The wild horse hoof is a model of health and soundness, but we cannot force that shape onto our domestic horses.  It is a result of their life and their reality.  However far away from healthy hoof form your horse may be, is proportionate to how far out of balance their lives became.

Natural (nach'er-el) adj. 1. Present in or produced by nature.  2. Of, relating to, or

concerning nature.  3.  Conforming to the usual or ordinary course of nature.  4a.

Not acquired, inherent.  4b.  Having a particular character by nature.  5. Characterized

by spontaneity and freedom from artificiality, affectation or inhibitions.

Wild horses shape their hooves by traveling an average of 15-20 miles a day over rugged terrain.

They vary somewhat horse to horse, but all have the same general characteristics (click on each

item to read more about it):

• relatively low heels
• relatively short toes
• dense digital cushions
• thick, rolled walls ("mustang roll")
• relatively short bars that end about midway down the frog
• relatively wide, robust frogs
• tight white lines
• strong, concave soles

Each of these forms have a specific function, and wild horses do not suffer from many of the common

domestic horse hoof maladies - such as navicular, contraction, shelly feet, cracks, flare, etc. 

In addition to their diets, the excellent circulation in their feet and their near-constant movement

helps them ward off laminitis and founder.  We have so much to learn from them!

With the natural trim, you are helping to mimic nature with a frequent trim (around 5 weeks) which

respects the internal structures and mechanism of the hoof.  You are allowing your horse to develop the

amazing healthy and natural hoof it was born to have. 

Home      Hoof care    Nutrition    Photos    Services     Links      About me