Customer Reviews

Making Natural Hoof Care Work for You

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2 star:		(1)
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I would suggest to anyone looking into natural hoof care for their horse, to buy this book. It is not intended to replace your professional farrier or hoof groom, but truly to educate the owner about what a horse's foot is supposed to look like, be able to do and function well.
Anyone having trouble with founder, navicular and traditional shoeing not working out for them, should get this book and learn, learn and learn some more!
I was fortunate enough to meet Pete Ramey at a hoof clinic. He is absolutely astounding! Truly cares about horses and has a wealth of knowledge. He presents his own education/experiences in a matter of fact way and will also let people known when he doesn't know something. A very rare thing to have happen especially in the farrier community.
I have grown to a better horse owner and hoof groom because of his book and his insights to natural hoof care.
Not every horse can be fixed and many have long-term problems, but if you are looking for a possible solution to your horse's problem then this is the book to start out with.

This is the best hoof care book I've ever read. It is both clear and persuasive.

When I became a horse owner in 1997, one of the great mysteries to me was hoof care. Everybody I talked to and everything I read told me something different. It took me a while to find a farrier I trusted, and two years later he had to give up his practice due to heath issues.

About that time I attended a Clinton Anderson seminar in which he devoted almost a whole session to natural hoof care. He sang the praises of Pete Ramey. So I bought Pete's book.

I was looking for a better understanding of hoof care in general, but I was also hoping to learn enough to start doing my own trimming. This book was a great help with both. Now for the first time I feel like I can look at my horse's feet and have some confidence that either they look like they're supposed to or I know what to do to make them better.

I've been doing my own trimming for over a year now. Here's some advice for anyone who hopes to do the same. Ramey's book is not a beginner's guide. He assumes you already own farrier tools, know how to use them, and that you know how to stand while you pick up a horse's hoof.

My advice is to start with just a $20 hoof rasp and some kind of a stand. I put a short piece of 4" PVC pipe on a wooden base, but an automotive jackstand or a real hoof stand would be better. Read the book, watch your farrier closely, ask lots of questions, and start applying what you've learned.

In the beginning you won't get much done. You'll gain new respect for the difficulty of a farrier's job as you fight your horse and become exhausted before you finish the first hoof. If your horse wants to move, I find it helpful to do what Clinton Anderson calls "touch and rub" (or porcupine game in Parelli language) - cheerfully lead the horse away from the trimming area and have him turn little circles for a while, then lead him back to the trimming area and give him the option to stand quietly. Smile and repeat as necessary. At some point he will get it. The more frequently you go through the motions of trimming, the quicker your horse will learn to cooperate. My horse will stand quietly now without being tied.

Even if your horse is an angel you will still become rapidly exhausted because you will be asking muscles to do something they've never done. So don't wait until it's time for the next trim before you pull out your rasp for the first time. Ramey recommends that you trim every four weeks, but I try to keep to a weekly schedule. Do what you can, concentrating on eliminating flare and maintaining a nice rolled edge on the hooves.

If you miss several weeks you'll find it hard to catch up with just the rasp, and a good hoof nipper will set you back $40-$90, so you might want to call your farrier back and start over until you're satisfied you'll be doing all your own trimming. I shared the book with a friend who does his own trimming and learned a lot in a hurry by working with him.

If Ramey ever comes my way with a seminar I'll try to attend. There's no substitute for being able to watch, ask questions, and get your hands dirty. Meanwhile, the book is a great resource. I think every horse owner should read it.

Edit, 12/24/2009

I bought some Clinton Anderson DVDs on the Black Friday sale. One of them was RFD TV Downunder Horsemanship episode 127, "Natural Hoofcare With Pete Ramey." This 2007 one hour episode of Clinton's TV show features Pete Ramey doing natural trims on two horses, with commentary as he works. Ramey's book was written in 2000, and he's learned a lot in seven years. He has become much more conservative, removing less material initially, as experience has taught him that much of what he once achieved by carving comes naturally with time. The video retails for $19.99. If you really want to master natural trimming, buy Ramey's ten DVD set, "Under the Horse," a full 20 hours of instruction for $250. He has additional DVDs available at [...]. But if you can't afford a $250 set of DVDs, the Downunder Horsemanship episode is an extremely helpful supplement to the book.

This is by far the best book yet on the subject of barefoot hoof care. It covers the transition, trimming, maintenance and nutrition. Scientific research, which he has worded for the layperson, documents explainations and photos. He includes many before and after photos and stories, some of which are inspirational and educational as to what can be achieved with foundered and laminitic horses that were to have been "put down". After reading this book, I had an excellent understanding of how all the pieces of the barefoot puzzle fit together and what I needed to do to make it work for me. I read this book before going to a live 2 day clinic by Pete. He is the real thing and what he writes is honest and from his heart. If you are considering transitioning your horse to barefoot, having problems with it working, or just a little bit curious about the concept, this book is the first one you should read... without a doubt!

Trainers, Farriers, Equine specialists, Horse owners please don't let the phrase "natural" discourage you from reading this book. If you are dealing with lameness' of any kind & or any severity this book is for you. I can't stress this enough, take advantage of both Pete Ramey & Jaimes Jacksons' knowledge, it is priceless.

I too had the opportunity to attend a Pete Ramey seminar, the guy is a straight shooter, he speaks very "matter-of-factly," no bull. I highly recommend his seminar, especially for the "layman." I Personally preferred reading this book first then proceeded onto reading Jaime Jacksons book next. I found that Pete gives a great overview, & Jaime goes a step further into greater detail.

The only draw back that I find is the book is missing the before & after radiographs, which can probably attributed to a timing issue. However there are numerous radiographs posted on his web site. It is unfortunate they are not in the book because they really helped me to understand the mechanics of this, why it works & why traditional hoof care falls short. These are excellent books & I recommend them to anyone, no matter your riding discipline or profession. Folks don't let this knowledge slip past you.

I found this book a great guide for me, as someone who is just starting to looking after my horses hooves. It has detailed explanations of how, and why, without baffling scientific language. The best thing about it is a wide range of photographs illustrating the subjects. Highly recommended, as an ongoing reference for those trying to improve their technique in hoof care, and those wanting an understanding to go with it.

This is a wonderful book, very well written and explains trimming to a tee. I am a beginning horse trimmer of a flat footed paint, my horse is *one of the 10* that Pete writes this book about. (NOt literally, but he has the same feet as the other 10) It is a great book with tons of pictures and very well writtten for the beginning trimmer. Don't second guess your decision to buy this book, get it now!
Toni

Pete Ramey provides a easy to understand introduction to natural hoof care that is solidly backed by current veterinary research. This book has all the elements for a horse owner to understand the basics of good hoof care and most importantly the "whys" of good hoof care. Even if you don't want to trim your own, this book is a must have just for the information. Plus, it's a great deal!!!

After having read online information, by Pete Ramey, displayed for interested horse enthusiasts, I wanted more information about the natural trim for keeping a barefoot horse sound. I have read and reread this book three times and each time find more information that I can relate to as I work at perfecting this trim on my horses. The book leaves me wanting to know and see more and more on the topic. I am "sold" on the technique. I found the book excellent and hope to gain more insight with future clinics, or perhaps, a professional in my area to check my work. If a person is not interested in trying the technique, this book will certainly make a person "think" about currently accepted practices.

Great book. I've also purchased Jaime Jackson's "Founder: Prevention and Cure" & 3 trimming DVD's. Just gave this book & DVD's to my farrier and asked for his assistance in getting my horses set up correctly. One horse has low soles, flares and is always "tenderfooted". Farrier/vet has previously recommended shoes for comfort. Nothing about shoes seems natural to me and the horse has to be tranquilized to get the job done. After reading & watching tapes, I'm very hopeful that the natural trimming methods will offer much needed comfort. I also have a pony who has had laminitis. We've made dietary changes recommended and are beginning the natural trims. I have purchased nippers, knife, rasp, and hoof stand. Too intimidated to use nippers yet, but rasping has already made some difference.

I found Pete's book to be informative.. perhaps finding the sole's scale next to frog could have been done a little clearer...
I have been trimming horses off and on for 17 years.. and i of course know what Pete is doing, as i do it myself...
Pete you are doing a wonderful job...
Remember there are people out here that must do their own horses! In the Aiken South Carolina area it costs $130.00 all round for shoes.. my point, there will be many middle class people not able to afford these shoes and the harsh reality is the equine population here will suffer.. i am sure the trend is sweeping the country.. I am pushing your book, and your technique here.. and i expect... all the people that are physically able to do so, learn this and apply it themselves.. only thing is.. your clinics are very expensive.. and during this time of uncertainty in the world today.. makes it hard to wander far from home.. don't cha know???
still
thanks and Kudos to you and your bunch.. and i also ordered Jaime book today..
salute
jeanne