How to Care For Your Horse’s Hooves Naturally

These days, the word “natural” often carries a positive weight – especially in the health and beauty industry, where it’s seen as a sign of something gentler or more in tune with the body. 

But when it comes to hoof care, what exactly does “natural” mean? 

Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t involve a metal shoe. In most cases, a natural hoof refers to one that’s barefoot and free from artificial support or restriction.

Natural hoof care is about keeping our domesticated horses’ hooves as close as possible to how they’d develop in the wild. Of course, domestic horses live very different lives from their wild counterparts – they’re often ridden, stabled and fed in ways that nature never intended. 

So, is going “natural” just an idealistic goal? Not necessarily. 

Genetically, wild and domestic horses are virtually the same, so the question becomes: how can we help our horses thrive by mimicking the conditions nature designed them for?

The key lies in creating an environment and hoof care routine that supports the horse’s natural biology. It’s not about going back in time or making life harder for ourselves, but about making thoughtful, informed choices. Thanks to the work of experts like Jaime Jackson, who studied the hooves of wild mustangs in the US Great Basin, we now have practical, evidence-based guidance for applying these principles to horses in domestic settings.

 

In This Guide: 

• What Is A Natural Hoof? 
• The Natural Trim
• Maintenance and Spotting Early Signs
• Environment and Lifestyle
• Conclusion 

 

What Is A Natural Hoof? 

A natural hoof is one that’s allowed to grow and function the way nature intended – without metal shoes or unnecessary interference. It should be trimmed to support the horse’s overall health and movement and kept in a condition that mimics how wild horses naturally wear down their hooves over different terrains.

A healthy natural hoof should:

• Be barefoot (unshod) and able to function without shoes
• Have a short toe and low, even heels
• Show a tight white line (the connection between hoof wall and sole)
• Have a strong, thick hoof wall
• Feature a healthy frog (the V-shaped structure on the underside) that touches the ground
• Include a well-developed digital cushion, which helps absorb shock

As a result, a natural hoof should support the horse’s balance and movement, provide traction on different surfaces and allow for good circulation in the lower leg.

 

The Natural Trim: What It Is and Why It Matters

Jaime Jackson’s research on wild mustangs showed that their hooves maintain a specific shape and function that keeps them sound, strong, and healthy – without the need for shoes. From this, he developed the Natural Trim, a method designed to mimic the natural wear patterns found in wild horses.

If you’re working with a hoof care practitioner, ideally they should be trained in Natural Hoof Care (NHC) and follow the principles of the Natural Trim. Even if you’re not trimming hooves yourself, understanding the basics can help you make more informed choices and spot red flags in your horse’s hoof health.

Here are some of the key elements of a natural trim:

 

1. Toe Length

In a natural trim, the toe is kept shorter than what you might see on a traditionally shod horse – typically around 3 inches from the hairline to the ground. This helps the horse “break over” the toe more easily, improving movement and reducing strain.

A short toe also encourages proper angles in the hoof, so the frog and sole can share in absorbing shock.

If the toe is too long, the hoof wall ends up carrying too much weight, which can weaken the hoof and make it more prone to cracking or infection.

One common mistake is “chopping” the toe straight off to make it look neater. This can damage sensitive internal structures and open the hoof to bacteria, especially in horses transitioning from shoes.

Horses coming out of shoes often have long toes and underrun heels, so this needs to be corrected gradually with trims that follow the hoof’s natural shape.

 

2. Hoof Wall Thickness

A healthy, natural hoof should have an even thickness of wall all the way around. 

Uneven walls can indicate imbalance or poor trimming. As your horse transitions, you’ll likely notice the hoof wall becoming thicker and stronger over time. 

 

3. The Mustang Roll

This is a signature feature of the Natural Trim. The mustang roll is a smooth, rounded bevel around the edge of the hoof wall – not flat or sharply cut. It:

• Helps with smoother breakover
• Reduces stress and cracks in the hoof wall
• Gives the hoof a naturally worn, finished look
• Encourages healthy wear, just like in wild horses

 

4. The Frog

In barefoot horses, the frog should make contact with the ground. It plays a crucial role in shock absorption.

The concave shape of the sole creates a natural space for the frog, which prevents it from wearing down too much.

As your horse adapts to barefoot life, you might notice the frog and heels widen. This is a good thing – it increases the surface area that absorbs impact, making movement more comfortable.

 

5. Balance

A well-trimmed natural hoof will be balanced from all angles. Here’s what to look for:

• From the front: Imagine a line running down the centre of your horse’s leg through the hoof. The hoof wall’s grain should run parallel with this line.
• From the side: The hoof angle should be steeper at the toe and lower at the heels.
• In movement: A balanced hoof creates a balanced horse. Watch your horse move – do they step out confidently and evenly?

Understanding these basic principles will help you recognise good hoof care and support your horse’s overall wellbeing. You don’t need to be an expert, but being informed goes a long way.

 

Maintenance and Spotting Early Signs

In between professional trims, regular hoof maintenance and daily checks are essential for keeping your horse’s feet healthy. Catching small changes early can help prevent minor issues from turning into major problems. 

For more info, see our blog post on common hoof conditions to watch for.

As part of your daily routine:

• Pick out all four hooves and use a wire brush to clean the sole thoroughly. This helps you spot any stones, debris or cracks that could harbour bacteria.
• Look for signs of uneven wear, hoof wall separation, or gaps in the white line (the junction between the hoof wall and the sole).
• Pay close attention to the clefts beside the frog and the heel area, which are common sites for thrush.

For daily cleaning and prevention, Sole Cleanse is a gentle but effective hoof spray designed to combat bacteria and fungi – ideal for preventing thrush or addressing early signs.

By making hoof care part of your everyday routine, you’ll not only build a stronger understanding of your horse’s feet, but also be able to react quickly to any changes – helping to keep hooves healthy, strong, and problem-free.

 

Environment and Lifestyle 

Ultimately, healthy hooves are a result of holistic horse care. If your horse isn’t healthy mentally and physically from the inside out, how can you expect the hooves to thrive? 

The best way to do this is to refer to the three Fs of horse care: Friends, Freedom and Forage, recognised by organisations such as World Horse Welfare as the most important necessities for a horse’s wellbeing. 

Let’s break down the three Fs and see how each one plays a role in supporting healthy hooves: 

• Friends: Horses are herd animals, and social interaction is crucial for their mental health. Stress and loneliness can negatively affect the immune system and overall condition, including hoof quality. A relaxed, content horse is more likely to have healthy hooves.
• Freedom: Movement is key. Wild horses travel many miles a day, which naturally wears their hooves and stimulates circulation. Providing your horse with as much turnout as possible, ideally in a varied environment, encourages natural hoof wear and supports strong, functional feet.
• Forage: A forage-based diet – mainly hay and grass – keeps the digestive system and metabolism healthy. Sudden sugar spikes from rich feeds can contribute to problems like laminitis and more. Keeping the diet as natural as possible, including all the essential vitamins and minerals, helps promote hoof strength from the inside out.

 

In conclusion 

Caring for your horse’s hooves naturally might feel like a big shift at first, but with the right knowledge, tools and routine, it’ll quickly become second nature. By understanding the principles behind natural hoof care and keeping a close eye on your horse’s feet day to day, you’ll be well equipped to support strong, healthy hooves as best you can.

At Red Horse Products, we’re here to support you every step of the way on your barefoot journey. Our natural, vet-approved hoof care remedies are designed to help your horse feel and perform at his best. Explore our hoof care range to find the right products for your needs, and don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team of experts is always happy to offer advice and guidance tailored to your horse.

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References:

Albanozzo, S., Borg, L., Camilleri, L. and Bowker, R.M. (2024) ‘Hoof capability of barefoot-kept horses and ponies walking over artificial environments: An anatomical and radiological study’, EC Veterinary Science, 9(1), pp. 1–15.

Jackson, J. (2001) Horse Owner’s Guide to Natural Hoof Care. Bloomington, IN: Star Ridge Publishing.

Martins, C.F., de Souza, M.V., de Lima, F.E., de Oliveira, M.S., de Lima, M.C. and de Lima, F.S. (2023) ‘Immediate Effect of Hoof Trimming on Hoof and Thoracic Joint Angles in Horses’, Veterinary Sciences, 10(8), p. 464.

Roepstorff, L. et al. (2023) ‘Unshod sports horses – for durability and performance’, Presented at the Gothenburg Horse Show.

Smith, J.A., Johnson, L.M. and Thompson, R.D. (2022) ‘Evaluating the Effect of Routine Hoof Trimming on Fore and Hind Hooves at the Impact Phase of the Walk’, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 113, p. 103936.