02/24/2023
The trimming interval and its key importance in barefoot success: It's been an uphill battle for years, trying to explain to trimming clients WHY their horses need trimming at 4 week intervals. We explain how that is actually our compromise; more frequently would be even better! Unfortunately, vets, farriers & many other barefooters will contradict this advice, but Dr. Robert Bowker's opinion greatly helps. Even 5 weeks is too long!! Dr. Bowker: “You want to trim a little bit frequently. Trimming 5, 6, 7, 8 weeks is too long - you have to remove a lot of hoof, and the hoof never really recovers from that. But if you trim frequently, 3 or 4 weeks, and just remove a little bit, you will get the different structures to change.” (reference: 8:30 in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys05jb2ZtnM&t=1s )
We can back that up with 20+ years of success following that exact advice. We started out with trims every 3 weeks, and eventually moved (through client pressure) to every 4 weeks, and that is adequate for most horses. Those with very severe issues need to go to every 2 weeks for a temporary period. Consistent, regular trimming at short intervals over a long period of time will reap incredible results. Happy Hooves! - Yvonne Welz
