"The
greatest
advantage is to hoof health. By leaving a horse barefoot, one allows
the hoof's natural functions of shock absorption, traction, and
biomechanics to perform at their optimum. Shoes inhibit natural
function and the horse's natural way of going, and limb interference
with shoes can cause injury."
---Debora Ash, American Farrier's
Association (AFA) certified farrier, BHS assistant instructor, and
co-author and publisher of Study Guides (to aid farriers for AFA
national certification examinations)
"The
foot was designed to be unshod. Anything that you add to the foot,
like a horseshoe that is nailed on, is going to interfere with the
foot's natural process. Most horseshoes have six to eight nails,
possibly one to three clips, all of which constrict the foot's ability
to expand and contract. Add pads, packing, any number of alternatives
to the shoe, and you create a gait alteration. It all interferes with
the natural process of the mechanism. Ideally, for the foot to work
the way it's been designed through evolution to work, you'd rather do
less than more to the foot. But that may or may not be a realistic
wish."
---Emil Carre, AFA president, AFA
certified journeyman farrier, and a consulting editor for Hoofcare and
Lameness magazine.
"Trimming
barefoot riding horses demands a higher level of intuition and
competency. A horseshoe or a hoof boot can hide even the most serious
errors in judgement (for a while). A mistake on a barefoot riding
horse will tell on you in a heartbeat!"
--Pete Ramey, "Making Natural Hoof Care Work for You"
Have you ever wondered -
-
Why your farrier does "all
those things" to your horse's hooves?
-
How often your horse's hooves need
to be trimmed?
-
How to judge your farrier's work -
is he doing a good job for your
horse?
-
Why a domestic horse
"needs" to be shod, while horses lived for eons without?
-
How can a person ride and even
compete with a barefoot horse?
-
What are the parts of a horse's
hoof and leg - or even why they are important to know if you
aren't a vet or farrier?
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Gwen is a Professional Natural Hoofcare provider. After
"cleaning up" after countless local farriers over the
course of almost 20 years and going through two mechanically
foundered horses and white line disease, she finally took the steps
to learn formal hoofcare. Since the first "formal"
mentoring day with Marjorie Smith in 2000, Gwen has intently studied
the Equine Hoof. Independent studies with Jaime Jackson, Pete Ramey,
Hiltrud Strasser, Gene Ovnicek, Lyle Bergeleen and more has led
Gwen into an incredible journey of the Natural care of Equine
Hooves. As a Professional in Natural Hoofcare, traveling to 4
states in New England she now works exclusively with
pathological horses; those horses who are on their way or have
already reached the state of total lameness from Laminitis,
Navicular, White Line Disease, Quarter Cracks, LTLH Syndrome,
Founder and more. The horses in her care receive the benefits
of her years of experience and knowledge combined with her studies
in Homeopathy, Herbal Remedies and Equine Nutrition & Husbandry.
The phrase, "Whole Horse", is Gwen's focus ... she works
with the WHOLE horse; not just a piece or symptom. Additionally,
Gwen offers courses, clinics and workshops on Natural Hoofcare and
The Whole Horse. Please visit her website at
www.barefoottrim.com and
her Online Course listings at
www.thepenzancehorse.com.
Some testimonies read,
"Three weeks after his initial trim (by Gwen) Ben and I
were out on a (rocky) trail! With lots of time and patience and
getting used to his new way of moving (heel/toe vs. toe/heel) Ben
really has responded well to being barefoot. Although we are still
in "transition" he remains sound and moves beautifully. It
is a great feeling to be able to eliminate a man-made element for
such a willing trusting "partner".
"I honestly never thought this horse would have a second chance
at being sound and happy, I was willing to just make her as
comfortable as I could by keeping her on bute and masking the pain
until I found Gwen. Without her help my mare would probably still be
lame and in heavy uncomfortable egg bar shoes."
"He went from dead lame walking on his toes to completely sound
immediately following his very first treatment (with Gwen). I would
never never put shoes on any horse ever again.--
HORSES DON'T LIE."
Find out how YOUR HORSE can be happy and sound! LEARN what
healthy horse hooves should look like, feel like and sound! Learn
how the Equine Hoof works and stays healthy! Plus much more.
Learn MORE!
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Penzance was founded in 1996 in Whitinsville, MA.
The founder, Gwenyth
Browning Jones Santagate, has been involved with riding and training of
horses since the 1960's. Leasing facilities for many years, Gwen was finally
able to realize her dream of owning her own farm in 1996. Nestled in the hollows
of New England woods and forests in Douglas, MA,, PENZANCE is ever growing and
improving. What began as a small home with just 1.88 acres is now 11 acres,
barn, shelters and a home to 10(+) horses, 2 miniature UK Shetland ponies,
miniature donkeys, goats, chickens and bunnies, vegetable and perennial gardens
plus acres of pine groves, oak glens and even a year-round running brook and
large pond. There is something to delight everyone who visits PENZANCE.
The horses and ponies are all in different levels of training which allows for
students of every level to participate in the unique and exceptional learning
environment.
Believing whole-heartedly in "Natural
Horsemanship", Santagate made the decision in 2000 to adhere completely to
"natural" settings and forego any "traditional" instruction,
training or boarding. From full and training board, all the way through to
teaching bareback and bridleless riding, PENZANCE is New England's premier
educational farm for good and natural horsemanship. Students attending classes
or instruction in riding learn about the WHOLE horse and everything that goes
along with the natural animal, including equine psychology & behavior, feed
& nutrition, hoof and health care. PENZANCE hosts "Barefoot
Trimming" clinics, Clicker Training Workshops, Progressive Equine
Partnership Certificate programs, and much more. There is something educational
and fun to attend throughout the year. Because PENZANCE is Gwen's private home
that she shares with her husband of 31 years, the classes, instruction and
events at PENZANCE are relaxed, personal, warm and tailored to each individual's
needs. There are no strict rules at PENZANCE except to stay safe and have fun.
Click HERE for
more info on Gwen
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