Barehoof Pet Care and Exercise, LLC

23/08/2024

17/08/2024

17/08/2024

We love our new vet!

Introducing Dr. Kaitlyn Ruffin!

Dr. Ruffin is originally from Vero Beach, Florida. She earned a Bachelors Degree in Equine Science at the University of Florida, followed by veterinary school at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Ruffin continued her education by completing a rigorous internship at Piedmont Equine Associates. Her interests include lameness, sports medicine and rehabilitation, show horse medicine, as well as general practice. She has an extensive background in western performance horses and grew up competing in ranch sorting and barrel racing events. When Dr. Ruffin is not working, she enjoys riding her horses, spending time with her husband Ben, and making western jewelry.

Dr. Ruffin is excited to become a part of your team by providing the best care for your horse. To schedule an appointment, please call 1(772)321-1804. Our ambulatory service area includes Lee county and surrounding areas! We cannot wait to meet you and your equine partner!

15/08/2024

Check out chanoahorr’s video.

13/08/2024

"Uns muss klar sein, dass die Pferde dieser Welt nicht geschaffen wurden, um uns Menschen zu dienen. Wir maßen uns das an. Meine Einstellung hat nichts mit Esoterik und Schöngeisterei zu tun, meine Meinung bezieht sich auf Tatsachen.
Die Pferde sind nicht auf dieser Welt, um uns zu dienen.
(...); ich behandle die Pferde so, als seien sie Ladies und Gentlemen.
Ich als Mensch habe mich dem Pferd anzupassen und nicht umgekehrt.
Willst du eine Beziehung zu deinem Pferd aufbauen, musst du dafür sorgen, dass sich das Pferd in deine Obhut begibt. Du darfst diese soziale Verbindung nicht als Macho und dominierendes Element missbrauchen, um das Pferd zu erniedrigen und es so gefügig zu machen. Ich halte daran fest: Pferde sind einfach tolle Wesen, wunderbare Kreaturen, die zu respektieren sind."

02/08/2024

What a difference!

6 months progress for a 10 yr old gelding after pulling shoes and frequent proper trimming to build soft tissue and live sole.

Here’s a brief history from the owner:

“I had a PPE before I bought him and the vet said he was underslung and needed wedges and pads but was sound. So the vet had [ the farrier ] come out and wedge and pad him and almost instantly his front legs would lock up and he was off at every gait. So vet came out and did numerous test only to find nothing wrong and so they adjusted the shoes. Took the pads out but still wedged up and he was still off. They told me he can’t be barefoot because he had too low angles and too thin soles. This went on for 3 months and I said I am done. He was miserable and I couldn’t tell [ why ]. So I knew in my gut it was his shoes. I found you and he was better at most of the gaits from the time you pulled the shoes. Each month I notice an improvement. The vet came out to do his shots and teeth and said he was sound and moving great, but that it wouldn’t last because he can’t grow more sole. He’s full of crap lol.”

The owner has been riding him in boots for about 3 months. She is currently riding him bare foot. He lives on irrigated grass pasture for 12 hours per day and the other 12 hours in a stall with a dirt run. Diet is Bermuda grass hay. We keep him on a 3-4 week trim schedule.

26/07/2024

This beautiful, sweet girl did so good lungeing and driving today at G & L Farms

24/07/2024

Rainy day saddle cleaning and hanging with Daisy Jones

23/07/2024

Shorty enjoyed his bath 🧽 and was thankful for his sheath cleaning 🧼 &lfarms

23/07/2024

Counting Cows with Honey at G & L Farms Horse and Cattle Ranch

17/07/2024

The Houston Mounted Police Patrol Unit has been gaining global attention recently and is being acknowledged as a leader in the natural horse movement.

The Houston Mounted Police Patrol Unit has been gaining global attention recently for its leadership in the natural horse movement. After transitioning to barefoot years ago, the Unit has now also opted to go bitless.

The mounted unit herd was previously managed in a very traditional manner, however, the officers soon realized that they were frequently faced with hoof issues and other ailments that could be attributed to the use of metal shoes. Metal shoes on asphalt create concussive force that travels through the hoof and up the leg of the horse. In 1984, the Swiss Cavalry at the University of Zurich conducted a study on the effects of metal shoeing. The research revealed that the impact force on a shod hoof on hard ground is 10-33 times greater than that of an unshod hoof. The vibration caused by the shoe in the hoof is approximately 800 hz, a level that is high enough to cause damage to living tissue.

The metallic footwear was impeding the natural flexibility of the hoof under pressure, consequently reducing essential blood flow to the hoof and lower limb.

As a result of these challenges, the unit concluded that it was worth trying something different. In 2004, they decided to experiment by allowing one horse to go barefoot. The outcome was extremely positive, leading them to transition their entire herd (40 horses) to barefoot. They observed a significant improvement in the health of their horses, resulting in a 50% reduction in vet bills. Moreover, they noticed enhanced traction on slippery surfaces, contributing to a sense of safety for both the officers and horses during patrols. It is difficult to dispute the benefits of these changes! Furthermore, the force has recently made the decision to transition to Bitless equipment, which has been met with great success.