The Horse's Hoof Articles

Click here to read PDF article from Fall Issue 76:
A Positive Reinforcement Rein:
Rule-changer and game-changer for horsemanship?
by Fridtjof Hanson

Read the Editorial from Spring 74:
From the Editor - Should we speak up for the horse?

These articles below represent a wide variety of methods and techniques from all different sources, as well as a wide variety of opinions. For so many more barefoot articles, please subscribe to The Horse's Hoof Magazine (a quarterly publication), and take a look at the The Horse’s Hoof 50th Issue Celebration CD with 50 issues worth of barefoot content.

*Categories*

Beginner Info - Laminitis/Founder - Advanced Info - Trimming Methods - Trimming Techniques - Articles by Author - Events - Misc.

Click here for Natural Horse Care Articles - Click here for Barefoot Success Stories

Click here for our Recommended Reading List for your Barefoot Education!
For more introductory barefoot info, we highly recommend Joe Camp's website thesoulofahorse.com and his books, especially The Soul of a Horse — Life Lessons from the Herd and Horses & Stress – Eliminating the Root Cause of Most Health, Hoof and Behavior Problems.

The Barefoot Paradigm, Why it is high time for Team Barefoot! by Yvonne Welz (THH Issue 42) Click here for The Barefoot Paradigm as .doc file)


A Timeline of the Barefoot Movement by Yvonne Welz from The Horse's Hoof Issue 50
Using the archived files of THH, a detailed outline of barefoot events over this past 15 years is constructed--for the first time ever!
Yvonne writes, "This is NOT a complete history by any means, but just some of the more important points along the way of this past 15 years of the Barefoot Movement. I hope that after reading this document, you now realize just how newly developed the barefoot movement really is. And how we are ALL responsible for making history, at this very moment!"

50th Issue Retrospective from The Horse's Hoof Issue 50
(This is a huge article!! An extensive look back at the barefoot movement from many different points of view!)
by Yvonne Welz and 15 famous barefoot advocates: Dr. Hiltrud Strasser, Dr. Robert Bowker, Dr. Robert Cook, Pete Ramey, Cindy Sullivan, Gretchen Fathauer, Cheryl Henderson, Sabine Kells, Claudia Garner, Greg Sokoloski, Darolyn Butler, Garrett Ford, Carole Herder, Joe Camp, and James Welz

Determining Healthy Hoof Proportions
How to get as close as possible on almost any hoof, using the plexiglass guide as a tool.
by Sabine Kells
Includes the Hoofcare Professional Angle Guide Template (updated) (from THH 63)


Beginner Barefoot Info

Recommended Reading List This is our recommended reading list for those who are new to barefoot horse care. Many of the books are available for purchase at www.TheHorsesHoof.com

For more introductory barefoot info, we highly recommend Joe Camp's website thesoulofahorse.com and his books, especially The Soul of a Horse — Life Lessons from the Herd and Horses & Stress – Eliminating the Root Cause of Most Health, Hoof and Behavior Problems.

Extensive articles for barefoot beginners now available at hoofhelponline.com

Hooves and Nutrition by James & Yvonne Welz (reprint from HorsemanshipMagazine.co.uk April/May 2014)

A Timeline of the Barefoot Movement by Yvonne Welz from The Horse's Hoof Issue 50

The Healthy Hoof by James & Yvonne Welz from THH issue 48 (PDF file)

How to Get Started in Barefoot Hoofcare Step by step guide to get you started. (to be updated soon)

What is Natural Hoofcare? (to be updated soon)

What is a Natural Trim? (to be updated soon)

Help! What does a Healthy Hoof look like? (to be updated soon)

Help! How do I choose a Trimming Method? (to be updated soon)

Help! How do I choose a Natural Hoofcare Professional? (to be updated soon)

Newcomer's info (to be updated soon)

It's Not Just Bare Feet!

What's all the fuss about?

Listing of the Harmful Effects of Shoeing

A Little Bit of Barefoot History by Nancy Filbert

What is Hoof Contraction?

The Hoof Help Pages

Help! What does a Healthy Hoof look like?

Help! My horse has an Abscess!

Help! My horse is in Pain!

Help! My horse has Navicular!

Help! My horse has Laminitis!

Help! My horse has Foundered!

Help! How do I choose a Trimming Method?

Help! How do I choose a Natural Hoofcare Professional?

Suite101 articles on hoofcare by Sandy Judy:

Hoofcare Theories of Function
http://horse-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/hoofcare-basics-part-1

Barefoot Verses Shod: Function of Blood Flow
http://horse-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/hoofcare-basics-part-2

Barefoot Transition From Shoes
http://horse-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/hoofcare-basics-part-3

Laminitis and Holistic Treatment for Barefoot Horses
http://horse-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/laminitis-and-holistic-treatment-for-barefoot-horses

Hoofcare Basics: Bone Alignment
http://horses.suite101.com/article.cfm/hoofcare-basics-bone-alignment

A "Natural" Approach to Navicular Disease by Susan Kauffmann
This article was first published in EQUUS magazine.

Barefoot Transition

Barefoot Transition Article by Marjorie Smith:
http://barefoothorse.com/barefoot_Transition.html

Barefoot Transition From Shoes
http://horse-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/hoofcare-basics-part-3

Can Your Horse Go Barefoot? Reprint from Practical Horseman Magazine, Dec. 2005


Laminitis/Founder

Endocrinopathic Laminitis by Dr. Jaini Clougher, BSc, BVSc
Laminitis is a devastating condition that can wreak havoc with any horse. However, laminitis doesn’t always appear as the classic, rocked-back laminitic stance and bounding digital pulses. Low-grade laminitis can smolder away with symptoms that are often not recognized by the owner. A horse with low-grade laminitis is not only in pain and has compromised performance, it can be tipped over into frank laminitis at any time. Here is a short check-list of causes of laminitis: ...Click here to read the rest of the article...


Advanced Barefoot Info

For more advanced articles, scroll down to Articles by Author

A Timeline of the Barefoot Movement by Yvonne Welz from The Horse's Hoof Issue 50

Highlights from the Tucson Clinics: Pete Ramey, Dr. Robert Bowker, and EasyCare Inc. (2007) by Yvonne Welz, from Issue 26 of The Horse's Hoof Magazine

More Hoof Ideas from Dr. Robert Bowker by Yvonne Welz

Peripheral Loading and the Pad Effect by Yvonne Welz

Theory: Why do We Roll the Wall? by James Welz from THH issue 51 (PDF file)

Trimming the Heels by James Welz from THH issue 32(PDF file)

Order and Chaos in the Horse’s Hoof by Cynthia Niemela

Side Dominance of the Musculo-skeletal System & Hoof Form by Ute Miethe LMT/LAMT from Issue 33 (pdf file)

Biomechanics to a Better Barefoot by Leah Hinnefeld from Issue 31 (pdf file)

Determining Healthy Hoof Proportions
How to get as close as possible on almost any hoof, using the plexiglass guide as a tool.
by Sabine Kells
Includes the Hoofcare Professional Angle Guide Template (updated) (from THH 63)

The Equine Frog Series:

Health and Disease of the Equine Frog, Part One: What Does a Healthy Frog Look Like and Why Does it Matter? by Candace Platz DVM and Heike Bean (THH Issue 38)

Health and Disease of the Equine Frog, Part 2: What Exactly is Frog Disease and What does it look like? by Candace Platz DVM and Heike Bean (THH Issue 39)

Treatment of Disease in the Equine Frog, Part 3 of Health and Disease of the Equine Frog by Candace Platz DVM and Heike Bean (THH Issue 40)

Frog Disease Help: Useful Tools, Close Inspection of the Frog, Successful Treatment by Candace Platz DVM and Heike Bean (THH Issue 40 Online Extras)

Equine Frog Treatment Studies by Candace Platz DVM, Heike Bean and Josephine Trott, PhD (THH Issue 41)


Trimming Methods

Choosing your Hoofcare Provider: An Owner’s Outline for Comparing Strasser Method Trimming to AANHCP Trimming (American Association of Natural Hoof Care Practitioners) by Cynthia Niemela

The Strasser Controversy, A Guide for Newcomers to Barefoot

The Horse's Hoof: A Bridge Across Hoof Care by Yvonne Welz


Trimming Techniques

Our favorite: Hoof Help Online with James & Yvonne Welz
Hoof Help Online

An Introduction to Power Tool Trimming by James Welz, from THH issue 21 (PDF file)

The Horse's Hoof Healthy Trimming Basics, Step by step trimming photos of a monthly maintenance trim on a healthy hoof.

Theory: Why do We Roll the Wall? by James Welz from THH issue 51 (PDF file)

Trimming the Heels by James Welz from THH issue 32(PDF file)

Why Use the Wild Horse Model? by Yvonne Welz

Trimming 1-2-3 Helpful guidelines for trimming, courtesy Dr. Robert Bowker.

Hooves too hard to trim? by Frances Guthrie

Trimming for Concavity/Vertical Toe Height by Frances Guthrie

The Magic of the Mustang Roll by James & Yvonne Welz on Easycare's website: http://www.easycareinc.com/Education/articles/mustang_roll.aspx

Download this barefoot trimming manual, courtesy of Easycare, Inc. and Dr. Tom Teskey:
"Look at those Hooves!" Trim Manual

Look at Those Hooves! Online article

There is also some very good trimming advice on this website, Barefoot for Soundness:
http://www.barefoothorse.com

And lots more on this website, Ironfreehoof:
http://www.ironfreehoof.com

And be sure to read all of Pete Ramey's articles on his website:
http://www.hoofrehab.com


Articles by Author

Dr. Robert Bowker

Understanding the Feral Horse Foot by Robert M. Bowker, VMD, PhD (as published in Issue 1, Fall 2000 of The Horse's Hoof)

Dr. Robert Cook

Educated Owners and Barefoot Horses, An Open Letter to Veterinarians by Dr. W. Robert Cook

Dr. Strasser's Nomination to the American Farrier's Journal Hall of Fame 2002 by Dr. W. Robert Cook

Dr. Strasser's Nomination to the American Farrier's Journal Hall of Fame 2001 by Dr. W. Robert Cook

Jaime Jackson

Timeline of the Natural Hoof Care Movement and its Development in America By Jaime Jackson (as published in Issue 3, Spring 2001 of The Horse's Hoof)

Pete Ramey

Newly Discovered Shock Absorber in the Equine Foot by Pete Ramey (as published in Issue 28 of The Horse's Hoof)

Dr. Hiltrud Strasser

Click here for articles by Dr. Strasser.

Dr. Tomas Teskey

Breaking Traditions: A Veterinary Medical and Ethical Perspective On the Modern Day Usage of Steel Horseshoes by veterinarian Dr. Tomas Teskey.

Bringing the Sparkle Back in to Crystal's Life, a navicular article by veterinarian Dr. Tomas Teskey.

Colorado State University Veterinary Students Attend Hoof Workshop with Dr. Tomas Teskey

James and Yvonne Welz

Our Way of Trimming Heels

Our Way of Trimming the Mustang Roll

Our Recommendations for Hoof Dressings

Our Recommendations for Thrush Treatment

Hooves and Nutrition and the problem we're seeing...

Are Horse Shoes Ever an Option?

An Introduction to Power Tool Trimming by James Welz from THH issue 21 (PDF file)

A Different View of Hoof Mechanism by James Welz from THH issue 27

A Different View of Hoof Mechanism by James Welz from THH issue 27 (PDF file)

Trimming Insights by James Welz from THH issue 28 (PDF file)

Shorten Those Toes! by James & Yvonne Welz from THH issue 29 (PDF file)

Goldilocks & The Three Bars... by James & Yvonne Welz from THH issue 30 (PDF file)

3 Simple Trim Secrets to Better Hooves! by James & Yvonne Welz from THH issue 31 (PDF file)

Trimming the Heels by James Welz from THH issue 32(PDF file)

The Healthy Hoof by James & Yvonne Welz from THH issue 48 (PDF file)

Theory: Why do We Roll the Wall? by James Welz from THH issue 51 (PDF file)


Events Articles

A Timeline of the Barefoot Movement by Yvonne Welz from The Horse's Hoof Issue 50

Highlights from the Tucson Clinics: Pete Ramey, Dr. Robert Bowker, and EasyCare Inc. (2007) by Yvonne Welz, from Issue 26 of The Horse's Hoof Magazine

The Story of The Horse's Hoof Magazine

The Tragic Death of Poetin, a Wake-Up Call to the Horse World

The Changing Face of Hoofcare in the United States

South African Wild Horses (reprint from their local newspaper)

Nancy Filbert's Workshop in North Carolina, February 2004

2003 International Conference for Strasser Hoofcare in Germany

Hoofcare for the New Millennium - Exploring the Strasser Method May 2002 Conference at Tufts University


Misc. Articles

50th Issue Retrospective from The Horse's Hoof Issue 50
(This is a huge article!! An extensive look back at the barefoot movement from many different points of view!)
by Yvonne Welz and 15 famous barefoot advocates: Dr. Hiltrud Strasser, Dr. Robert Bowker, Dr. Robert Cook, Pete Ramey, Cindy Sullivan, Gretchen Fathauer, Cheryl Henderson, Sabine Kells, Claudia Garner, Greg Sokoloski, Darolyn Butler, Garrett Ford, Carole Herder, Joe Camp, and James Welz

Better Horse Care...for Better Horsemanship by Jill Owens

Spreading the Barefoot Word with Joe Camp from THH Issue 28 (pdf file)

Discover the Barefoot Magic with Cynthia & Tony Royal from THH Issue 31 (pdf file)

Organic Horse Care with “Discover The Magic” - Cynthia Royal from THH Issue 32 (pdf file)

Beauty and Dignity by Odette Suter

Horses with Hard Feet by Mike Benack

Phoenix, Hot Spot for Hoof Problem? by Yvonne M. Welz

The Search for Equestrian Truths by Yvonne M. Welz

The Story of Inty, Curing Founder Using the Strasser Method by Yvonne M. Welz

Chiron Riding Article Information about the Chiron jumping method and the forward seat.

A Tribute to Peter Speckmaier and Chiron Riding

ON TALKING-HORSE; Barefoot and bit-free by Dr. W. Robert Cook

A Bitless-Bit for Dressage/High School Riders

My Bitless Story by Yvonne Welz (with updates)

My Bitless Story by Yvonne Welz - PDF file from THH Issue 54
What happens when a dressage rider discovers that... bitless really can work better than a bit?

"Exploring Bitless" by Yvonne Welz - PDF file from THH Issue 58
Tips and recommendations for riding bitless - especially if you are interested in classical schooling with no bit!


Barefoot Success Stories

Spreading the Barefoot Word with Joe Camp from THH Issue 28 (pdf file)

Discover the Barefoot Magic with Cynthia & Tony Royal from THH Issue 31 (pdf file)

Organic Horse Care with “Discover The Magic” - Cynthia Royal from THH Issue 32 (pdf file)

City of Houston Police Horses Go Barefoot—Part 1
by Greg Sokoloski, Police Officer
Houston Police Department Mounted Unit—Barefoot Program (2005)

City of Houston Police Horses Go Barefoot—Part 2
by Greg Sokoloski, Police Officer
Houston Police Department Mounted Unit—Barefoot Program (2005)

Saucy Night Makes UK Racing History by Winning Barefoot
Ysabelle Dean interviews Eamonn Wilmont (2005)

Looking for more Barefoot Success Stories? Click here for our Barefoot Stories page, and read for yourself how horseowners all around the world are creating healthier, happier horses by applying the simple, common sense methods of barefoot hoof and horse care.


The Horse’s Hoof Magazine is a 20 YEAR collection of quarterly magazine issues that focus on barefoot, bitless, better horse care, and compassionate training methods. Each issue is filled with a wide variety of horse care and hoof care articles, covering barefoot trimming methods, health, diet & nutrition, hoof boots & protection, bitless riding and training, science based training methods, equine behavior, inspirational stories, and so much more!!! It’s a way of life!!! Click here for more details: The Horse's Hoof Magazine Issue Contents 1-80 and ALL ACCESS PASS!

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