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

Joe Camp discusses why he and his wife Kathleen took all their horses barefoot.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Horse
• barefoot
• horses
• hoof
• animals
• beautiful
• arabian
• paint
• saddlebred
• quarter
• horse
• care
• love

[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.

[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.

[TheMissBreyer]

I read his book

[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

[Critterlover17]

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

[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

[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]

@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.

[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]

@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.

[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.