Why Barefoot Horses? In 3 Minutes or Less with Joe Camp

[TheMissBreyer]

I read his book

[engrose]

My boy is Barefoot he came over from spain with front shoes on & they were whipped straight off. He was foot sore for about 2 months & now is pretty good apart from on sharp stones. His diet helps with his hoof care as well. A well balanced diet is just as important for the maintanice of a good strong hoof. If the hooves are strong you can do 50 mile rides with a barefoot horse. NO HORSE NEEDS TO BE SHOD! 60% diet, the rest is care of the horse and trim! Right balanced Diet, trim = STRONG HOOVES

[engrose]

@engrose Just to update its been 7 months wince i removed my boys shoes from coming over to the UK from spain he can not Trot and canter on flints without any issues! I love my boys feet :D

[11mscanter]

hey joe! i'm an eleven year old girl and i have been reading your book for hmm..... about one month and it is just amazing with the big palomino stallion and your stories about cash. i have not got a horse yet........ but i have been doing lessons for quite some time and my parents think i can have a horse but we need to find the right one have you go any advice for me getting my first horse??????? and how is cash? thankyou

Sarah

[jett888]

I love your book by the way- so fun to hear about how you began your, rather late in life, relationship w/ the horse- love how you encompass and engage in total horse care! Good for you, good for your horses! yeyy!

[LissyCas]

Our farrier is happy for barefeet which is great!

[patslark]

If a horse is trimmed incorrectly it can wear wall faster than it can grow. Conversly, if trimmed correctly, that is not the case. Domestic horses generally have to be shod because they the hooves are not properly trimmed. JMO.

[jett888]

@patslark most "domestic horses" generally don't do the daily mileage as that of the wild horse- so usually the problem of wearing out the foot isn't a problem- MOST domestic horses have no need for shoes but rather more mileage, less rich foot, and allowed freedom of movement. It's the domestication and the lack of knowledge from many horse owners for which the domestic horse (and his feet) suffers. Shoeing only exasperates things.

[SammytheLeo]

Joe, the blood leaves the foot when the load is on and the heels are expanded. See Pollitt's video. You need to have a bigger range of research. Your intent is good but your science needs polish. This coming from a serious barefooter.

[patslark]

@SammytheLeo: Agreed. The hoof isn't exactly a pump, but any advocate of barefoot horses, whatever the science, has my vote and at least people are trying to learn and trying to teach a healthier way of life for the horses.

[randomstables]

If give is truly important, when will they develop a shoe replacement to steel that holds up like steel but gives with the hoof in a more natural way?

[t10111213]

Not bad, 9 unfounded, unreferenced theories about how the hoof capsule functions in less than 60 seconds.

[SuperDangalang]

Your statements on shoes cutting off blood supply are simply not true. Your "thoughts" on how the foot mechanism are simply untrue as well. You should educate yourself on arteries, capilaries, and veins before you go off on nonsence like this.

[vcirclebar]

@SuperDangalang This is an extremely defensive & biased comment. I would challenge that you also consider research.

[rjlittle2]

4 years owning horses and now you're an expert on horse anatomy and hoofcare?

[lizziealan]

I always had my horses shod while competing. Over the last 15 years I have stopped shoeing, and have had increasingly mobile and healthy horses. They now compete barefoot in all disciplines..dressage, show jumping and eventing. They are happy and healthy and few issues with this. If we have periods when use exceedes growth, the use of old macs/boas etc can be a great help.

[elinheartstristin]

horses don't need shoes. thats just like when spoiled brats put clothes and shoes on little dogs. well, atleast it is to me.

[skiptard]

Interlect huh? I'm not sure you are using your interlect. At least you don't know how to spell intellect correctly.

[iderbus]

i have nothing against those who shoe their horses, i state my opinion and leave it at that . It is a personal choice, it is your horse. However shoes are a man made invention, we didnt discover t horses running around with shoes and get the idea from them. Along with the fact that a horse cant "wear out" their foot, yet they can a shoe. A horse is supposed to land and load, and roll off the toe its natural. i say do as you please but educate yourself on both sides before condemning another

[iderbus]

im noticing its the farrier's yelling about barefoot trimming. AND yet if you are willing to learn barefoot trimming wont you still be employed? There is no true data supporting the fact that a shoe protects a horses foot. In reality its like me cutting the sole out of my tennis shoe and walking around on it. Im trying to balance on the outer edges and taking away the whole point of the arch of my foot. By taking away the use of my arch im now restricting the flexing capabilities of my foot.

[cammarkgross]

All of my horses were flat shod

[AFACF]

sir I shoe for a large equine veterinary practice and I have nothing against trimming rather than shoeing. But I think your facts may be eskewed. Can you post a link to the study in which the heart rate of shod horses is different than that of barefoot horses?

[zrx110099]

I can provide thermal imagining that clearly shows their is a problem with circulation from horse shoes-see naturalhorse.co.nz and the natural methods explained pages-science does lie mate

[LisaPelletier]

I have always kept my horses bare foot. I totally believe in the barefoot horse. :) I have never had a problem with lameness or anything of that sort. This is a very informative little clip

[jackandruby10]

I don't understandy why people are so set against barefoot trimming. Yes, it is the natural way a horses hoof should be, and we are asking our horses to do unnatural things. But just because we are asking them to do unnatural things, should we expect them to do those things with metal shoes nailed to their hooves?  In the case of the horses not being able to do as much work being barefoot, it does depend entirely on the horse and the way they are conformed.

[LisaPelletier]

@jackandruby10 It is just like people who nick and dock dogs ears and tails and the tails on saddle breds and draft horses etc. It is for the pleasure of the human. not for the benefit of the animal. Lets face it human beings are selfish creatures. :)

[shaneshaneshoer]

you idiot you said blood works as a shock absorber well it ALL evacuates the foot when it hits the ground NOT AFTER ..shoes have nail holes in different positions where 3 ARE FORWARD OF EXPANSION and ONE behind that line and is commonly left out for said reason. You said horses survived without help like it should be that way well unless you dont wear shoes or go to hospitals you are a hypocrate. if you want a natural horse let it out the gait and run off.......

[zrx110099]

Hey there is no need for agression here mate-cut it out

[saintnugget]

Fantastic explanation! I ask those people that are saying, if it ant broke don't fix it to have a good look at the current horse shoe... then look at a roman horse shoe... not a lot has changed in the past 2000 years. Now look at a human shoe from the romans, and compare to a current athletics shoe... how much more do we know and understand about our own feet? And yet, look at what we're asking our horses to perform in. Don't take it personally, just get with the times!!

[shaneshaneshoer]

@saintnugget WE STILL WEAR SHOES THO. and look at a wheel it will never change neither have sound shoeing principles. fads fade. 3rd time for bearfoot now but fades awayyyyy........

[zrx110099]

Anthromorphism-puting humansitic feelings and behaviours onto animals-Dabgerous-we wear shoes so we think our horses need them-we like nice warm rugs so think our horses need them too. We live in wooden or brick house and make a lot of our horses do the same. The sooner we realise that horses are a wild animal the better for them-plus we don't nail metal shoes on that is detrimental to our physical needs do we?

[morning909]

Shoes do not stop hoof mechanism,

farrier

[alpha2290]

Well there "UaeNaruto@semtech30", I have a few things to say.

1. I don't have a problem with barefoot horses. Some horses need shoes, simple as that.

2. Simply saying I don't know what I'm talking about doesn't make me wrong.

3. I have done my research. I am a farrier, an important part of my job is to be very knowledgeable of the anatomy and blood flow of a horse, especially with respect to shoeing and leaving barefoot. On what do you base your opinion? Any research whatsoever?

[alpha2290]

On a horse's foot, the front half does very little expanding. Most of the opening and closing of the foot comes which pumps the blood comes from the quarters back (the back half of the foot). Good horseshoers rarely nail on the back half of the hoof.

Sure a barefoot trim is natural, but is it always the best thing for the horse? Lions are very natural, but they're not the best thing for the horse. The idea with shoes is not to inhibit natural movement but to protect and enhance it.

[UaeNaruto]

AMAZING

[Catlovertea4]

Why would we want to do anything but what's best and natural for horses?

Too many people don't know what they don't know and too many horses suffer as a result because they are living at the mercy of ignorant owners.

Thank you for helping to educate us. In turn we will expect more and different practices from our farriers. Doing anything less than beneficial to our horses is not only stupid but cruel. Thank you again, Joe!

[semtech30]

I really don't know Joe, whatever makes you think that you need to be on a mission to save horses from being shod is beond me.

I think you mean the blood come's rushing right out of the barefoot hooves when they rip the walls off on the rocks.

I'ver personally witnessed this.

Joe, shoes are great, we've been using them for many years as not to cause any pain or injury when working the horses.

The hooves do flex on the shoe as the wear marks prove it.

I won't barefoot work a horse cruel

[UaeNaruto]

keep your opinions to urself !

[semtech30]

@UaeNaruto

Well thanks for your opinion Commie slug.

Maybe your women are not aloud to speak freely but we are.

I cowboy for 30 years now and have learned by experience exactly what works and what doesn't.

Not a hobby kid, it's been my occupation.

Idle horses are barefoot.

You get on their back your making them your slave.

Better protect the hooves or your gonna have a long walk home.

Live and learn son. Alot comes from good opinions.

I've had about enough of your lip.

[UaeNaruto]

@semtech30 u dont know what ur talking bat, my horse is barefoot and hes 100% fine research then talk scientist research all the time and find new cures for everything, do ur research even if uv been riding for 30 years READ

[semtech30]

@UaeNaruto Scientist research all the time to make money and obtain Govt. grants.

Their about 1,000 years to late.

This video is more about disciminating shoeing principals.

A total mis-understanding by a non shoer.

Horse shoes do not cause damage. Neglegent owners do.

Not all bare foot horses wear their hooves in a perfect profile.

Conformation, climate and environment play a major roll in hoof development.

Nothing is natural once you fence them in your back yard.

[shaneshaneshoer]

@semtech30 well said. and some horses can go without shoes and a FERRIER is highly capable of trimming these horses.

[min54teresa]

All of ours are barefoot now at my choice. I have one mare that grow no heel...owned her for 12 years..no change. She's been shod to keep her off the bulbs which gets sore sometimes.She's on grass ... very short bermuda all year & it's rarely totally dry...spray irrigate.Any input on this low slung heel situation.

Graci mille,

Teri in CA

[AmyRyals]

I agree with the barefoot management program. However, I would love to see someone invent a shoe that is made of a substance that would "give" with the flex-ion of the hoof. This seems to be a reasonable approach to both thoughts. Thus, allowing both types of owners to get the most benefit.

[min54teresa]

@AmyRyals Dang .... I've seen a shoe like this on a You Tube ...but I'll be darned if I can remember where.... Search for it... You'll probably find it too.

[skeetercamp]

Our mission is to have horses live as true to the way they would in the wild as possible. We've received many comments about "using the horse" necessitates shoes which proves our point: if what you're doing with your horse causes the hoof to deteriorate, then please look in the mirror, not to a shoe-er, study the genetics and the physiology of the myriad purposes of the hoof that cannot occur with a nailed on shoe, no matter how well crafted. You decide.

[zrx110099]

You are on the nail with your commenst here-no pun intended -good on you for being openminded enough for this-why isn't everyone thinking like us?

@skeetercamp

[lnc2]

Horseshoes areo not what causes all these problems that you speak of. Poor craftmanship is what causes problems. If horseowners will seek out true craftsman that know equine anatomy and the functions of the hoof capsule, then their problems would cease. I have one question to ask, Why do humans wear shoes if they are so detrimental and cause so much damage? I bet every one of these barefooters have shoes on.

[no4go2]

I won't go into the merrits of barefoot vs shoeing a horse since this is beyond what I know at presnt. However the comparison of human feet does not realy work. if we had a hard nail or hoof like design under our feet we probably would not have developed shoes. I understand your point though and like I said I don't pretend to know enough to realy comment. Our horses go both ways depending on where were using them time of year and such never knew there was a debate on the issue though.

[astrophel94]

of course humans have shoes on... we are NOT horses... but if you want to go with that argument heres my question to you do you nail your shoe on? i bet that you dont.

[min54teresa]

@lnc2 Oh yeah,....then explain to me why we girls wear high heels with open toes.

LOL LOL LOL LOL

But seriously folks, the 'cave men' made themselves a flat sandal made with reeds/grasses or a leather type moccasin,.which also goes for the American Indians; The Romans made themselves leather thongs. I can't explain the Adam & Eve thing. I can say that I wear my high heels for affect, but most of the time I'm in boots or fli-flops. :BUT my husband likes to see me in heels every so often. D

[skeetercamp]

LOL is right, I'm sure hoping that your high heels are not nailed to your feet and that they weigh less than the typical horse shoe and that they don't squeeze off your blood supply.

[Beatlegirl4eva]

Haha, you should wear high heels. Even just for 3 hours. I had to wear them for a dance, and my feet started falling asleep.

They`re deffinately not as heavy as horse shoes though.

[MortishaPoppins]

Wonderful- we humans need to think about the LOGIC of the hoof mechanics and not inhibit it's proper method of function. Great video - please continue to promote the lifestyle for the horse that you advocate and is essential for his well being!

[TheGladcam]

Great to have this for all to form their own opinion s. For me- there is no other way. My vet told me to put my 15 yr ols appy down due to chronic lameness and poor hooves. i went and trained in barefoot method instead and 10 months later I could ride my horse. Not easy- he abscessed and we went through some hard yards-he is now 20 years "young" and competitive in dressage. Lives on rocky patchy ground- mud and all. i wish racehorses got the same trims

[Sheny1234]

the little I have learned about horse care comes down to the same thing anywhere you turn your face. Shoes seem to be great for people. people benefit from Adidas shoes r us not the animal.That's the first thing that came up In thought, how have horses lived so long without shoes In the wild? I guess they were never meant to wear them, that's how! Thanks for your video.

[milksack309]

Well said, Joe. Thanks for posting.

[Cazfaz]

the only ones who win by convincing us that our horses should be shod are the shoe manufacturers we have been victims of miss information for too long, go barefoot trimming all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cazfaz]

fantastic video please keep on promoting barefoot trimming our horses are now barefoot and all much healthier happier than before, tempraments have improved and their hooves are as tough as nails even more than when they wore shoes, conformation has improved they dont land toes first anymore to escape the pain of wearing shoes, can be ridden on any surface it works everybody should be using this method it is cheaper !! happy horses means happy clients thats what its all about.

[Italianiceisnice]

It is beoming increasingly obvious that horseshoes and improper trimming are the reason horses have hoof problems to begin with. Explain to me how a farrier can improve nature's perfection---a naturally trimmed mustang's hoof? What barefoot practiononers do is return the foot to she shape and function it was designed by nature to perform. How can anyone argue that? The only reason shoes were invented in the 1st place was to prevent excessive wear when horses were used exclusively for travel.

[Italianiceisnice]

AND, as a farrier, how can you deny that shoes prevent the hoof from flexing as it was INTENDED to do? This barefoot trend isn't going to "go away"....but you might want to learn another trade if you cannot accept what is apparent; shoes are the root of most lameness. Keep on studying the barefoot movement and you'll begin to believe. Truth always prevails. Domesticated or not, a horse's hoof still must have the natural shape and function to remain HEALTHY. Anything less is detrimental to them

[Italianiceisnice]

Skiptard, I don't mean to belittle your ideas and farrier knowledge or launch a personal attack, it's just that there are many people looking into this whole barefoot thing, and they need to hear ideas from both sides in order to learn what is best for them and their horses. My farrier could not trim "properly" and my horse ended up anscessed and with cellulitis in one leg, then got mast cell tumors from the inflammation! All from overgrown bars, underslung heels & long toe. Expensive lesson!

[rcatheron]

IMHO, I don't understand how anyone could deny the validity of what Joe said. But most of our horses are required to live in soft, lush, green pastures or worse, stalls with a few hours' turnout. The closest we can get to giving these horses a natural habitat is to fence in a "track" with lots of pea gravel, sand, & hard-packed dirt to keep their unshod feet, and thus their bodies, much healthier. Check out Jaime Jackson's "Pasture Paradise", on which Joe bases his own horses' environment.

[skiptard]

Well, most farriers would call it a pasture roll not a wild mustang roll. This domesticated equine are not mustangs. They are different. Barefoot trimmers did not invent this technique. We use it every time we trim a horse. Also, most professional farriers know when it is important to put shoes on a horse and when it is not. Sparks are from Borrum which is a traction device.

[MeasureMe2]

A pasture trim is nothing like the "natural" trim knowledgeable barefoot trimmers use based on the wild horse model.

There is absolutely no difference genetically between a mustang & any of our domestic horses. A foal does not say when it hits the ground, "I'm domesticated" or "I'm wild". They don't know. The difference is in the way we KEEP our horses.

[skiptard]

Did horses survive for 50 million year before us working in the enviroment that they are now. Isn't it worst to think that a horse's hoof would have a natural protection from unnatural working condition. Granted not all horses need to be shod. But horses who are wearing their hoof at a rate faster than it grows, horses that need support or traction need shoes. A horses hoof expands in the back half of the foot. Any farrier worth his sauce knows when shoes are need and allows for expansion.

[skeetercamp]

Our philosophy is to let the horses be horses as much as possible. And, it is not surprising that a farrier would condemn barefoot, but hopefully more will learn that they can make the same amount by simply becoming educated in the wild mustang roll trim. And finally, traction is not achieved by a slippery metal shoe...I experienced this first hand when our paint slid down our driveway one evening before we had the shoes off and sparks were flying everywhere.

[MeasureMe2]

That is a myth that horses wear their hooves faster than they can grow them.

A healthy horse will grow the hoof he needs.

[shaneshaneshoer]

@skiptard like your coment mine was similar lol its true what you said.

[zrx110099]

I think a farrier is a medieval professionl that was what we used to do when humans didn't have the interlect or scientific knowledge that we haveprivvy to know now . A thermal image clearly shows the poor circulation of a horses leg when it is shod. A correct mustang rolled trim and the proper nutrition are the key to great hooves rather than metal shoes. Tracy

[Critterlover17]

@skiptard I've never seen a horse with a correct hoof and moving heel first wear his hoof faster than it grows.

[vivaloriflamme]

I want a man just like Joe! But seriously- good advice. Thanks.

[skeetercamp]

Boots are the answer if your horse is sensitive after trimming. We used Easy Boots on a couple of ours until the foot completely remodeled which takes about 8 months. Totally worth it though!

[BarrelQueen2215]

thats nice to know(:

my horses have always been barefoot,

just cause i never really though shoes would

be necessary. but this vid backs up my hypothesis. thanks for posting(:

-happy trails, kaylee

[4Imsofly]

ya when i was a little kid I used to wonder how wild horses lived without a person to fix every little thing! :) haha now i know

[fourstars09]

Then what do you do when a horse has sensitive hooves?

My quarab mare is having problems walking on any kind of rock/gravel/concrete and I mean TINY p gravel to big rocks that hurt my feet to the road. It all makes her feel a little "off" and I can put her on grass and run her as fast as possible.

[MyCottageHarp]

Well, if she WAS shod, but then you took them off, it will take a while before they toughen up enough. Up to six months I've heard.

My riding teacher has a horse with sensitive hooves, and he is unshod. You just need to make sure that the hooves are clean, but you don't want to pick them out TOO much, because that can make it worse.

[sexcchicky666]

Yea that was the same with my off the track thouroghbred it also depends on how the hooves were trimmed as well cause it can cause bruising. There is something called old mac boots which actually cover the whole hoof which makes it easier for sensitive horses to walk on hard ground

[raphmaster23]

My mom has a 29 year old Arab who has never has shoes on his entire life, the rest of my horses are also barefoot.

[zandeotrails]

Who told you that horses have been around for 50 million years?

[MyCottageHarp]

He was using a figure of speech... DUH!!!!

He just means a long long time.

[MeasureMe2]

The paleontologists?

[007blacksmith]

jst because theres a shoe on the foot it doesnt stop the shock absorbtion in the slightest, from a farriers point of view which goes to alot of top yards and has heard lots of peoples opinions i can say tht yes go barefoot if ur on grass like some of are customers but get a farrier to do it because these barefoot trimmers dont have any training and only know a minimal amount, but remember also tht if u look at show jumpers, they hav shoes nd there top international, so how r they suffering?

[MeasureMe2]

Barefoot trimmers have more hoof knowledge than any farrier out there. And that is because instead of spending 5 out ot the 6 weeks of training learning how to form & nail on a shoe (as farriers do in farrier school). They are spending way more time than that learning the mechanics of the hoof, inside & out.

Joe is correct about shock absorption. If you knew anything about hoof mechanics you would,too.

[artgoat]

Decades of trimming horses has convinced me that the hoof wall is not designed to bear the entire load of the horse's weight as it does with shoes. The load should be distributed across the entire sole, especially the bars and heel, which are in-line with its leg and have the greatest amount of cushion inside the hoof. This is probably why barefoot horses have tougher soles--the weight bearing strengthens them, makes them thicker. Also more open hooves, spreading to carry the load appropriately.

[citiesofgold]

i bet you povvos dont even have purebred horses

[LaRanaTJ]

Educate me citiesofgold - what is a povvo? Now, let me educate you - I compete in Endurance and Dressage with all my horses barefoot. They are solid, sound and far healthier than a shod horse. What do you mean by a purebred horse? Any horse bred from a healthy sire and dam is pure horse. If you refer to horses line bred for specific characteristics of speed, or conformation, at the end of the day they are still also a horse just like any other and quite capable of adapting to barefoot soundness

[skeetercamp]

Cities, please spew your vitriol elsewhere. This is about learning, caring, and making the world a better place. We spend as much on our natural trimmer as we did for farrier until we learned the truth.

[CowgirlAshley22]

Sorry Mr. Camp, Some people just love to express their ignorance. I dont think money is an issue, citties. All I can say is, "Wow."

[citiesofgold]

what a cheapass - he just doesnt want to buy them

[MyCottageHarp]

That's not true! He's right about the barefoot thing-

My riding teacher's horses are ALL unshod, and they have EXTREMELY healthy hooves!!!! Healthier than most shod horses! (And don't try to contradict me on this people, shoes can also lead to small, boxy hooves, hooves have been taking care of themselves for goodness know how long...

how do you think THEY survive?!?!)

[gryphonkeen]

BTW- awesome book...

[JumpinHorses]

YOU'RE AWESOME

[horsexaddiict]

very good video! i agree

but what should you do if you jump your horse considerably high often?

[Hufpflege13]

continued from below:

Nerves require ions in order to fire; once an ion has been used by a nerve due to stimuli the nerve requires another ion, but this now used needs to rebuild. In order to rebuild it requires oxygen and glycogen - this is transported by the blood. Hence no blood flow = very little nerve function

[Hufpflege13]

I am pleased to see that this is moving forward!

There is also to consider the sensory system involved that will be hindered to due shoeing. Nerve-function shuts down due to the lack of blood flow, and the horse is unable to sense the ground.

[stinahumana]

very good video!

[shellyct]

It is wonderful to see someone so passionate about the care of their horses, and to spend so much time and effort to get the word out to the general horse owning public. Kudos to you, Joe!

I'm pleased to report that I nodded my head in agreement through your entire book, and my horses lives are quite parallel to yours. :-) I believe I even have some video showing them romping on their rocky hillside on my Youtube page.

Michelle

[YellowPaintMare]

I am leasing a horse right now but we are planning on buying him in september. When we buy him we are surely going to make the tranistion to barefoot. I just want you to know that you videos are what I learned about barefoot and natural horsemanship from in the first place. You have really changed my horse (Whos name is chance by the way) You are really going to change his life, thankyou.