My journey with natural hoof care started in 2005 with Linda Cowles, along with a handful of friends and a handful of sore footed horses.
I come from a world where the mindset is: shoes, x-rays, corrective shoeing, then the diagnosis… “just a bad footed horse” or “Navicular Syndrome”. I was lucky enough to have friends that guided with patience and I too have the mindset to seek beyond what had not been working for many years.
I have learned to have healthy feet on a horse, you must address diet, exercise, living conditions. It personally has been an emotional roller coaster ride for me, as my oldest two horses, who, have had a lifelong issue w/shoeing are my hardest. But they are the ones that keep me humble and striving for more knowledge.
I believe in protection for the hoof when needed, it is what you use for that protection that matters. I am a proponent for boots, casting, and the Epona Shoe.
My horses now live a life of bare. They have turnout, they walk on pea-gravel, road base, sand and clay. Their diet consists of minerals, a pro-biotic and grass/alfalfa hay. I slow feed when one has to be penned up. They do not get that sought after pasture they long for over the fence. I have conceded that the sugar in the grass is no better for them then sugar is for us humans. It is a life style change.