Chris Minick

Farrier Art offers full service equine podiatry, not just barefoot trimming. 47% of the horses I service are trimmed. However, I have the skill to provide more foot protection and mitigate lameness problems by applying shoes meant to solve lameness issues. Some horses get by well without shoes--depending on how fast their feet grow, how abrasive and rocky the ground is, and how often they are ridden. I recognize that all horses have individual hoof care needs based on conformation, breed, age, gaits, athletic demands, and shoeing restrictions for show horses.

I highly recommend that you do not use a so-called "barefoot trimmer", especially if they have only taken a course by Dr. Hiltrud Strasser, a German veterinarian. Henry Heymering, an AFA Certified Journeyman Farrier, has written an article in the Anvil Magazine, The Strasser Method Trim Considered, with which I greatly concur.

Some horses can go barefoot, and some horses can't, and it's that simple. Anyone who tells you different either does not have the skill to distinguish when trimming alone is not in the best interests of the horse, is most likely completely ignorant of the many proven ways to enhance horses' wellbeing, or they have never bothered to seek training at an established and reputable farrier school. In other words, they don't even know how much they don't know about maintaining soundness in horses.