A Few Recommendations
For starters, some excellent hoof education can be found on Pete Ramey's website as well as in his book, Making Natural Hoof Care Work for You.
I also recommend reading the article from Chrisann Ware on the basics of how to tell if your horse's hooves are causing him or her pain. It is a long article but worth the time.
This next link may shock you coming from a natural horse care site, but check out John Silveira's site, farrieritis. You need to have balanced information when it comes to your horse, and yes, John shoes horses, but take a little time to scout out his site, pictures, and videos for another educated perspective.
An Open Mind And A Couple Of Flat Feet
Do I want to shoe Sage? No. But do I still look everywhere I can for balanced information? Yes. And, if I just couldn't get her feet and body correct by going barefoot, I would at least consider boots or maybe temporarily shoe her in order to have a pain-free horse.
If
you are wondering how I can voice that sentiment, please read the
trials and tribulations of Sage on my
blog in the barefoot
category of posts; we have had quite a journey. When Sage had shoes on for about four months several years ago while in training, she did not have the issues that she has today. She has also been made lame or tender footed by two different barefoot trimmers (as well as a few other regular farriers who trimmed her). That is said not to promote shoeing but instead to reinforce the idea that integrating everything you can for the welfare of your horse, and not giving up until you find someone who trims your horse without leaving her sore, is absolutely vital.
I am probably not completely anti-shoeing because I myself have flat feet and wear orthotics, along with millions of other people. I can see where it is possible that some horses might need a little man-made help themselves. There are, however, boots for horses, so don't rule those out and jump into shoes.
Find Someone and Some Method That Works For Your Horse
There is an old saying "no hoof, no horse". You really can't get around that. Pete Ramey's site (and the websites listed below) has many, many pictures of what a healthy, working hoof might look like - most of us just have never seen that on our own horses. By knowing what the hoof could look like, then you have something - a standard - to compare your own horse's hooves to without having to read multiple books, take courses, get certifications, or blindly follow your current farrier.
However, remember that even if someone trims your horse's hooves to look like some wild horse hoof, if he ends up lame then it was not the right trim for your horse!
I am finally figuring out - after multiple experiences with multiple different farriers - that Sage just cannot walk on her sole. If her wall is trimmed too short, down to the sole, then she ends up being sore until the wall grows out.
Most importantly, find something that works for your horse amongst all the variations of trims out there. Nothing can be called the best method if your horse is frequently sore, so do not be afraid to change trimmers/farriers when needed.
Feed That Hoof Well
One final note: your horse absolutely must have good digestion, and you must feed the horse - and thus the hoof -correctly. Otherwise, all the balancing and trimming (or even shoeing) that you do will not be sufficient to solve your horses' hoof issues. Pete Ramey's site has a great article on feeding the hoof, and there is also more information on the sites listed below.
More Resources:
Conformation plays a role in hooves: Sage's Quantum Changes
The Horse Mechanic
Barefoot Horse
Iron Free Hoof
The Horse's Hoof
Healthy Hoof
Article on laminitis and sugar content of grass
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