The transition to barefoot – from a bodyworker's point of view
Taking care of the myofascial system during the transition from shod to barefoot is crucial for long term success.
There is more and more scientific data showing that going barefoot is beneficial. This is only true if the hooves are well balanced and functional.
It's really lovely to see that so many horses are thriving with bare feet nowadays. Not only weekend warriors, but competition horses of all kind are rocking it without metal shoes. It's great to see that more and more, the science is confirming that going barefoot is just much healthier for horses.
With all the scientific data coming out and all the success barefoot competition horses are having, a lot of people are taking shoes off their horses. That's a great thing, but I believe any barefoot practitioner will tell you that it's a little more complicated than just taking the metal off. It's important to prepare the horse for the transition and allow for ample time to go fully barefoot. A lot of horses will appreciate the help of hoof boots in the beginning stages. Most horses will need some nutritional tweaking to make sure the hoof has enough building blocks to create a functional form. And so on. It is likely that the horse might be a bit footy during the initial stages. Here is why this can be a problem.
When the metal shoes come off, the sensory function of the foot improves. The horse feels the ground way more than he did before. It's not just because of the absence of the shoe, it's also because there's increased circulation in the lower leg and foot. This coupled with probable foot imbalances and a thin sole, can make the horse a bit cautious or even footy. Perceived discomfort in the feet will always be coupled with a stiffer gait, as the horse tries to stabilize the limbs by bracing his muscles. This is especially prominent in the front feet. The horse might overuse the lower neck muscle and tighten his chest muscles. He might also carry stiffness in his neck. If done regularly, this will cause the range of motion of the front limbs to become reduced. The function of the thoracic sling will be diminished and the gait will become stilted.
This can then create a vicious cycle. The tight muscles alter the biomechanics of the leg, causing a change in hoof landing. This can then have a negative impact on hoof balance and development. If this goes unchecked, the hoof balance can become worse and worse, making the owner start doubting this whole barefoot business. If we want to avoid that, it's a good idea to make sure the muscles are as elastic and soft during the initial stages. Having regular bodywork done on horses in transition to barefoot is very important. The trickier the transition, the more important it is. Regularly restoring balance within the myofascial system gives the hoof the opportunity to function as it is supposed to. And since form follows function, getting the correct biomechanics of the foot is crucial for getting the right shape.