barefoot trimming help!!!

[michelle c]

hi i was just on the ee forum explaining that my mare was footie due to (what i think) is having her front shoes off, and they asked me if she had a pasture trim!!!!! :eek: what the hell is that!!!! :eek: i havnt got a reply yet so was wondering if you guys knew what one was!!!! also what confused me was when they asked me if a barefoot trimmer done my horses feet and something about wearing boots....................... i thought all farriers could do shoes and trimming!!!! :eek:
im very confused and in need of help any one? drummers mum?

[KarinUS]

a pasture trim means that the horse is simply unshod. The trim is very alike the trim a farrier would do to set a shoe- only that no shoe is applied.
The hoof is straight at the bottom.
A barefoot trim generally is a bit curved at the Quarters. Special attention is given to the toe (depending on trim there could be a mustang roll etc.)

[Drummers mum]

He he, don't look at me! lol!

KarinUs is right although the explanation could take up about 6 pages! Do a search for barefoot on the net and you will get lots of info. There are a couple of particular sights that are very good but a glass of red and a long day at work have blanked my mind! Any help anyone?

I use a farrier and we seem (cross fingers) to be getting on ok. My nearest Trimmer is a long way off and the cost was a bit much for me at the moment so we are seeing how things go!

The people on EE are really friendly so don't feel afraid to ask them any questions, they are a really knowledgable bunch!

[MelanieD]

Pasture trim is a trim that farriers do when a horse has shoes off usually because it isn't going to be working for a while. The exact trim varies a lot between farriers but some will trim the sole or trim too short which would explain why she's footy. A barefoot trimmer would do things a bit differently and wouldn't trim sole, and the trim is designed for working horses not as a make do until the shoes are back on. If your horse has been in shoes for a while then she might just be sore because her feet have worn down quickly, they should grow and the problem fix itself in a while. If you want to keep her barefoot rather than just keeping the shoes off for a while 'cos she's not working then it'd be worth looking into a barefoot trimmer as they can give lots of good advice on how to condition the feet to get them to adapt to being without shoes and the trim is different to a pasture trim from a farrier and have heard of a lot of people who can keep their horses barefoot wiht a barefoot trim when they had failed with a farrier trim. Boots are a good alternative to shoes to use between having shoes taken off and the feet adapting to being without shoes again. Have a look in catalogues for old macs/ boa boots/ easy boot epics they are the most popular ones.

[Pink's lady]

Ok, now I'M a little worried. Pink has NEVER been shod. She's a heavy cob with ridiculosly large feet :rolleyes: The largest boot made is 3cm too narrow :rolleyes:

Anyways, she's always be trimmed by the farrier who does nothing other than pinch off the slight flare on the inside wall (front feet only) and rasp the edges smooth. He never does anything to the back feet other than pick them up and say they're fine. :rolleyes: She's never been sore but if on really stony ground will search out the grass verge. She's more than capable of jogging on the stoney gravel is she feels like it though :rolleyes:

Her feet are hard with huge frogs, crack-free and level BUT they're noticably wider on the inner side, esp if she due a trim and they flare quite a bit. Should i worry about the lack of symatry? Her back feet are perfectly symetrical through the frog.

I know a lot about the internal mechanics of the hoof, but little about the trimming. And I've never even heard of a barefoot trimmer in my area.

[Drummers mum]

It sounds like you are very lucky to have such an understanding farrier!

I'm not sure about the front foot symetry, it could just be that her feet grow quicker on that side or she wears them differently but it could be down to foot ballance!

Someone else might answer better! :o

[No_Angel]

I think youd have to get some pictures up to show us :)

But ive never had my little one shod, and shes always had a farrier trim (although come to think about it I think he teaches the barefoot trim as standard to his apprentices) But Susie has never had a problem, no cracks, no flaring and she can tackle any surface with ease, id say if she wasnt lame or showing any signs of discomfort then she will be likely to sort her own feet out.

[dlace]

Hi
Have a look at www.hoofrehab.com and www.ironfreehoof.com, there is also a UK barefoot website where you can contact a trimmer or post photos for help www.barefoothorses.co.uk

[Bay Mare]

I used to have a 'pasture' or 'farrier' trim on Saffs' backs. Since having the front shoes off she's been having a 'barefoot' trim by a KC La Pierre EP. Although I'm not terribly knowledgeable on barefoot yet I can see a big difference in her feet. The farrier had rounded the backs off so that they were more like fronts. Since having a barefoot trim her feet are much, much better. My trainer has also commented that she's moving much better since the shoes have been off and she's been having a different trim :)

The guys on EE will answer you and will give you much better explanations than me though :)

[Pinkstergirl]

My TB mare is currently going through the transition period (since June). I, too, use a KC La Pierre EP and he's fabulous!! The website is www.equinepodiatry.net which may be of help to you.

I would never let a farrier near my horse's feet again!

[michelle c]

thanx everyone. i am going up tomorrow to see her and see how she copes on the hard serfice, fingers crossed!!! does it cost much for a 'barefoot trimmer' and is there any anywhere near middlesbrough!! :D

[danielle:>]

Ermm, what is the ee forum????? :o

[MelanieD]

www.enlightenedequitation.com/members/forums/index.php

There's a barefoot bit on there. Good place to ask about trimmers as there are quite a few on there and the person who coordinates UK EPs is one there.

It's about £40 for an EP to trim.

[hollie]

michelle how much are you selling your parelli pack for and is the halter included??

[michelle c]

meg is now sound :rolleyes: i think it was because she has had front shoes on for a few years. i cant afford a barefoot trimmer but my farrier does a good job any way!!!!!! :)

hi holly i am selling the parelli level one pack for £65 inc p+p and it does not include the halter sorry!!!