10/08/2013
Tomas G. Teskey Veterinary Insights
THE PERFECT TRIM:
I'm going to tell you how to trim a horse's hooves, no matter what kind of job the horse has, no matter where the horse lives, no matter what the horse eats. Or at least I'm going to familiarize you with what you'll need to consider to be successful with that. Sound good?
That seemingly impossible claim lies in the following truth: The soundest and highest performing horses in any sport, on any terrain, on any land mass on the planet are the ones that DON'T need their hooves trimmed. These are the horses that don't need you or the farrier to intervene and 'improve' on anything. They are "self-trimming", balancing growth with exfoliation day to day, responding quickly to changes in moisture, mileage and herd dynamics. They are pictures of health, their minds and bodies having been very active to accomplish what they have with their hooves.
If you want to know how to trim your eventing horse or barrel racing mare or your best trail riding gelding, look for examples of horses in your area that do ENOUGH of that kind of work to trim themselves, watch how they move and observe how their hooves are shaped and then apply what you have learned to your own horse that you have high hopes for, leaving at least some material on the hooves to wear off ON ITS OWN. There are many, many lovely and obsessed people that ride their horses enough that their hooves never need trimmed...which is very cool.
Simple. Take some pictures and use your excellent observational skills to learn from horses that are successful on their OWN feet, trimming their own feet while doing what they do. Take that information and compare it to your own horses to see where improvements can be made. Hint: use the internet for pictures.
Visualize a sculpture-over-time. Just as you are learning and growing as an amazing individual human person, chipping away at parts that don't serve you and nurturing and preserving parts of you that do, such is the horse and the hooves at the foundation of that horse. Your horse must count on you to help--it's a big responsibility, but that's OK. Things may not be “pretty” as you are blossoming in to a better and better form, but you’ve got what you’ve got to work with, so let’s do it. TRUST (there’s that word again) that your horse can do this while you as the ignorant one are trying to pay attention and learn something more real and way better...no more band-aids. I can look at a horse with crappy feet and see a few months in to the future, that foundation getting stronger and stronger over time. I can see that because I know what is possible, have a ton of experience doing it, am wildly successful at doing it, and am willing to help you get there. Your job is to do the best you can by showing up with a Willingness to do it and some Trust that it will work. Trust or don’t. Allow me and others familiar with this work to rub those wrinkles out of your forehead, or not. It’s up to you. If you’ve done it one way long enough and want to do it Better, great. This information is not for everyone...it is helpful for every horse.
1. Trim excess hoof material to respectfully nudge those hooves towards a better shape...a shape that you have learned is conducive to the level of performance you are shooting for.
2. Leave material behind, especially on the sole, to wear off on its own. One of the five major functions of the hoof is exfoliation. This process helps "drive" and stimulate the next appropriate growth. Taking everything that is "ready to exfoliate" removes a major function of the hoof, and is harmful and wounding, slowing the horse down instead of moving them towards better form and comfortable function. Do less more frequently to make faster progress. Having to use nippers is an indication you’ve waited too long to trim.
3. Realize that your hand tools are taking the place of the terrain that would normally shape the hooves, and that you are providing this service "for free". Within minutes, you have changed the shape of the horse's foundation, and the horse didn't have to expend more than a few calories to balance on three legs at a time. Therefore no callousing has been imparted, no concussion experienced to stimulate internal structures, no opportunity for the thousands upon thousands of landings and breakovers, little to no physical exertion for the body, less stimulation for the nervous system, vastly diminished volumes of blood that would have passed through the hooves... ...
Can you better appreciate the importance of your job as a trimmer and the responsibility you have not to trim too much?
3. Most horses moving on their own feet even a little bit have areas of wear to recognize and then “complement” with your tools. The hardest horses to trim are those that don’t show the trimmer any beginnings of wear...no “cues” from the horse as to how the hoof “wants to be shaped”. Using these worn areas, finish what the horse has started to do, without over-trimming. Over –trimming is removing hoof material to a degree that doesn’t leave some behind for the horse to wear off on their own.
4. Get some hoof Boots with pad inserts for your horse, whether you think you’ll need them or not. It’s wonderful to be able to go have some FUN with your horse while things are getting better. Many (if not all?) of my clients heal alongside their horses in many ways. If your horse is sore, put the boots on. Boots are honestly protective to hooves, while steel shoes are uniformly damaging.
5. Hoof care from experience is invaluable. Contracting with someone to be on your team to move you and your horses towards health is vital. Most farriers love horses and are willing to help. If they are unsure or hesitant (fearful), this will frustrate all of you. The responsible thing to do is to find help that is experienced, confident and compassionate. Stay focused on where you’re going, not where you’ve been, and find joy and gratitude in the process.
6. I haven’t mentioned angles or measurements or mustang rolls or bar-height or heel depth or balance. It would be a disservice to do so, as each hoof on each horse is different. As you do your research and get more and more familiar with what is beautiful/healthy versus deformed/diseased, you will recognize where your horse is at on that path to health, and along with competent help, you’ll all be happier.
