Natural Trim: Consistency is the Key

Ok, so we all usually have good intentions with our horses, whether it be, 'I'm going to ride five days a week,' or 'I'm going to clean the stalls every day,', etc, but sometimes we fall short with trying to keep up with these goals.  Before I had kids, I was actually really good at keeping my horse-related promises, but it's difficult now, as you other moms can probably relate.  But one thing I've really stuck with over the last couple of years is consistent trimming of my horses' feet.  And it's really paid off.

Why is it so important to be consistent with the natural trim?  And what will it possibly hurt if you let the hoof go a little longer between trims?  Well, it all goes back to the wild horse, whose hoof we aim to model with the natural trim.  Wild horses are constantly moving; they travel for miles, often over rocky terrain every day.  This movement is what keeps their hooves in perfect shape, and it would work for our domesticated horses too if they lived the same way.  The wild horse doesn't need to have his hooves trimmed because he does it himself, little by little, every day.

The wild hoof is quite a bit different from what we are used to seeing with domestic horses.  The heels are low and the toe is short, often measuring around 3 1/2 inches in length.  The toe is rounded in what we call a 'mustang roll'.  The sole is tough and concaved, and the frog is thick and rubbery.  And they do perfectly fine traveling over nearly any type of terrain. 

So back to my questions above.  If our goal is to model the wild hoof with the natural trim, we will be defeating the purpose if we let the hoof wall grow too long.  The sole is made tough by being allowed to participate in weight-bearing.  By keeping the walls trimmed conistently, we allow the sole to bear weight, allow it to toughen, and allow it to concave.  If the walls constantly bear all of the horse's weight, the sole will remain an idle passenger and will never toughen to the point of allowing the horse to be ridden barefoot comfortably.

So when people say, 'My horse just needs shoes --barefoot just doesn't work for him,' it's probably because he isn't being trimmed consistently.  There is a transition time that all horses need to go from being shod to being barefoot, but they will never reach the point of having rock-hard soles if you don't stick with it.

I trim my horses every four weeks (and one of them every two weeks).  It works well for me because I only trim one or two a week, and it's something I can keep up with.  And it's made all the difference in the world for their feet--they look great!

For more information on natural trimming, check out www.hoofrehab.com, Pete Ramey's site. 

Ta-ta!

Acupressure--What the Heck Is It?

Over the last three years since I've become certified in equine acupressure, I've had to do a lot of explaining to people of what it is exactly.  The first thing that comes to people's minds is needles.  That, my friends, is acupuncture.  Acupressure is also an ancient Chinese healing modality, but it uses pressure from your fingertips instead.

Acupressure is seen by many as a form of massage.  It's basis is much deeper than that, though.  According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are twelve major meridians that flow throughout our bodies (animals, too).  They can be seen as 'energetic pathways'.  Within these pathways flows Chi, which is somewhat difficult to translate into Western terminology, but probably the best way to describe it is 'life energy'.  Chi flows continuously throughout these meridians on a twenty-four hour cycle (Western medicine refers to it as the Circadian rhythm), keeping the body functioning as a whole.

Problems arise when Chi becomes 'blocked' in a certain meridian.  According to TCM, this is the beginning of illness or pain.  The theory behind acupruessure (and acupuncture) is that one can release the blocked chi by applying pressure to certain points along the meridians, known as acu-points.  These acu-points often have very specific anatomical locations, so finding them can be a bit tricky for the layperson.

If all this sounds a little hokey to you, just remember that we often shun what we don't understand.  I was once completely skeptical about all of this, too.  Learning about TCM and acupressure was part of the larger paradigm shift that I went through a few years ago, though.  I've realized that there is much more out there than what's in our little American bubble of 'medical treatment'.  Not to say that we haven't made some amazing discoveries and advances in treating illnesses here.  We definitely have.  But our way isn't the only way.

What I love about TCM is that it addresses the person or animal as a whole.  When a horse is experiencing pain of some sort, the problem is looked at from a whole-body perspective, not just that one area where the pain is manifesting. 

Anywho, I'll get off my soapbox now.  I just wanted to explain acupressure for those of you who may be interested in learning more about it.  Don't knock it 'til you try it!  I've done acupressure sessions on myself and my husband with noticeable effects.  Horses can't tell you if it's helping them, but once you've been doing acupressure for a while, you can see how it affects them as well.  My horses all love it!  More information on animal acupressure can be found at www.animalacupressure.com, if you're interested.

Ta-ta!

Pea Gravel for the Barefoot Horse

Pea gravel as stall bedding?  While some may think it sounds uncomfortable, it can actually be one of the best forms of stall bedding for the barefoot horse.  First, let me explain what pea gravel is.  It is the small, round stones often used on playgrounds or landscaping projects.  If you were to walk barefoot in pea gravel, it actually is quite comfortable. 

Now, I don't keep my horses stalled for a long period of time, but they do spend some time in their stalls each day.  What does the pea gravel do?  Well, it stimulates the frog and increases blood circulation (as shown in a study by Robert Bowker, VMD, PhD), toughens the sole, and helps to keep the hoof wall worn down, possibly increasing the amount of time your horse can go between trims.  If your horse has problems with thrush or seedy toe (white line disease), the pea gravel can help to eliminate it by drying out the hoof.  I've seen noticeable changes in my horses' feet since putting the pea gravel in their stalls last year.  The horses don't seem to mind it at all, either.

Pea gravel doesn't necessarily have to go in your stalls--it can go in any area of your pasture or paddock where your horse frequents.  It can be a little costly up front, but I am convinced that in the long run, it will save money.  I've had my pea gravel for over a year and haven't had to replace it yet.  It makes cleaning stalls very easy (with a cherry picker) and it drains well.  My stalls are never soggy anymore. 

Dr. Bowker recommends putting 3-6 inches of pea gravel in your stalls (or other areas) to get the maximum benefits of it.  I don't have quite that much and have still seen hoof improvements.  Getting another load of pea gravel is on my husband's to-do list, though.  I have one more stall that needs the gravel since getting another horse last fall, and I'd like to add more pea gravel to the other stalls.

The only drawback  I've noticed with the pea gravel is sometimes finding a tiny rock lodged in one of my horse's hooves.  It's never caused a problem, but I'd advise checking your horse's feet routinely to keep them cleaned out. 

Ta-ta!

Is Grain Necessary?

Graining horses is one of those customary practices just about every horse owner does.  But did you ever stop and think about why you feed grain?  Is it really necessary?  You may feel like a bad horse parent if you don't give your horse some sort of feed from a bag, but the truth is, most horses don't need it!  Think about wild horses--they do just fine on forage.  It's actually all a horse was ever meant to eat.  Unless your horse is in hard work and needs the extra calories, he probably would do just fine on pasture or hay alone.

Here are three reasons why you probably don't need to feed grain or a commercial feed:

1.  It's just extra calories your horse probably doesn't need.  If your horse is only ridden lightly or is just a pasture pet, he probably doesn't need anything other than pasture or grass hay.  If you want to give a handful of feed just because it makes you feel better, then go right ahead though.

2.  High-grain feeding is linked with colic and other equine disorders  (see Equine Grain-Associated Disorders).  A horse's stomach is quite small in comparison with the rest of its gastro-intestinal system.  It's not meant to handle large amounts of food at once.  

3.  Most commercial feeds do not contain the minerals horses need, nor do they contain the correct ratios of needed minerals.  Many people feed a bagged feed thinking they're providing these minerals.  It's simply not true.  Minerals are a whole 'nother topic (and one I'll surely get to), but don't think they're being covered by most feeds!

Now, with that being said--I am not saying 'Don't feed your horse.'  Yes, a horse needs to eat!  Horses typically need to eat about 1.5% to 2.5% of their body weight on a daily basis.  They can easily get this amount by eating grass or hay, though.  They easiest way to assess whether or not your horse needs more calories is  by his body condition score (BCS).  If he's holding at a 5--you're doing the right thing.  If  he's a 6 or higher, you could probably use some cutting back. 

It seems everyone has an opinion when it comes to horse nutrition.  My advice is to research things for yourself though.  Dr. Eleanor Kellon, VMD, offers some enlightening equine nutrition courses online.  This is where I got my start in equine nutrition edu-macation.  It's changed my whole outlook on feeding. 

Ta-ta!

Laminitis: A Real Risk

Laminitis (also known as 'founder') can only happen when your horse gets into the feed bin and eats to much grain, right?  Wrong!  Many horses develop laminitis from simply being on pasture.  But knowledge is power in this case--you can help to prevent laminitis before it happens.  Not every horse is at risk, but typically, your overweight, 'easy-keepers' are more likely to become laminitic.  Ponies and small horse breeds are also at higher risk.

Spring and fall are the worst times of the year for full-time pasture grazing because these are the seasons when sugars are at their highest in the grasses.  Also, remember that process you learned about in middle school called 'photosynthesis'?  Well, it plays a part in laminitis, too.  During the day, plants convert carbon dioxide into sugar using the sun's energy.  The sugar in plants is highest in late afternoon/early evening on a sunny day. 

So what should you do to prevent laminitis from occurring in your horse?  Horses that aren't exercised consistently or are overweight can be kept in a dry lot (no grass) during the daylight hours (and fed hay) and then grazed at night when sugars are at their lowest.  You can also limit grazing during the spring and fall.  Another option is a grazing muzzle.  I use these with several of my horses.  The muzzle allows them to graze through a small hole and limits their grass intake.   The muzzles take a little getting used to and they may not be for every horse, but it's a good option if your horse will tolerate it--that way they can still be 'out and about' with their buddies. 

There are tons of great websites where you can get more information on laminitis.  A great one is safergrass.org.  Laminitis can be quite serious and many horses are put down because of it.   An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, though.  You can take precautions before it happens to your horse.  Educate yourself and your horse will thank you!

Ta-ta!

Acupressure for Colic

I think nearly every horse owner knows that colic is nothing to fool around with.  I've had my share of colic experiences for sure.  My horse, Bob, had impaction colic surgery 3 1/2 years ago and we lost another horse last summer to complications from colic (twisted gut, I believe).

If you're an experienced horse owner, you've probably learned to recognize the signs of colic, whether it be your horse laying down in an unusual spot, showing little interest in eating, or just that 'look' in his eye that isn't quite right.  Once you know your horse is colicking, all the possible outcomes start running through your mind (at least that's what happens to me). 

Colic is definitely something to take seriously and many times, you will want to call your vet.  You may have your 'colic toolbox' at home, too, and many people will start treatment there.  I think most people are aware of the usual colic remedies like hand-walking your horse and giving banamine, but another effective tool is acupressure.  And yes, even you can learn to do it!  I'm not saying acupressure should EVER replace responsible veterinary care--it shouldn't!  You may want to try it though if the colic appears mild or while you're waiting for the vet to get there. 

My horse, Bob (the one who had colic surgery), was showing signs of colic last night and again this morning.  I immediately started applying pressure to the 'colic' acu-points.  Both times, the pain seemed to resolve quickly.  I've used these points before on him and other horses with success as well.  Now don't get me wrong--I checked on him frequently all last night and all day today.  I was prepared to head to the vet if he showed any more signs.  After his acupressure sessions though, he began grazing and acting normally.  I will continue to check on him frequently to make sure we don't have any more problems tonight or in the next few days.

To read about and see a chart of some commonly used 'colic' acu-points, see my article "Acupressure Points for Equine Colic".  You can also purchase the book, Equine Acupressure: A Working Manual, to learn more about acupressure and how you can use it to help relieve common equine conditions.  This book is what led me to attend an equine acupressure program and become certified--it's fascinating!

Once again, I am NOT advising anyone to try to treat serious cases of colic yourself.  Call your vet if your horse is in serious pain or if symptoms persist.

Ta-ta!

Learning the Natural Trim (#1)

I have to admit--one of the reasons I was attracted to my husband was the fact that he was a farrier.  It's saved me thousands of dollars over the years.  But every mechanic's wife knows that her car is last on the priority list.   And so it became with my horses.  I had to constantly nag him to trim or shoe my horses.  I found that sometimes, it was easier just to pay another farrier to come out.

For years, my husband told me that I should learn to trim my own horses.  I said, 'yeah, right!'.  I'm what you'd call a 'slight' person, and I didn't think there was any way in heck I could trim a horse.  I knew nothing of hoof mechanics either.

Fast forward to Fall, 2010.  My beloved gelding, Hershey, had been mysteriously lame for three years.  His feet looked awful, with big cracks extending up the middle of both front feet.  I suspected white line disease.  My world had recently changed due to two things:  the birth of my son in 2007 and my completion of an equine acupressure program in 2009.  I now had less time to spend with my horses, but a newfound and ever-growing interest in all things 'natural' relating to horses.  It was in acupressure school that I met Lu, a woman from Montana who was a natural trimmer.  I consulted her about Hershey, and she urged me to find a natural trimmer here.

After a desperate search for a so-called 'natural trimmer' in my area, I came up empty-handed.  I began to research natural-trimming for myself and decided that it wouldn't hurt to try it.  After all, Lu did it for a living.   

I bought Pete Ramey's book, Making Natural Hoof Care Work for You, and spent hours reading and taking notes.  I read nearly every article on his website www.hoofrehab.com.  I also bought his dvd set, Under the Horse.  It's been an arduous process, and I'm finding I still have much to learn.  Even with all my newfound knowledge, I found that I was still scared to death of hurting my horses when I trimmed.   After my husband's guidance and hours and hours of practice, I became more confident.  One of the hardest parts for me has been physical labor involved with trimming a hoof.  It took me forever to trim one hoof at first, and trimming two hooves was all I could do in one day.  You definitely have to build up your stamina when trimming horses.  I can now trim one or two horses a day.  I know, it's not great--but it's an improvement.  I have five horses, and I trim one a week. 

I think the most amazing part of this whole do-it-myself-natural-hoof-trimming process has been the knowledge I have gained.  I knew nothing of the internal structures of the hoof before.  Now, I understand the function of the coffin bone and I can recognize symptoms of toe pain or heel pain.  My husband has told me that I probably have  a greater understanding of the hoof than most traditional farriers (which is scary and satisfying at the same time!)

Anyways, my point is, if I can do it, you can sure as heck do the same.  I'm not advising anyone to take nippers to a hoof if you don't have a pretty good understanding of the internal hoof structures.  An uninformed trimmer could do a lot of damage (and many have, I'm sure).  Get an education first.  Whether it's attending a clinic, reading every book and website you can find on natural trimming, working with an experienced natural trimmer, etc.  But, you can do it!  My horses feet are looking better than ever.

For more reading on natural hoof trimming, see my article "Doing your own Natural Hoof Trimming".

P.S.--Back to Hershey.  It's been nearly five years since his lameness appeared.  I spent thousands of dollars during the first year or two, taking him to nearly every vet around.  Not one of them looked at his feet.  I am really suspecting that they've been the culprit all along.  He is now on a strict regimen for treating white line disease and even though I know there's probably some internal damage since it's been going on so long, I am hopeful at returning him to some state of soundness.  He's the reason I started this journey so I'll continue to do everything I can to get his hooves in the best possible shape.  I'll keep you updated.

Ta-ta!

Introductions

Hi there!

My name is Casie Bazay, and I am a freelance writer, nationally certified equine acupressure practitioner, and full-time mom.  After owning horses for nearly all of my life, I've recently discovered that I can do many of the things that horse owners would normally pay someone else to do.  Sure, I like to save money like most frugal-minded people do, but I also have an intense desire to do what's best for my horses.  Sometimes, that means taking matters into your own hands.  As a fairly new mom, I'm learning to really pay attention to my motherly instincts.  They're usually spot-on.  I've also realized that these same instincts apply when you're a horse mom (or dad!) as well.  I think deep down, we all know what's really best for our horses.  

Anyhow, I've learned more about horse care just in the past five years than I learned in the previous thirty.  I am by no means an equine expert, but I would like to share some of the things I've learned, as well as help other horse owners begin their own journey into do-it-yourself horse care.  That's why I've started this blog.   I hope you will find it informative!

Ta-ta,

Casie