"Natural" the meaning of the word.
Truely "natural" in the sense of how a wild horse lives is impossible once we bring a horse under domestication, keep them behind fences, feed hay and cultivated grains, place a saddle and rider on their back, and train them, and train them, and train them.
In "natural" horse-keeping, we strive to maintain our horses, at least in their leisure time, in the most natural and comfortable ways we can, but we cannot let "natural" become neglectful.
In nature, if a surface bothered a horse, he would avoid walking on it. In domestication, we have traditionally applied a steel shoe with nails, limiting the natural hoof mechanism, allowing no natural wear, or necessary sole pressure. We have suspended our horses by their hoof walls in the hopes of keeping them sound, and doing what we thought was best. In "natural" hoof care, we realize that even if a horse requires hoof protection for what we ask him to do, it is not best practiced by nailing steel plates to the hoof, but rather, applying a hoof boot, and removing it after it is needed, and keeping the hoof constantly trimmed and perpetually balanced.
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| NATURAL LIVING FOR YOUR HORSE |
Less Natural Living
1) shod with steel plates and nails
2) high heels, un-natural angles
3) trimming feet only when overgrown and unbalanced
4) trimming to human standards of ideal
5) stalled, with limited turn out
6) turn out on soft, lush pastures
7) sweet feeds and prepared rations
8) red salt lick
9) clipping winter coat
10) every-other month worming with chemicals
11) excessive use of riding arena for repetitive, dull, and boring exercise
12) unbalanced riding, harsh bits, tie downs, ill fitting saddles, etc.
| More Natural Living
1) unshod-using hoof boots when protection is needed
2) low heels, natural angles
3) keeping feet perpetually balanced with frequent trims (4-6 weeks)
4) trimming to wild horse model
5) turn out 24-7 (with good shelter) and limited stall time
6) turn out on sparse, rocky pasture/paddocks, fed hay when needed, grazing muzzles during lush growth
7) no sweet feed. natural grains such as oats and PLAIN beet pulp when needed
8) natural, free-choice, loose minerals (no molasses or senthetic vitamins or minerals)
9) letting winter coat grow
10) alternatives to frequent worming
-fecal counts to determine if worming is necessary, and what type of worm to control
-using more natural, environmentally friendly wormers such as diatomaceous earth and herbs
-keeping paddocks free of manure and composting manure before using as fertilizer
-using cows and chickens to clean pastures after horses (rotational grazing)
11) getting out on trails between arena sessions, horse and human having fun while riding
12) balanced seat riding, soft hands, comfortable bits and/or headgear, proper training to eliminate need for restrictions such as tie downs, etc. a good, well-fitting saddle, comfortable for both horse and rider
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