Farrier vs Barefoot Trim
The difference between a traditional farrier trim and a barefoot trim.
The difference between a traditional farrier trim and a barefoot trim.
Traditional Farrier Pasture Trim
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Leaves the hoof flat, as if to nail a shoe onto it. Quarters same length as rest of hoof, which can lead to quarter cracks. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rasps the sole at the toe, thinning the sole right below the tip of the pedal bone ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Heels often left high, resulting in internal structures tilting forward ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Often results in horse landing toe first which causes ongoing problems which can lead to navicular ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wall edges are left square and flares normally left intact ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Toe often left too long, resulting in improper breakover and the potential for tendon and ligament damage and mechanical laminitis ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Physiological Barefoot Trim
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scoops the quarters by using the sole as a guiding landmark, allowing for proper hoof mechanism ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leaves the sole in the toe area alone, to maximise protection of the pedal bone ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Heels are trimmed so that pedal bone is 3 to 5 degrees from ground parallel ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Encourages the horse to land correctly, heel-first ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edges of wall bevelled around most of the hoof, supporting hoof integrity and reducing cracks and chips ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Toe is backed up, allowing for correct break-over and alignment of the leg bones - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |