BF Natural Hoof & Horse Health

With Barb Fenwick

I became interested in natural hoof care 7 years ago.

Here is why.

One of my horses, Cherokee, after I sold him to a neighbour, became severely foundered. I discovered this in 2002, four years after I sold him. I bought him back in order to try to help him recover. I consulted with local farriers and vets and after trying to fix his feet with traditional trimming and shoeing for 2 years, it became evident he wasn’t getting any better, in fact he was far worse. He was in constant pain and without any recourse I knew of at that time, he had to be put down in 2004.

Then sadly in late 2004, my horse Spirit foundered. I wasn’t going to let him die an early death too! I had already started to learn how to save him.

I went looking for more education on how and why a horse will founder and to find alternatives to “traditional” hoof care. I researched endlessly, read books, studied and took training. What I have learned IS saving my horse Spirit. If I had gone the traditional route, there is no doubt in my mind Spirit would be buried up on the hill with Cherokee. The fact that he is still alive today is due to strict attention to his diet, exercise and natural hoof care. Now, 7 years later, as a healthy hoof care practitioner I teach natural jhoof care and trimming.

It is a mission of mine and a passion to help other horse owners and their horses. Read my stories about the experiences with founder and my horses Cherokee and Spirit.

What is Natural Hoof Care?

The method is based on extensive scientific and field studies of the mustang horses & other feral horse herds all over the globe by various equine health and hoof care professionals all over the globe. The wild horse travels miles every day on all kinds of terrain without the many issues our modern day domesticated horses feet are prone to. Natural hoof care practitioners strive to replicate the type of hoof form and wear pattern found in wild horses. This allows the horse to grow a hard, naturally strong foot that never needs metal shoes. It is non-invasive, promotes healing, facilitates optimal hoof mechanism and supports the natural gaits. In most cases horses can go barefoot anywhere, anytime. Alternatively hoof boots can be used during the transition period or on extreme terrain.

Some of the well known pioneering professionals in the field are Jaime Jackson, Pete Ramey and Hiltrud Strasser. There are practitioners of each of these methods worldwide. What these professionals and others have learned is being applied around the globe with unfailing success.

In studying how the mustang lives and creates these natural feet we learn the essence of how to recreate this for our domestic horses. Their environment, movement and lifestyle teach us some valuable lessons on how to create and maintain a natural, healthy hoof. Horses living a natural healthy lifestyle will help stimulate the creation of healthy hooves. It’s a complete science that takes into account nutrition, stress levels, environment, exercise and balanced hoof care and trimming.

One on one hoof health lessons by appointment at my Equestrian Centre - Seasons Ranch.

Online trimming advice and general hoof care and health consulting.

Hoof trimming consulting for those trimming their own horses after taking a BF Hoof Health Course is available by sending emails of trim pictures. Fee $40.00 which allows 3 sessions of review on a trim (before, after trim & retrim). General phone/email consulting – phone – per ½ hr on ph, or extensive email reply $25.00 per session.

I am a member of the 100 member team worldwide who support, test, recommend & sell Easyboots for equines.

Visit www.easycareinc.com for more information on the products and use of hoof boots.

Here are some comments from students at my BF Hoof Health seminars & clinics.

Tom Hutchison DVM, MVSc., Diplomate A.C.P.V.,Veterinary Pathologist - “A very good presentation with excellent education, thanks! I sure enjoyed your Hoof Health Seminar and the good, practical information that you provided this past Saturday. I will mention your seminars to friends.”

Michele C. – I find it phenomenal in this day and age that someone would not know anything about laminitis. I’ve only been in horses for 3 years and know more about it than I want to know! You all would be doing yourselves and your horses a favour by taking Barb Fenwick’s hoof care seminar. Even if you don’t agree with the principals of natural hoof care or you never intend to trim a hoof yourself, the information that will be made available to you is priceless. You will learn how a hoof works from the inside out. I go to several seminars of all kinds for horses and take what I want from them, so far this has been the most useful one I’ve attended. That was 3 years ago now, and I am trimming my own hooves, and others and the horses are all sound and happy!

Ashley – Barb Fenwick’s clinics are a great learning experience. Definitely go if you are interested in learning more about founder and other hoof conditions. It’s amazing how much information can be crammed into a 2 day clinic!

Julie – Barb’s hoof care course is the best thing that I have taken, and probably the best investment that I have made for me and my horses. My horse’s feet have never looked so good, and they are sound and happy. It is well worth the time, money and effort.

Charlotte Stein – Awesome clinic, very informative and fun. (Charlotte now trims her own horses and is taking on a few clients to trim as well.) See her info above.

Robert R. – Awesome environment, enjoyable and extremely informative. Would recommend.

Dione P – Great clinic! I now know a little about trimming hooves and with more experience and your help I hope to continue learning and improving.

Marge C – Terrific information, very valuable sessions. Easy to learn from Barb and easy to ask her questions. The cadaver feet helped us trim hooves without being under a horse!

Pam F – Great review and the “hands-on” is so valuable, including the cadaver feet. It was so important to see all the hooves of the horses, good and bad and what to do with trim to care and trim them correctly.