The art of the barefoot horse

His 'hands-on' three day clinic is designed to teach students the principles of hoof function and health, and equip them with the skills and confidence needed to trim their own horse's feet properly.

"The success of barefoot trimming is not just about knowing what to take off but, more importantly, it's knowing what to leave on," said Dan.

Many equines are well-suited to going barefoot. Factors such as conformation, the level of weight-bearing work and general health obviously all play a part in hoof health, but a sound, healthy unshod horse that copes with its workload does not need shoes to improve its lifestyle.

One school of thought even suggests that metal shoes actually hinder the natural 'pump effect' of the foot, which promotes circulation, and that placing a non-cushioning plate between the horse and the ground removes most of the foot's natural shock absorbing properties, and causes concussion.

A horse will cope with being unshod as long as his feet are trimmed in a manner appropriate to the terrain and workload. It is also thought that in the right circumstances, barefoot management can help prevent laminitis, splints, arthritis, ringbone and navicular syndrome.

For full story see Sussex Horse World in the West Sussex Gazette, February 23