08/04/2024
The devil always hides in details! Like no other, the Natural Trim is the greatest ally of domestic horses.
Five Overlooked facts about the Natural Trim no one is talking about.
Have you ever wondered why there's so much debate surrounding hoof trimming methods?
Over the last two decades barefoot trimming methods have proliferated worldwide. This emergence was catalyzed by groundbreaking research on wild horse hooves between 1982 and 1986, revolutionizing hoof care practices a decade later. Development of the Natural Trim method presented significant challenges. At the outset there were no tools, or records to guide the systematic mapping of wild horse hooves or document their natural shape.
The U.S. Great Basin wild horse hooves looked nothing like the hooves of domesticated horses. One of Jaime Jackson's initial discoveries was that the bottom of the hoof was not at all flat, challenging conventional notions of hoof balance. This raised questions: How do wild horses skillfully navigate rugged terrain of the U.S. Great Basin without artificial hoof protection? And why is there no lameness present? While conventional thinking suggests that horses absolutely need shoes for protection, Great Basin wild horses prove otherwise, seemingly growing their own natural 'horseshoes.’ How can we harness the principles of soundness observed in the horse's natural habitat? In the following discussion we will point to five key insights about the natural trim and its relevance to domesticated horses going without horseshoes.
1. The Natural Trim method mirrors nature
What does it entail to mirror nature? It means utilizing trimming tools with meticulous care, avoiding any attempt to sculpt or carve the hoof into artificially perfect shapes—a process akin to "cookie cutting." Instead, NHC practitioners employ specialized tools to simulate natural wear, maintaining a balance between wear and growth patterns. Through systematic application of the natural trim, skilled practitioners can prompt the development of natural growth patterns. Over several trimming sessions, this process gradually transforms the hoof capsule. ISNHCP practitioners do not manipulate or shape the hoof; rather, they facilitate the restoration of healthy growth by allowing nature to take its course. Their added responsibility is to know the characteristics of naturally shaped hooves in wild horses and understand how these traits transfer to the hooves of domesticated horses.
2. Consistent trimming guidelines
The Natural Trim method, pioneered by Jaime Jackson, stands out as the sole approach with consistent trimming guidelines. These guidelines serve as the cornerstone of the ISNHCP Natural Trim Training Program, providing students and practitioners with a comprehensive framework known as the Four Guiding Principles of the Natural Trim.
1️⃣ Leave that which should naturally be there:
This principle emphasizes retaining epidermal structures such as the hoof wall, frog plates, bars, and solar plates, each possessing their own form of natural thickness.
2️⃣ Remove only that which is naturally worn away in the wild:
Central to the method is the understanding of what constitutes a naturally shaped hoof, guiding practitioners to exercise restraint and to remove only what is naturally worn away. But knowing what is left over in the wake of natural wear is not possible if the practitioner is not confirmed to Principle #1.
3️⃣ Allow to grow that which should be there naturally but is not due to human meddling:
This principle underscores the importance of allowing the hoof to grow naturally, addressing with patience and forgiveness any infraction caused by misguided human interventions.
4️⃣ Ignore all pathology:
Rather than attempting mechanical fixes for hoof problems stemming from underlying systemic issues, practitioners let pathology resolve naturally over time with patience and appropriate interventions that focus on the causes of pathology than just its symptoms.
Chiselling of the hoof is ordained by nature, but such that meeting the animal’s survival needs equates with optimum health. Adaptive environments reflect the harmony between all facets of life and survival. Indeed, it is safe to assume that we must look beyond the hoof and out into the habitat. Here, we must transform our horses’ Paddocks into Paradise. Yet change comes also with challenging conventional beliefs about trimming while striving for harmony across all facets of equine life.
3. The Natural Trim: A horse's greatest ally against hoof debilitating conditions
The Natural Trim method emerges as the primary solution for addressing debilitating hoof conditions such as dropped soles, thin soles, or P3 penetrating the bottom of the foot, making it a recognized safe and humane trimming method.
Understanding how to address issues like excessive forward hoof growth or hoof wryness distinguishes the practitioner from a trimmer. The latter relies on trim mechanics alone, former is directed by the Four Guiding Principles of the Natural Trim. The Natural Trim can arrest these pathological changes, provided it is supported by the Four Pillars of NHC. Meaning, the application of the Natural Trim must extend beyond hoof care to encompass the broader context of a horse's life. While effective, the method does have limitations, particularly when horses are subjected to unnatural lifestyles or mismanagement. It's crucial to recognize that trimming alone cannot rectify issues stemming from systemic problems that don’t matrix within the hoof.
This revolutionary approach to hoof care still faces resistance from traditional hoof care professionals as well as academic scholars. Nevertheless, the Natural Trim proclaims to be the Number One method for safe and humane hoof care. The ISNHCP is at the forefront, offering comprehensive training rooted in the proven practices and principles of Natural Horse Care developed by Jaime Jackson.
4. Evidence-based trimming method
After four years of extensive study and research of Great Basin wild horses observed in the wild, as well as newly captured mustangs at BLM Corrals, the Natural Trim gradually emerged over time as a product of meticulous observation and analysis. Rooted in the principles of natural science, this method authentically reflects the untouched state of equine health and well-being. Despite the deceptive use of the term 'natural' elsewhere, here it signifies an unadulterated, pristine condition.
The journey towards developing the Natural Trim method was fraught with challenges, often marked by hostility and resistance. There were no learning materials, nor a mentor to pass on the knowledge. The Spirit of the natural horse gifted Jaime Jackson with the ability to look into the natural world of horses, and glean insights directly from the wild horses. Jaime's unwavering dedication, despite facing ridicule, has elevated his legacy, as the Natural Horse Care paradigm continues to reshape the landscape of horse management globally.
The advocacy for evidence-based science finds validation in the pathological changes observed in the hooves of wild mustangs weeks after their removal from their adaptive environment. But we expect this outcome as wild mustangs and their domestic cousins are one and the same species. Releasing horses back into the U.S. Great Basin is restricted beyond the jurisdiction of BLM. Yet, it is precisely here that we must seek evidence, as the research community turns a blind eye to potential solutions for many ailments haunting domesticated horses. As Jaime Jackson aptly asserts, "Science should not say one thing, and the natural world another." Further, the scientific method is predicated on an axiom that we must observe in nature, and not willfully contradict its wisdom. Hence, going into the horse’s natural world with the full force of good science can only open the blind eye to see the light.
5. Results require time, patience and understanding
Learning to trim horses' hooves is not a skill that can be acquired in three days. Just as Rome was not built in a day, the development of the Natural Trim method took considerable time and dedication. The ISNHCP Natural Trim Training Program draws from Jaime Jackson's four decades of experience as a natural hoof care practitioner, complemented by nearly a decade of horseshoeing.
Jaime's profound teaching experience in natural hoof care underscores a painful yet undeniable truth: impatience leads to harm. Rushing the learning process fosters excuses and a craving for instant gratification, a weakness of character exploited by quick-fix, fast track training camps. Promising immediate results without investing the necessary time and effort in mastering the complexities of natural hoof care as a profession is a “con job” by any other name. In the face of changes taking place within the barefoot movement, we advocate for structured training that requires accountability on our part. Confidence without competence lacks authenticity.
The ISNHCP is responsible for training their Practitioners, so they understand how to communicate vital information to and from the Supercorium using the Natural Trim method, acknowledging the biodynamic nature of the hoof and its responsiveness to the environment. Therefore, we approach trimming with diligence, patience, and a deep understanding of the horse's hoof.
IN ESSENCE
Naturally shaped hooves are a by-product of the horse’s lifestyle and habitat, not just the trim. Aided metaphysically by the Spirit of the Natural Horse, the Natural Trim method is a gift of nature to humanity, sustained by the ISNHCP's Vital Mission to advance humane care and management of domesticated horses through the skilled hands of its practitioners. ISNHCP is also a school of thought, where mastering concepts comes with patience in the quest for tangible results.
Our beliefs and principles about the hoof guide our hands and tools. Thus, we give much thought to the process of learning, and letting the hoof work speak for itself.
》》 Jaime Jackson, the founder of the Natural Trim based on the wild horse model, is an expert on natural hoof care. As a former farrier, he has integrated a diverse range of skills garnered from respected professionals to enrich his own portfolio. He is a critical thinker, researcher and an author of many books. His extensive publications incorporate a new terminology that has been popularized in everyday horse care. Jaime has broken ground on the “hoof mechanism” in its applications to barefoot hoof care, invented new tools to track changes in hoof mass across time with pathways leading to improved hoof structure and genuine natural hoof balance without resorting to resections and other forms of invasive trimming. He continues to influence and advocate for the ethical treatment of horses globally and the preservation of the wild, free-roaming horses of the U.S. Great Basin.
Photo credit: Jill Willis
ISNHCP Practitioner and Instructor &
