The Barefoot Horse

EasyCare has a new addition to our educational materials, The Barefoot Horse: An Introduction to Barefoot Hoof Care and Hoof Boots by Lucy Nicholas. Lucy is the co-proprietor of Trelawne Equine, the UK distributor for EasyCare Hoof Boots. With 94 color pages, it is an easy read and covers a considerable amount of information including: the history of hoof protection, hoof anatomy, various trimming methods, what to expect while a horse is transitioning out of shoes, and the key components that lead to successful management of a barefoot horse. One thing that sets this book apart from the others on my bookshelf is the detail it goes into regarding hoof boots. It begins by discussing the benefits of hoof boots, then outlines how to choose the right boots for your horse, and concludes by discussing common booting problems and their solutions.

This book is an excellent resource for all owners with barefoot horses as well as those contemplating removing their horse's shoes. I have long believed that barefoot and boots is the way to go but I am careful not to push my opinions on friends with shod horses. Instead, my goal is to be a barefoot ambassador and let the actions of my horse and his ability to thrive barefoot speak louder than my words. Without fail, these friends often begin to get curious about keeping a horse barefoot and when they do I am happy to answer their questions. Over the years I have accumulated several books on the subject and gladly lend them out to anyone interested. I'm thrilled to add The Barefoot Horse to my collection.

From the publisher: "An easy to read book that will enlighten novice and experienced horse owners about keeping a horse barefoot, and the use of hoof boots as a highly successful, healthier and modern alternative to metal shoes. The author, a natural hoof-care exponent, provides straightforward, impartial advice on making the transition from shod to barefoot, and discusses the importance of diet and exercise in the maintenance of healthy hooves. She describes the main different schools of trimming and offers guidance on choosing a hoof-care professional. Barefoot boots are discussed in detail, along with how to choose and fit them. A number of case studies are included and there are helpful notes on troubleshooting."

Natural Hoof Trimming