So many barefoot/equine podiatry groups - what's the difference?!

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ellerslie83

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I'm looking into the barefoot/no shoes life for my horses, but want to make sure I do the best I can for them with who I choose to look after my feet - but as there are multiple barefoot and equine podiatry organisations, who on earth do I trust?!

I assume the industry like animal behaviourists is unregulated and anyone can do it/give themselves that title ??!

But having seen numerous people with qualifications from the various organisations, which qualifications are actually worth something? I just don't want someone to screw up my horses already naf feet!!!

I got in touch with one person who gave me a comprehensive run down of what they would do, but as am nervous on going without personal recommendation haven't done anything yet.
Then got in touch with another guy and he just said if my farrier was doing ok leave him to it.....which didn't exactly instil confidence....

I'm based in Chesham in Bucks but may be moving nr Marlborough Wiltshire way if anyone knows of people in either place.
 
I've responded to a few enquiries on behalf of my husband (who is a farrier and UKNHCP trimmer but doesn't 'do' computers!) and advised people that if their farrier is supportive and the horse is doing well, there is no need to change. I don't know of any barefoot trimmers who set out to poach customers from farriers - if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
 
There are only two in the UK that are properly qualified and have rigorous training that I know of and that is UKNHCP and EPAUK.

Lucy is one such person in the south, I know of Jayne Hunt in Wiltshire and I would recommend her as she is my trimmer :D

If you go on the UKNHCP or EPAUK website there is a map and list of who is where and what training they have had and then link you to their websites.

Obviously, your farrier may well have barefoot horses on his books and then why not ask him?

It's only a problem if you have unsupportive farriers.
 
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I'm not an expert but I did look into this before taking my horse barefoot. Yes, it is unregulated and anyone can set themselves up as a trimmer. LANTRA produced an interesting report on trimmers in 2008 http://www.lantra.co.uk/Downloads/R...tal-Technician-Summary-Report-(May-2008).aspx

The two main organisations in the UK are the UK Natural Hoof Care Practitioners
http://www.uknhcp.org.uk/ which is loosely based on Pete Ramey's methods and the Equine Podiatry Association UK http://www.epauk.org/ which is based on Keith "KC" La Pierre methods. I would probably be looking to one of them if I had to find a trimmer.

Luckily I was able to stay with my current farrier. If you get on with your current farrier, they are reasonably open-minded and don't have a "this horse can't possibly survive without shoes" attitude and they are prepared to discuss issues / options with you in a sensible manner that takes into account your view and doesn't automatically dismiss things that you have read or discussed with others that might be new to them then it would be worth trying with them first. If your horse is always sore after a trim or you don't seem to be progressing in the right direction you can always think again at that point.
 
It's not that I have a bad relationship with my farrier, I actually feel I get on with him really well and he's a really nice guy, I just that I know I'm moving, so will have to find someone new anyway.

Next time I would like to have someone that specializes in barefoot as I feel when the farrier comes it's always been a case of bish bash bosh and off to the next client without any spending any time looking into their life/diet/movement etc or looking at how they are, as I've got two very different horses with different needs, one has lameness issues and the other has terrible feet with chunks missing and clearly needs some action taken, but I've just been told to wait, with no exercise specified or dietary consideration, he's never even asked me what they eat and I'd like to think that a more holistic approach to their feet may have a positive effect....though maybe I'm being a little too optimistic!!
 
No, that's fair enough reasoning :).

You've got a couple of recommendations to be getting on with.

TBH I'm not as fussed about which school a trimmer trained with, I'm more interested in their reputation and how flexible they are in their approach to each individual horse.
 
There are quite a few organisations in connection with hoof care - each professing itself to offer the best. I include the FRC in this.

As there are both good and bad practioners from each and every one of the organisations the best thing you can do is to get a decent set of recommendations. Nothing woolly either - if I were you I'd ask something of the history behind each and want to see proof of the pudding.

Good practioners may even allow you to watch them work before you commit to using their services.
 
No, not at all.

I feel that hooves have been the single most neglected thing in modern hoofcare. Since I met my many bf friends and bf trimmer, I have been opened up into a whole new world of horsemanship. Perhaps a farrienr near me could have done that, sadly no-one obliged.

Whatever you do, do not not go in blind trusting everyone and anything. Perhaps that is my lesson over the past few years. A veterinary licence means practically nothing if your horse has navicular and laminitis at the same time. A farriers certificate does not qualify you to help a suffering horse.

It is YOU, YOU are the one that is responsible to help your baby through what living with humans means. Sensitive creatures though they are, hardy they are too so just learn to listen. You will be fine :) xx
 
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