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  • Dakota Memorial Ride

      “The horse is sacred; they come from the sun….” – Lakota tribute to the Horse Nation. December 2014 saw more than 45 riders take part in a 16 day, 330 mile journey, barefoot. The event is the Dakota Wokiksuye Memorial Ride, also referred to as the Dakota 38+2 Memorial Ride, and commemorates the largest…

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  • Monty Roberts on Barefoot Horses

    “Nature will dictate the angle that is appropriate for the leg conformation that it compliments. The surface of the earth will do a better job of trimming than any trained farrier could ever do. The absence of shoes will tease and condition the foot to grow and produce the strongest possible tissues so as to…

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  • Needful Things

    By Carole Herder What is your favorite piece of horse equipment? What could you not do without? I think we all have that ‘essential’ tool, the ‘must have’ aid. Excluding your bridle and saddle (if you use them!), is it your hoof pick? Your long-lines? Your neck rein/strap? Your rasp? Your plaiting bands?? For many…

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  • Combatting the Cruel Hoof Crack

    By Carole Herder Cracks. Cruddy, cruel, conniving (yes, they do seem out to personally attack our horse’s beautiful hooves) hoof cracks. What causes them? And why are some horses prone to them but not others? Types of cracks: • Grass Crack – a superficial crack starting from the ground and moving up. Can be caused…

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  • Nerves and Bloodflow – Keeping the Hoof Alive

    By Carole Herder Need some scientific jargon to back up your barefoot theories? I came across a great article by Dr. Robert Bowker recently, entitled ‘Nerves, Nerves, Nerves: Why Are They So Important To The Horse?’ The article gives an in-depth descriptive narrative on the different types of nerves in the hoof, how horses feel…

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  • Hoof Moisture Balance – A Natural Approach

    By Carole Herder Do you oil or condition?? Did you know that 90% of the moisture required for the hoof wall comes from within the blood and lymph vessels?  Moisture balance is extremely important to healthy hooves. It is the moisture, made up of water and salts and electrolytes, which ensures that the tubules (hollow…

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  • Working With Your Horse’s Unique Personality

    By Carole Herder What sort of personality does your horse have? I blogged about anthropomorphism recently and human traits and characteristics are certainly something we all put upon our horses! Is he cheeky, quirky, stubborn, willful, lazy, or excitable? How many of us adjust the way we present ourselves based on who we are in…

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