I'm not against horseSHOERS...just against what they're taught.

Some distinctions that ought to be made...

I spend lots of time reading everything I can dig up on the subject of hoof care. I have no bias in my quest for knowledge -- I devour horseshoeing texts and conventional hoof care information as well as barefoot. I do, however, have a clear bias in what I believe to be healthier for the horse. The more I learn, the more hooves I pull shoes from, the more "pasture trimmed" feet I become familiar with, the more I read -- the more I adamantly believe that the shoeing and trimming techniques used by farriers with conventional horseshoeing educations are detrimental to the health of the horse's hoof.

That does NOT mean that I think anyone who shoes horses for a living is an inherently evil human being. In all fairness, I believe many of them are quite conscientious and apply what they have been taught skillfully. I just believe that what they have been taught is hugely flawed. I certainly don't wish any shoer misfortune; I don't want to steal their business or turn anyone against them. But I cannot in good conscience support how they manage a horse's feet. I do get frustrated that so few of them are open to the new research and ideas that are quietly starting to revolutionize hoofcare. That I find lazy and irresponsible.

Many "barefooters" tiptoe around the issue, careful to never blatantly point a finger at the former farrier or at traditional farriery in general. But I think doing so is a mistake. I think the finger should be pointed, but pointed at the industries that perpetuate shoeing. At the American Farrier's Association, which could at the very least update their certification to include a better standard for barefoot hoofcare, or perhaps even a certification specifically for barefoot hoofcare. At the racing industry, which funds a majority of the research into equine health...seriously...I find it ludicrous that millions of dollars have been spent for improved track surfaces, but we're still nailing aluminum to the feet of million dollar racehorses and watching them suffer catastrophic breakdowns. (Thoroughbreds are not allowed to race without shoes, even though a growing number of trainers are demonstrating how succesfully and soundly horses train barefoot.)

There is no getting around the fact that shoeing horses is a lucrative career for someone with physical strength and minimal education, and no doubt this is exactly what attracts many to the field of farriery. Doug Butler, the author of the textbook used in the curriculum of most horseshoeing schools, also penned a short booklet entitled, "So You Want To Be a Farrier? An Insider's Guide to the Farrier Profession". He prefaces a section on opportunities in horseshoeing with the following rather ironic anecdote:

"There were two young shoe salesmen who went to the frontiers of Africa to merchandise their goods. Each saw the same situation, but each had a different response. After a week, one wired, 'Am returning home. No market for shoes. Everyone goes barefoot.' The other wired back, 'Send two shiploads of shoes immediately! Market unlimited! Everyone goes barefoot!' It all depends on how you look at things!"

Hoof care is health care...does a capitalistic approach have any place in your horse's hoof care program???

I can easily understand the urge to vigorously defend your profession. I can also imagine the fear of being ostracized by your fellow farriers should you dip your toe in the barefoot waters. I've read discussions on farrier forums dripping with disdain for the barefoot movement. They like to contend that they could make even more money if they stopped shoeing...that they could book more clients and boost their income by switching to barefoot. Sure they could...if they trimmed the horse every 6 - 8 weeks, and trimmed the foot as if to prepare it for a shoe. But barefoot requires a higher level of maintenance (I find every 4 weeks is even pushing it with some horses), and a more detailed trim.

I know I personally did not become a barefoot trimmer for the money. Nor was it the best job available to me; I spent a number of years with a fat salary in the life science and internet industries. Barefoot for me, and for many like me, is a passion. I believe in it wholeheartedly, and dream of the day shoeing is a thing of the past. I hope I live to see nailed-on steel and aluminum shoes banned, to see horses run the Kentucky Derby barefoot, to see Olympic equines competing naked hoofed.