Learning About Barefoot Trimming by Catherine Bell
So you think you want to do a barefoot trimming course.......
Anyone thinking about removing their horses shoes and working their horse "barefoot" will soon find themselves confronted with a mound of information, much of it contradictory. Different trimming methods, different ways of compensating for the environment, different types of hoof-boot and/or padding for the transition period - and so it goes on, not to mention the unavoidable internet-based gossip and "politics". Unfortunately it is rare to be able to take the shoes off and continue as normal - a lot of research, preparation and professional back-up is needed in most cases.
I first became interested in taking my horse barefoot in 2001, at which time the only means of learning how to trim was through the Strasser method. The problems associated with this method - and the subsequent court-cases - continue, but thankfully there are now other, safer opportunites to learn. I was lucky in that I found a fantastic non-Strasser trimmer, Jane Berresford, for my horse and managed to avoid any problems. I have now had over 4 years of riding a sound barefoot horse who had been previously written off by vets as "...sincerely doubt this horse will ever be sound again." And were still doing sponsored rides, mock hunts and the odd competition. But if studying the Strasser theories taught me anything, it was to question and learn from everyone because no one person has all the answers.
With this in mind I jumped at the opportunity to learn from KC La Pierre and Pete Ramey when they visited the UK this year (summer 2006). I had participated in their courses in previous years and, now that I was starting to acquire a few more trimming clients, wanted to revise and consolidate what I had learnt before. Both courses follow very different formats and place emphasis in different places.
Pete Ramey adopts the thinking of Jaime Jackson and the AANHCP, using the wild horse to provide an example of good, working feet which can cope with challenging terrains and lifestyle. He does not (as often misinterpreted) try to impose a wild hoof on a domestic horse. Instead he uses the wild hooves as sources of information from which we can allow each individual horse to develop the best possible feet for him in his environment. Over a two-day course - these are 10-hour days! - Pete teaches the various structures of the foot, how to recognise and care for both healthy and pathological aspects to these structures, how to recognise when hoof-boots are needed and fit them carefully. Diet, environment and conditioning were also prominent features. Pete demonstrated his trim on many horses, some with healthy feet, others with far-from-healthy feet and, while we were not given the opportunity to trim, anyone with some prior trimming experience should be able to apply cautiously what he teaches. On this course there was actually a third day offered to allow people to bring horses and have a trimming lesson from Pete.
KC La Pierre teaches over a longer period (5 days, although I was only there for the first three of them) and to a smaller group. For the first 2 1/2 days we were studying his detailed and elaborate theory. KC takes each structure of the foot and discusses the mechanisms behind its function. He breaks each component down into engineering terms, a concept of which I was initially sceptical but actually found very useful. He then puts the foot back together again, looking at how the whole system works together. On the third day we discussed his "Spectrum of Useability", a very helpful means of assessing the quality of each structure in the foot so as to determine the amount of work it can do at the current stage of its healing. Conditioning and environment also play a big part in this healing process. KC then did a demonstration of his "High Performance Trim" on a cadaver, followed by a dissection - an invaluable way of seeing how the foot fits together. The two days I missed covered horse handling and participant trimming of cadavers and live horses.
I am often asked who I would recommend and I remain seated firmly on the fence. Both courses are excellent (as, no doubt, are the courses run by other practitioners I have not yet studied with) but I have chosen not to complete the qualifications offered by either method. As I said above, I prefer to learn from everyone and question the parts of any method I feel uncomfortable with. I dont intend this article to be used to help people decide between the various methods, although I do offer below some snippets of my personal top pros and cons of each method I have studied to help people know what to look out for.
Pete Ramey: Pro - well-taught with good balance between theory of the structures, environmental concerns and how to apply a safe trim, Con - some of what he teaches makes it sound too easy, especially foundered horses for whom the vast majority of trimmers just dont have the necessary experience. (NB my opinions of Ramey do not apply to the *AANHCP or *UKNHCP, of which I have no experience)
KC La Pierre: Pro - extremely detailed theory which can take your understanding to a much greater level. Con - I dont agree with the removal of flare to the extent which KC teaches and believe it can be detrimental.
Strasser-approved instructor: Pro - her ideas on horse management and living conditions opened my eyes to a whole new world (although I would never apply these ideas to all horses as a matter of course). Con - I would never apply, and have never applied, her trim to a living horse as other methods have taught me how the increased risks of the Strasser method are simply unnecessary. There is no excuse for causing pain or lameness even in the short term.
To conclude I should clarify that none of the practitioners claimed to have taught us enough during these short courses for us to go out and be independent trimmers, either for our own horses or others. We were encouraged to use professional back-up, albeit professionals qualified in one of these barefoot methods rather than a traditional farrier. But for all the faults of short trimming courses such as these, I would counter critics with the question "what is it that drives horse-owners to try taking their horse barefoot, sometimes with insufficient professional help?" The answer I have most commonly heard is not that they want to follow a trend or save money, but that they have been let down in some way by the traditional farriery sciences. Until this problem is addressed then there will be many more horses going barefoot, a few more problems due to trimmer-inexperience and in my opinion, many more "incurable" problems solved.
For anyone wanting to learn more, I have a list of recommended links and resources on my website
http://www.equinemindandbody.co.uk
Copyright Catherine Bell
*AANHCP - American Association of Natural Hoof-Care Practitioners
*UKNHCP - UK Natural Hoof Care Practitioners
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Added on: 15/11/07.
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