Farrier or Barefoot Trimmer: When Does Passion for Horses Cross the Line - Part I

Caring for horses can be a complex and emotional journey, especially when it comes to hoof care. Should you hire a farrier or a barefoot trimmer? As natural horsemanship gains popularity, horse owners frequently find themselves sorting through a flood of opinions and expertise. This blog post explores both care methods and highlights the essential considerations involved, as well as the dangers of dogma in the equine world.

‼️ Disclaimer ‼️ At BHHK, we have the utmost respect for each individuals decision of shoeing or keeping their horses barefoot. This blog post is not intended to discredit or devalue either profession. Our aim is to encourage healthy, thoughtful, horse-centred dialogue and decision-making. Every horse is an individual, and at BHHK, we believe in supporting whatever approach is most appropriate, humane, and beneficial for the horse in front of us.

Our horse Indalo currently barefoot, trotting in liberty - 📸 Elizabeth Ebsworth Photography

Understanding the Roles: Farriers and Barefoot Trimmers

Before diving into the details, let's clarify what farriers and barefoot trimmers actually do:

What is a Farrier?

A farrier is a highly skilled equine professional who specializes in the care of horses' hooves, combining elements of blacksmithing and veterinary knowledge to ensure horses remain sound, healthy, and comfortable in their work or leisure activities.

While often associated with shoeing horses, a farrier's role is much more comprehensive. Their primary responsibility is the trimming and balancing of hooves, and when necessary, the application of shoes. This helps correct or prevent lameness and allows the horse to move as naturally and efficiently as possible.

Farriers work closely with horse owners, trainers, and veterinarians, especially in cases where a horse has orthopaedic issues, conformation challenges, or injuries that require specialized shoeing (known as therapeutic shoeing), which is crucial for maintaining your horse's overall well-being.

The saying "no hoof, no horse” is no exaggeration. A horse’s hooves bear immense weight and pressure, often across varied terrain and demanding activities. Regular farrier visits, typically every 4 to 8 weeks, are essential to:

• Prevent hoof overgrowth and imbalance

• Address cracks, flares, or distortions

• Support performance and soundness

• Mitigate risks of lameness or injury
  

Whether your horse is barefoot or shod, a knowledgeable farrier is a cornerstone of good horse care. Just like dentists or chiropractors for humans, farriers play a crucial role in equine health and longevity.

What is a Barefoot Trimmer?

Conversely, barefoot trimmers focus exclusively on maintaining horses without shoes, using trimming techniques that aim to mimic the natural wear patterns found in wild or feral horses. The goal is to encourage a strong, healthy, and well-functioning hoof that can support the horse across various terrains and workloads, without the need for metal shoes.

Barefoot trimmers are often trained through specific programs in natural hoof care, which emphasise:

• Promoting correct hoof shape and balance

• Encouraging natural shock absorption

• Supporting circulation and healthy growth

• Preventing or addressing hoof pathologies like thrush, laminitis, or navicular syndrome, often through a holistic lens that includes nutrition, movement, and environment
  

Many believe that horses can thrive naturally without them. Supporters of barefoot trimming often cite benefits like improved flexibility and enhanced blood circulation in the hoof. For example, studies show that horses that go barefoot can develop stronger hoof walls over time due to increased ground contact.

Both approaches have their strengths, but what happens when loyalty to one method overshadows the horse's well-being?

When Barefoot Works Well

Going barefoot can be an excellent choice for many horses, especially when:

• The horse has good hoof conformation and strong horn quality

• They live in a natural or varied terrain environment that supports regular, natural wear

• Their workload is light to moderate, or their discipline doesn't demand high-impact performance

• Owners are committed to regular trims, good nutrition, and movement

Many horses thrive barefoot and even improve over time, developing tougher soles, better digital cushion engagement, and overall stronger hooves.

But Barefoot Isn’t for Every Horse

While the barefoot approach has many benefits, it's important to recognise that not every horse can or should be barefoot, at least not all the time or in all conditions. Factors that may make barefoot less suitable include:

• Poor hoof conformation due to genetics, past trauma, or neglect

• Hard, rocky, or abrasive terrain that exceeds the horse's ability to cope barefoot

• High-performance disciplines (e.g., jumping, eventing, or heavy road work) that create significant concussive forces

• Transition difficulties, where removing shoes causes prolonged discomfort or loss of performance

• Underlying issues such as thin soles, chronic lameness, or metabolic disorders

In such cases, working with a farrier who can apply appropriate shoes or hoof protection may be the better option to keep the horse comfortable and sound.

While both professionals offer valid approaches, it’s clear that hoof care isn’t one-size-fits-all.

In Part II, we’ll explore the cultural and emotional influences behind hoof care decisions, and the importance of keeping the horse’s welfare at the heart of the conversation.

Written by: Bhhk's Team,

 Inês Guerreiro