This tried and
tested two day course
will cover the basic theory and practice of barefoot trimming. This is a practical workshop which includes demonstrations and hands on work
with real horses! It is therefore only suitable for horse owners and
people who regularly work with horses . By the end of this course, you will have
the knowledge and the confidence needed to keep your own horses hooves
trimmed and healthy.
The course starts on the Saturday morning with an introduction to
Natural hoof care, followed by a trimming demonstration. The rest of the
workshop is taken up by trimming practice with the farm's horses, who are all
kept barefoot. Everyone gets a chance to put rasp to hoof, and by the end
of the workshop, participants will be able to do a maintenance trim on a
fully transitioned barefoot horse. If required, we will also look at
techniques to deal with horses who have difficulties giving their feet. The workshop finishes at 4.30 pm on the Sunday.
Cost is 180
euros and includes course notes, vegetarian lunch on both days and one night B&B. Transport to the island
and dinner on Saturday night are not included.
Participants are encouraged to bring pictures of the horse hooves (click here to find out how to take them) and to bring them to the workshop. On the Sunday, we will look at the pictures together and decide on a suitable hoof care strategy for your horse.
For those with an interest in the subject, but who don't want to commit for the full 2 days, it is also possible to come for the first day only as a spectator at a reduce rate of 80 euros. Note however that spectators will not be able to do any trimming practice.
What is Natural hoof care?
Natural hoof care, also known as barefoot trimming, is keeping and working
horses without shoes. It is not merely taking the shoes off, it is
returning the hooves to the natural state of health that enables wild
horses to travel 15 miles per day on rough terrain without shoes.
Keeping horses barefoot has many advantages: if you're doing the trimming
yourself, it is far cheaper that shoeing, you never miss a ride
because of a lost shoe, but mostly, barefoot horses are healthier
and happier.
However, it is important to realise that without trimming and with
insufficient natural wear, domestic horses' hooves would grow too long and
distorted, and the horn would not grow strong enough for the horse to be
working
comfortably on hard ground. So regular trimming is essential for healthy
hooves, and the purpose of this course is to teach horse owners to do it
themselves.
For more information about barefoot trimming, you can look at the following links:
A barefoot hoof, doing road work daily
