Choosing a Competent Barefoot Trimmer

So you've decided you're ready to take your horse(s) barefoot. That's fabulous news! I applaud your decision. Now for the hard part -- finding a trimmer in your area who knows what they're doing.

1. First of all, keep in mind that there are a number of different barefoot philosophies; some are based on theory, some are based on guesses, others are based on scientific research. If barefoot makes sense to you, but you have not read enough to have an opinion about the type of trimming, I implore you to educate yourself. Ask which philosophies your potential trimmer has studied (the more, the better!), and which technique the trimmer is currently using. If they say "Strasser" and you have already decided you believe the Strasser trim is much too invasive (it is, trust me!) then move along. Even if you are DESPERATE to find a trimmer in your area, and feel you are running out of options, do NOT allow someone to trim your horse if they are doing a trim you don't think is appropriate.

This is the voice of experience speaking -- when I first decided barefoot had to be better, I was by no means ready to trim my own horses, but the only trimmer I could find was indeed a Strasser follower. She carved the living daylights out of my horses' feet. They could barely walk on hard ground...it took 6 months for them to be remotely comfortable, and I only let her trim them twice!!!! She never even mentioned the use of hoofboots. This was NOT necessary -- one of these horses was barefoot from birth, one was a 5 yr old who had worn shoes for 3 years, but outside of poor horn quality had no pathologies, and the third was an older horse with navicular changes; I could understand the navicular horse being uncomfortable, because he was already, but all 3 were downright miserable.

2. Make sure your trimmer has considerable experience! This one may seem obvious, but it is so, so important. And I mean BAREFOOT TRIMMING experience, not just equine experience, not farrier experience, not a vague familiarity with the research, not experience running his/her mouth off. Does the trimmer maintain his/her own herd barefoot? If not, then move on! Let him/her practice on someone else's horse! Find out how many horses the trimmer has transitioned, and what types of pathologies -- and when I talk about transitioning, I mean shoes pulled and feet maintained/rehabbed over the course of 8 months to a year. Ask for case study photos, and ask for references (long-term satisfied trim clients). Anyone can find a barefoot trimming guide on the internet and set off on their own, but it takes experience to know how to use the information effectively.

I personally know an individual who attended a single lecture in November 2007 (she was not even remotely familiar with the research or the technique prior to this, and this was not even a trimming clinic!), and then proceeded to book trim clients. This "trimmer" still hires a farrier to shoe all but a few of her own horses...when I asked why, she told me she didn't feel ready to pull their shoes -- she was afraid she didn't understand enough -- but here she was offering to use other people's horses to learn the ropes!!!!

3. Find out the trimming frequency the trimmer would like to implement. Unlike traditional hoof care providers, professional barefoot trimmers must be dedicated enough to monitor and re-evaluate your horse's feet much more frequently than every 6 to 8 weeks. Anything longer than 4 weeks absolutely defeats the goal of the barefoot trim, which seeks to emulate the constant wear the horse's hoof is designed to optimally function with. Every 7 to 10 days is often the best way to transition a horse; this way you avoid a sort of two steps forward, one step back situation, where flares, high heels, contraction, chipping, cracks etc. are much more difficult to grow out.

4. Don't be afraid to ask questions. A competent trimmer will be able to answer them; I will not only answer them, but I also like to provide my clients with literature pertinent to their particular horse's feet, the better to intercept any barefoot criticism they may encounter.

There is currently no national governing body for barefoot hoof trimmers, although there are a number of certifications available. The problem with the certifications is that they are self-governed...although the same can be said of the American Farrier's Association. Your very best bet is to educate yourself on the topic, and find a trimmer that can show you results...live, livin' breathin' hard-working barefoot horses!