What Is Equine Podiatry?
The development of barefoot hoof care as an alternative to the traditional horseshoes.
Hooves are kept manageable by regular visits from Certified Specialist Trimmers or Equine Podiatrists. The horse’s living environment is also adapted to a more natural state.
There are mixed views in the equine world regarding how appropriate this is for the majority of circumstances – after all, hoof care is paramount.
Is Barefoot Right For Horses?
Some say that barefoot is natural which, from a purist point of view is true.
However, others argue that “natural” is a horse roaming across a grassy landscape, whereas we ask them to carry a human on their back, and ride on stoney tracks and metalled roads.
The Equine Podiatry Association was formed in April 2006 in the UK to provide a register of qualified hoof specialists
The Institute of Applied Equine Podiatry maintains a list of qualified members in the UK & worldwide
To contact an Equine Podiatrist in the UK go to The Equine Podiatry Association (UK) – www.epauk.org
The Institute of Applied Equine Podiatry – www.equinepodiatry.com
Barefoot Hoof Specialists in the UK
Sympathetic horse care with Debbie Croeser. Debbie has a diploma in Applied Equine Podiatry. www.justhorsesense.co.uk
Jayne Hunt a qualified Equine Podiatrist travels to clients in the South West, covering an area that stretches from Taunton to Cheltenham. www.healthyhooves.co.uk
Richard Vialls, qualified Equine Podiatrist and tutor is based on the Isle of Anglesey and his practice covers North Wales. www.unshod.co.uk
Lesley Evans offers several complementary therapies including Equine Podiatry. Lesley is prepared to travel from her base in Uffington, Oxfordshire. www.equiwork.com
Rohan Fox qualified as an Equine Podiatrist in 2010. Rohan is based in Derbyshire and covers a large area in the North East, extending across Wales, Herefordshire, the East Midlands, West Midlands. www.hoofworks.co.uk
Barefoot trimming in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester is provided by Abigail Hogg author of The Horse Behaviour Handbook. www.abihogghoofcare.co.uk
Interesting Sites
An interesting American site with in depth articles on hoof trimming and the hoof www.barefoothorse.com
The official site of Applied Equine Podiatry. www.equinepodiatry.net
Training as a Barefoot Trimmer
To train as a Certified Hoof Care Specialist you need a minimum of 500 hours hands-on instruction. Mainly farriers and vets undergo the training.
Basic courses suitable for owners wishing to provide a ‘maintenance’ trim between Specialist Trimmer visits plus guidance on adapting your horse’s living environment to barefoot hooves are available. These are short 5 day courses held The Equine Podiatry Association (AEPAUK).
All enquiries direct to Justine Jenkins Tel: 01269597635
Recommended Reading
Horse Owner’s Guide to Natural Hoof Care ~ By Jaimie Jackson. Regarded as an educational text book on natural hoof management and praised by all who have followed his ideas.
Equine Podiatry: Medical and Surgical Management of The Hoof ~ By Andrea Floyd DVM (Author), Richard Mansmann VMD PhD (Author) For the equine podiatrist student or horse care professional
Visit our Books page to read the reviews on these books and browse books on equine health recommended by our therapists.
