, then, as my farrier takes 1 1/2 hours to show my ridden beast and spent 20 trimming my youngster for the first time being firm but fair and understanding. He did far more than round off the toe, I don't understand how a farrier can spend half an hour just doing that? He did a fab job in that time and has shod my older one for 4 years without probs. I trust him to trim the baby's feet well as he trimmed a friend's elderly, barefoot horse for 3 years until she moved away and he was fine on them. I suppose I'm trying to say that not all farriers are numpties and I am very glad I have a good one :D Your horse's feet do look better and I'm glad it works for you, but I'd be worried about using a trimmer who had not done extensive training. Ho much has your done, out of interest? Not having a go, just curious :)
 
37 days study plus homework spread over 2 years VS 4 years and 2 months of full time 1:1 on the job training and 24 weeks at college. This does include slightly more than 6 weeks on the foot and the rest on shoeing. My vet recently said that she trusts the farrier to know more about the hoof, lower limb and gait analysis for hoof problems than she does.

Have always used a farrier and will be sticking with him - it was at his suggestion my horse went barefoot as he believed it would help a back injury and get us back into competitions, and its made the world of difference.

Have seen the pain and suffering caused by SOME barefoot trimmers and could never put my horses through that. By no means are they all bad

OP glad you have found someone who knows what they are doing. That is the important thing!
 
I used a podiatrist a couple of times. she spent FAR to long talking!! The trim took 20-30 mins. And did a ridiculously conservative trim. My farrier did a slightly better job for half the money although still not brilliant. Unfortunately I've had to have my horses shod as my back is completely knacked at the mo and not for the life of my can I put hoof boots on. If my back improves I may go back to barefoot. I'm pleased I have a decent farrier. A lot of the showing in my area is truly shocking and I have actually checked that some of the farriers I've seen at my yard are qualified!!!
 
Hi, Thanks for all the comments.

She did do quite a conservative trim for his first time as we want to make any changes gradually. He also has very flat feet - especially at the front and she was cautious about overdoing it. She has instructed me to take his toe back a little myself every couple of weeks or so in order to keep that in check, which I was having to do anyway the last few trims.

My farrier had a tendency to square off the toe as he roled it, hense his feet were taking on a rather boxy appearance which I wasn't comfortable with, having previously had nice round feet.

ets I also think there is a bit of a missconception of 'barefoot trimmers' or podiatrists due to some of the alternative types of trim that were in fashion a few years ago... like the strasser etc
Yes she spent a lot of time talking but it was all very informative.

She spent a considerable amount of time being mentored as well as gaining her qualification before going it alone so I don't know where this idea of a one week course comes from??! She has first hand experience of her own horse who was written off with navicular and very flat feet making a 180 turn and now being back in full work after having shoes removed, diet adressed and a consistent barefoot trim.

Yes she is more expensive than my farrier but I am having to contribute towards her travel costs as she's from newmarket and I'm in hertfordshire.

I have now started using milton on his thrushy frogs - a tip from her too!

I think those with farriers that do a good barefoot trim are very lucky - not everyone is so!! whether this trimmer will work out any more beneficial than my farrier... time will tell but seeing as my farrier actually sugested I look into a barefoot trimmer, freely admitting he doesn't have much experience of keeping working horses barefoot, I am quite reassured that I have made the right choice.
 
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I am not surprised that you sacked that farrier.
Those toes were far too long.
I wouldn't want a 'trimmer' near my horses' feet but I wouldn't employ that farrier either.
IMO the best aspect of the fashion for 'trimmers' is that owners are learning more about hooves and what they should look like. I do wish owners would take more responsibility for choosing the professionals that they employ to work with their horses on the basis of the quality of their work.
 
My barefoot trimmer is called a farrier, he has trained for years to qualify in this country which has the highest standards of farrier training in the world. He has no worry regarding people wanting their horse to go barefoot, he will trim or fit shoes, whatever you want. He does take exception at people who attend a 3/5 day course, practice on some deceased horses feet & at the end are given some tools & go home to chop away at their horses feet & I feel likewise.

http://www.equinepodiatry.co.uk/#/courses/4533194689

I understand that there are further qualifications that can be obtained, many by way of distance learning packages/dvds etc, but to be honest I fail to see how adequate, comprehensive training can be given by this method. Everyone to their own decision but I will remain with my highly qualified & highly competent, fully trained & experienced farrier.
 
I think the barefoot trimmer was right to trim conservatively on a horse with such long toes before. She's done a nice job, nice rolled edge, tidied-up white line, gradual reshaping.

If you drastically reshape a horse's foot in one go, you're liable to give it a tendon injury. It would be like us going from trainers to high heels.

My farrier spends a lot of time trimming and balancing. He and his lads explain what they do and why, eg bringing the toe breakover point back, shoeing with two-side-clip shoes rather than one toe-clip, etc.
 
quirky said:
It doesn't look like she has done anything radically different to the way the farrier has trimmed to me. It is difficult to tell from pictures though, so you may disagree :).

He looks to have nice feet though, which is half the battle :).
Click to expand...

^^^

Mine look like this - but better (sorry:o) after my farrier has trimmed, balanced and rolled them.....and checked pulses and body scored them.

For £22 each. And a cuppa.:)
 
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CBfan - could you let me have the details of your trimmer.
I am in Herts and after yet another fully qualified farrier made my barefoot horse sore ignoring my direct instructions not to trim the frog I am on the lookout for someone else.

Mine is mainly self trimming and only needs a tidy of the edges from time to time but farriers can't resist getting stuck in there with a knife.

If she has to come a long way it may help if she has other horses in the area.

ETA I like the idea of conservative trim, when mine was still shod, farrier cut back his long toe and it was not an radical trim by any means but left him non weight bearing and on bute and pads on his feet for days.
 
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As I say, if you have a farrier who does a good or better job, I think you're lucky. Despite being in one of the horsiest counties in the country there is a shortage of good farriers. Some, who are good to begin with get complacent too after a time.
 
When we moved to the US, I was shocked at the quality of farriery work here, particularly in the MidWest. Many farriers qualify and are certified after only 6 weeks of classes :eek: And my word it shows!

The barefoot movement here is huge and growing as more and more owners take responsibility for their horses feet and begin to learn what a good healthy foot should look like.

As with farriers, there are good and bad barefoot trimmers and while it's true that some trimmers 'set up shop' after very little training, the good ones mentor with an established trimmer and continue to learn. My trimmer has far more knowledge of anatomy, physiology, horse nutrition etc.. etc.. .than most vets in my area.

Hoof trimming is not rocket science, although the farriers I've met here would like you to think so!:)
 
Really interesting to see, thanks for posting!

Fortunatly our farrier is fab, however have had less than brilliant ones in the past and if they were barefoot then I wouldn't have hesitated to give a trimmer a try.

Our farrier doesn't have the slightest bit of interest in their nutrition and working them to improve their feet, but since I am a nerd I enjoy reading up on it and have recently mineral balanced their diet to help their feet. If that isn't something you enjoy, or if you have a tricky case then why not seek out support in more areas? Being the only barefoot on a livery yard can also be very alienating, so having a pro barefoot pal is a boost anyway!

The 1 weeks training isn't true anyway. Like any profession there are good and bad, so you need to check out training and hopefully get recommendations before trying them, same as a saddler, dentist, back person etc! Surely it is the job that is done which is important rather than the professional title the worker has?
 
nice job and lets face it as long as you and your horse are happy with the results then thats all that matters:)
I am lucky in that my farrier does a very good job trimming my lots feet, always asks how much road work i'm doing with the big girl and will answer any queries i have about their feet, he currently has 2 apprentices with him, one of them is a real newby and was only watching the last time they came.
 
ThePony said:
Our farrier doesn't have the slightest bit of interest in their nutrition and working them to improve their feet, but since I am a nerd I enjoy reading up on it and have recently mineral balanced their diet to help their feet. If that isn't something you enjoy, or if you have a tricky case then why not seek out support in more areas?
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I've done the same to educate myself but it would still be nice to have someone who works with feet every day to give an opinion on how they are looking and if what you are doing is working.
 
my mare 10 weeks without farrier trim

sorry about the after she has lami and cant come out onto concrete

off fore


after with remedial shoes



near fore before shoes


after


 
criso said:
CBfan - could you let me have the details of your trimmer.
I am in Herts and after yet another fully qualified farrier made my barefoot horse sore ignoring my direct instructions not to trim the frog I am on the lookout for someone else.

Mine is mainly self trimming and only needs a tidy of the edges from time to time but farriers can't resist getting stuck in there with a knife.

If she has to come a long way it may help if she has other horses in the area.

ETA I like the idea of conservative trim, when mine was still shod, farrier cut back his long toe and it was not an radical trim by any means but left him non weight bearing and on bute and pads on his feet for days.
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we use jo gimes she is excellent she came yesterday .


shoelesshorse@btinternet.com
she is a barefoot trimmer really good she is based in hants but will travel if you have 2 horses.

I can recommend her . i use her on my bare foot 2 horses
 
Yes this mare has shoes on sorry had a blonde moment ,these were left on 10 weeks because our farrier went awaol and nobody else would do her & her feet were so long and didn't help the lami.



I have a gelding who is barefoot and i use jo grimes for him and my other mare sorry for the confusion.

thats mare i was just showing the difference , i can see it was confusing silly me
.

here is her number she does a complete analyzes on the feet spectrum pictures the lot Jo Grimes, DAEP, Church Crookham, Hants, UK shoelesshorse@btinternet.com
 
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Leviathan... have you ever considered taking your lami mare barefoot? My friend's Andalusian got several bouts of lami last year but was managed well barefoot. since moving to more suitable grazing he has not had lami.

My trimmer is Sarah swallow. She covers east anglia and does different areas in rotation.

as for the comment about being the only barefooter on the yard, yes it can be tough! I have lost count of the number of times I've heard 'so when are you going to have him shod then?' and 'oooh has he lost a shoe?' when seen putting hoofboots on!! (never mind the fact that the three remaining feet are CLEARLY unshod!! lol!

I look around my yard and I cringe at the state of some of the feet! And there is one particular farrier who is always having to come out between shoeings to replace lost shoes on various horses... says something really!! (i.e. just because they have trained for X number of years, doesn't make them any good!!)
 
im lucky my farrier encouraged my mare to go barefoot and she goes great. i cant really make any assumptions on whether or not trimmers are better than farriers as my farrier is excellent and wouldnt go else where:D
 
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