{"id":3784,"date":"2014-02-07T22:24:25","date_gmt":"2014-02-07T11:24:25","guid":{"rendered":"\/?page_id=3784"},"modified":"2025-07-31T18:26:26","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T08:26:26","slug":"hoofcare-articles","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/naturalhorseworld.com\/stage\/hoofcare-articles\/","title":{"rendered":"Barefoot Hoofcare"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\"KayaPippinsmile\"
Kaya and her lovely Pippin.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

By Kaya Femmerling (Dec.)<\/a><\/p>

Wild Hooves<\/h3>

Horses are born without shoes. From day one they are equipped with the most magnificent \u2018Life\u2019-structure at the end of their legs, the Equine Hoof. With their natural hardy hooves, horses are able to cover 30\u2013 70 Km per day, as they travel in their herd, foraging for sparse native grasses.
The horse is an animal of the wide-open steppes. The horse is a prey animal, and healthy tough hooves are needed for it to survive.
Remember the saying?! \u2013 \u2018No Hoof\u2013 No Horse!\u2019<\/p>

Between the wild horse in its natural habitat, and our domesticated horses, having to live under artificial conditions, in confinement, and in horse stables or small paddocks, yes, there is a big difference.
But, the horse HAS NOT changed genetically since man domesticated the horse!<\/p>

Horses have evolved for millions of years on this planet, do you really think they can change genetically, just over the few thousands of years, since man domesticated them? The answer is NO.
Our pony in the backyard is genetically exactly the same horse as its cousin in the wild, and has exactly the same needs, physically and emotionally, as its cousin in the wild.<\/p>

\"HPonRiverBank\"<\/p>

Most arguments against Natural Horse Keeping and Natural Hoof Care (barefootedness) are based on the idea of our domesticated horses and ponies having different needs to the needs of the wild horse.
But the \u2018facts\u2019 and statistics show a different reality. Most of the horse\u2019s health problems encountered today are caused by not respecting and catering to the horse\u2019s physical and emotional needs.
Horses and ponies suffer from colic, lameness issues, hoof problems, sore backs, laminitis, founder, injuries etc.
Where do these diseases come from?<\/p>

However, horse\/pony owners can make a big difference for our equine friends.
We can study and learn and inform ourselves, to provide our horses and ponies with as near as natural conditions as possible.
How about we model our ideal horse keeping after the healthy habitat of the wild horse, as nature intended horses to live?
You can also call it: \u2018Create a little bit of Arizona in the middle of Belgium\u2019\u2026<\/p>

What do horses and ponies need to stay healthy and happy, physically as well as mentally?<\/strong><\/p>

Our horse\/pony needs:<\/h3>