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)
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)
Listing of the Harmful Effects of Shoeing
A Little Bit of Barefoot History by Nancy Filbert
The Hoof Help Pages
Help! What does a Healthy Hoof look like?
Help! My horse has an Abscess!
Suite101 articles on hoofcare by Sandy Judy:
Hoofcare Theories of Function
http://horse-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/hoofcare-basics-part-1Barefoot Verses Shod: Function of Blood Flow
http://horse-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/hoofcare-basics-part-2Barefoot Transition From Shoes
http://horse-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/hoofcare-basics-part-3Laminitis and Holistic Treatment for Barefoot Horses
http://horse-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/laminitis-and-holistic-treatment-for-barefoot-horsesHoofcare 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...
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 Horses Hoof by Cynthia Niemela
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)
Choosing your Hoofcare Provider: An Owners 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
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
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 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)
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
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 BarefootPart 1
by Greg Sokoloski, Police Officer
Houston Police Department Mounted UnitBarefoot Program (2005)
City of Houston Police Horses Go BarefootPart
2
by Greg Sokoloski, Police Officer
Houston Police Department Mounted UnitBarefoot 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!
©2000-2020 by The Horse's Hoof. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced by any means whatsoever without the written permission of the publisher and/or authors. The information contained within these webpages is intended for educational purposes only, and not for diagnosing or medicinally prescribing in any way. Readers are cautioned to seek expert advice from a qualified health professional before pursuing any form of treatment on their animals. Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.
The Horse's Hoof Website: Home • Shop at Store
Education: Hoof Care Articles • Horse Care Articles • Bitless Riding • Barefoot
Performance • Barefoot Stories • Hoof
Photo Gallery
Resources: Events • News • Trimmers List • Pioneers • Resources • Links
James & Yvonne Welz: About Us • James Welz Barefoot Hoofcare • Heart to Hoof Horsemanship • Horselovers
Corner • Hoof Corner • Hoof Help Online
The Horse's Hoof
Wishing Welz Equine LLC
P.O. Box 1969 • Queen Creek, AZ 85142 • Phone 623-935-1823 (Leave message anytime.) • Email editor@TheHorsesHoof.com