We have been working closely with one of the premier natural hoof care professionals in expanding our knowledge and experience base. I will share more details later in blog posts, but my entire understanding of the form and function of the equine hoof has been turned on it's head. This experience has explained things that I've seen in the past, and unveiled healing potential that I did not previously believe existed.

We are now offering natural equine hoof care as a service to horses and their owners in western Wyoming, eastern Idaho, northern Utah, and nearly anywhere else that requires our services. The potential to heal, increase mobility, improve speed and agility, and add longevity to horses' lives by implementing a plan for natural hoof care exceeds what most people believe is possible.

Rehabilitation is a huge part of why we got involved in this line of work, and few things are more rewarding than watching a horse suffering from acute and severe laminitis, that couldn't even stand comfortably a few minutes before, walk off to get some hay, knowing that the next time that I see that horse, we'll move him even closer to a healed state. I think everyone in the horse world can appreciate a horse licking his lips as an indication of comfort with what he is experiencing. Well to convince a horse standing in the leaning back founder stance to allow you to take his foot, trim it alleviating the painful pressure, allowing him to tentatively take his foot back and put weight on it, and then to see him lick his lips and approve fully of how his newly trimmed foot feels, and then to repeat that process on the other three feet, is a reward that exceeds explanation.

What most horse owners don't see is how shoes that constrict hoof movement, and prevent hoof wear cause varying degrees of the rotation of the coffin bone that affect the horse, despite the fact that he has not shown lameness. Stretching of the white line and flaring of the hooves are both commonly seen and certain indicators of problems. The horse may not display lameness, but almost certainly strides are shorter, agility and athleticism are compromised, and performance and longevity suffer.

I honestly believe that there is unrealized potential in every horse that is currently wearing iron, and this is true of all breeds and disciplines. Among other concerns, shoes prevent proper contact with the ground, flexion of the hoof, and correct hoof wear. The combination creates a horse that experiences increased pounding on joints and discomfort as hoof does not perform the way it is intended.

It is a passion of ours to help horses maximize their potential through proper natural hoof care. To schedule a visit at your barn or ranch, or to talk about the benefits, please reach out to us at my email: jimnorman@millironnranch.com. We sincerely look forward to talking to you about how we can help your equine partners.