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Post by mrsfields on Jan 4, 2009 22:22:50 GMT 1
hi,
i would like to keep my rising 5-year-old barefoot, but would really appreciate some pointers as to barefoot hoof care as my previous horses were both shod, and everyone i know around here (in france) has their horses shod and are pro-shoes
i don't know of any barefoot trimmers here, but have a great farrier who trims my horses' feet, but am wondering if anyone knows of any good courses to learn the basics myself as well for more regular upkeep
the riding here is mostly roads and tracks and grass verges... and i'm looking to up his workload slightly in the spring, possibly riding 3 times a week, mostly light hacking for now
i've been using Leovet natural hoofcare products but am open to suggestions re. other natural products!
i would really like some pointers on the best way to take care of his feet, conditioning, dietary, rasping etc.
re. his diet, for the moment, he is on rolled barley, destrier pellets, unmollassed sugarbeet and Alfa-A, and ad-lib hay and salt and mineral licks
any help would be much appreciated!
many thanks!
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Post by horsey123 on Jan 4, 2009 22:47:59 GMT 1
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Post by beany1 on Jan 5, 2009 0:01:36 GMT 1
Hi there! If you take a look at the International Institute of Equine POdiatry website, and click on 5 day courses, and then click on calendar (sorry can't get the link up for some reason), you will see there is going to be a 5 day course in France on March 27th. There is no bookings yet, I can only imagine they have to ensure enough people book - if you e-mail them they are very friendly and will let you know what the plans are  |
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Post by mandal on Jan 5, 2009 9:56:15 GMT 1
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Post by mrsfields on Jan 6, 2009 17:01:41 GMT 1
oh thank you all so much! i will have a good look at these sites then! i saw that International Institute of Equine Podiatry also offer an online course - has anyone here done it and can anyone recommend it? is it possible to learn something like that online?? i have young kids so it would be hard for me to go away to attend the 5-day course if it's far from home... |
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Azrael
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,733
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Post by Azrael on Jan 6, 2009 17:35:19 GMT 1
The online course is all theory stuff, it doesn't teach you how to trim. I don't think its something you can learn online anyway but learning the theory behind it is a big help to being able to learn the actual trimming.
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Post by beany1 on Jan 6, 2009 19:09:05 GMT 1
I am currently doing the online course and its KILLING me! It's so hard....Melanie is right it's mainly theory about foot function. The Institute of Equine Podiatry is almost evnagelical about people understanding the function of each and every structure within the foot, to be able to know what you are doing trimming it - which is right I think.
They do a 3 day course too, primarily for horse owners, which does brush over the theory and teaches the trim on cadavers. I'm hoping to help organise one in the New Forest area at some point - would it be possible for you to come over for 3 days (2 nights?). Otherwise, I'm sure a 3 day in France isn't too far away - Ian Whatley covers Brittany and Laura Redon lives there - is that anywhere near you??
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Post by mandal on Jan 6, 2009 21:14:51 GMT 1
Shame you're not in the UK mrsfields as I'd recommend you get a trimmer...some will teach you to do the basics once the problems (if there are any  ) are under control. Pete Rameys book Making Natural Hoofcare Work for You imo is excellent, I also recommend Jaime Jacksons book The Natural Horse. If you've got the cash Pete Rameys video series is imo great too, it's available from his site (hoofrehab). I've just got KC La Pierres book and video and tbh I am struggling with it a bit but it's early days...Pete Ramey is a great teacher and makes things easy to understand. |
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Post by penny70 on Jan 7, 2009 14:06:45 GMT 1
I know this isn't how most people do barefoot, as most seem to have specialist trimmers, but my Welsh D has the farrier out to trim his feet once every 8 weeks, and has no problems at all. At the moment I'm not riding him, but he was being ridden on and off road for up to 10 hours a week - no supplements, no special hoof stuff... I do realise that he has never been shod and is blessed with amazing feet, unlike many. So I stick with what works, and for £20 a trim every 2 months, I'm not complaining!
Stick with the barefoot thing if you can - good luck.
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