The Natural Trim has the ability to trigger healing and healthy growth of the hoof but its efficacy is limited by, or enhanced by, three other key areas of our horse's life. They work together and cannot be separated, each impacting the others. These areas, referred to by Jaime Jackson as the 4 Pillars of Natural Horse Care (NHC), are as follows:
Pillar 1 - The Natural Trim
Pillar 2 - Reasonably Natural Diet
Pillar 3 - Natural Boarding
Pillar 4 - Natural Horsemanship
The Natural Trim mimics the wear patterns observed on the wild, free roaming horses of the U.S. Great Basin by Jaime Jackson. Over time, and when supported by the other three pillars of NHC, the Natural Trim triggers a domino effect of changes across the body. Natural wear patterns trigger natural growth patterns, leading to more natural hoof shape. This enables better movement in their natural gaits, thus leads to more natural weight bearing forces through the body. These forces continue to reinforce the natural shape of the hooves and allow the continuation / progression of the happy hoof with the Natural Trim. This forms an ongoing cycle.
Healthy, strong feet are grown by what is fueling the horse and are supported with The Natural Trim. That is to say, what is going into your horse's body will be impacting how well their body can function as a whole. A diet that is best going to support the overall wellbeing of our horses, as well as the growth of strong, healthy hoof horn, is one that is high-fibre, low-sugar and does not trigger inflammation.
Diet has a big impact on Pillar 1 (The Natural Trim), for example. If our horse's diet is triggering inflammation in the hoof (laminitis, for example), the breakdown this inflammation causes in the structures of the hoof will continue to persist regardless of how consistently the Natural Trim is performed. Stress rings on the outer hoof wall, 'thin soles', being 'footy' or sore are all signs that something going into the body is triggering inflammation. Grass pastures being the most common culprit.
Movement is key here. In particular, movement caused by the carrying out of innate behaviours such as playing with other horses, travelling to food, water or shelter. Basically, facilitating and encouraging their ability to BE a horse. The difference more movement alone can do for a horse's mental and physical wellbeing, as well as hoof function, is something I have recently come to appreciate on new levels. I have seen it speed up hoof growth and healing of pathology, as well as healthy weight loss. Couple that with allowing them to do it in a way that includes socialising with buddies they like to be with and travelling to forage for food and you have a truly holistic approach to horse care, and a happy horse!
Paddock Paradise/track systems are a fantastic way to facilitate meeting these innate needs. They can be as basic or as complex as desired or as resources allow. Whether its simply a fenced off track around the perimeter of their field, or a fully-surfaced, winding track through woodland, walk-in barns and on different terrains. The book Paddock Paradise by Jaime Jackson is a great place to find out more about this.
A complex topic with many opinions! It is not my intention preach how/what we should be doing with the horses we care for, simply to invite each of us to be mindful in everything we do with them. Quite simply thinking about how our handling can impact our horses. For example, from a physical standpoint, how we ride can impact hoof growth patterns. I have seen flares appear on one side of the hooves on a horse compensating for how they were being ridden by a new rider.
Jaime Jackson is a big advocate for awareness on how horses move in nature, their natural gait complex, and as riders how we should remember to take this into consideration. Is what we are asking of them within their existing fitness levels and innate physical capabilities to do? All with a view to keeping our horses as sound and as comfortable as possible throughout their lives.