Customer Reviews

The Sound Hoof: Horse Health From the Ground Up

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have read a lot of books on the topic, but I have yet to read a better introduction into horse hooves and hoof care. Sadly, more horse owners than not, who read and comprehend this book will finish it knowing more about their horses' hooves than their farriers. It is a short 114 page, concise, easy to understand informational guide into the complex and perfect design that is a hoof. An excellent gift for anyone with an interest in "healthy" horses. Their horses will thank you for it too!

This book should be required reading for all horse owners. It is well researched and well written by an author who knows the subject matter very well not only from books, veterinary articles, and personal research, but also from working as a farrier. Whether your horse is shod or barefoot, the information regarding the internal structures of the horse's hoof and lower leg, proper trimming to keep those structures in good alignment, and the timing between trimming is vitally important for all horses to maintain soundness over thier lifetimes. Too many horses' lives end early because of owner ignorance about hooves and how to care for them properly.

After reading this book I have a much better understanding of hoof trimming. It explains the theory and differences between some of the many ideas about trimming and shoeing that are circulating at the moment. The book encourages an active partnership between farrier and owner and encourages people to try something new. The author has achieved her goal of encouraging owners to take an active interest in their horses feet, thereby improving the life and usefulness of the horse.

Some good information in this book but the author had a foot in each camp which could lead the indecisive, to remain indecisive.

As an already natural trimmer this book had no new insights to offer. The pictures were too few and not helpful to show what was being talked about. I think it promoted why a horse should wear shoes more than why they shouldn't.

Bottom Line: If you want to know and understand more about your horses feet than your farrier, this is the book for you.

The book has a nice Intro to anatomy section, & there is really good information sprinkled throughout. However I find some of the advice in the book unrealistic.

Encourages the reader to have their farrier "justify" the farriers techniques. For example if I were to tell my farrier not to square the toe because the white line determines the shape of the foot, he would pack up his tools & leave! I'm sure on his way out he would tell me if I know so much about my horses' feet then I ought to trim them myself!

Also encourages reader to try & have their farrier experiment with "other" techniques. I feel it's unlikely the typical farrier is willing to "re-invent the wheel," in order to learn new techniques. None the less ones recommended from his client.

This book is also a bit "wishy-washy." It places doubts on theories or some aspect of theory because it was not micro-analyzed under a microscope in a laboratory controlled situation. Yet proof has been evident out in the field. This "wishy-washy-ness" may leave some readers confused.

Working with the "professionals" is all well & fine, but many of us have been stuck in the proverbial farrier/vet loop for far too many years already without answers. Get educated on the mechanical functions of the hoof via Jaime Jacksons "Horse Owners Guide to Natural Hoof Care." With that knowledge you should be able to make conscious decisions about your hoof care, regardless where you stand. Your dollar is better spent on the Jaimes book.

I like the picture on the front cover. This is an interesting book that helps the reader to understand some of the many hoof complexities.
Good delivery service

Ugh. What a sham this book is. The title suggests that this would be a fantastic source in learning to properly care for your horse's hooves, and thus, their soundness. Who wouldn't need a book like this? Don't fall for it. This book is largely a preachy rant about "natural" hoof care. If you're not one of the 15 people who practice "natural" hoof care and need an explanation, here goes: "Natural" hoof care is the misguided idea that horses, no matter what breed, discipline, athletic ability, job, age, soundness or geographic location, will be the most sound with NO shoes, as this is their natural state and they have thrived this way until their domestication. This would really make sense if what we did with our horses was "natural," but let's be realistic. Jumping, cutting, dressage, driving and polo are not "natural" equine activities. Neither is stall confinement, turnout in limited space, performing on sand based footing surfaces, and so on. Sure, there are a select number of performance horses who can excel without shoes, but they are exceptions, not the norm, and were probably born with fantastic hoof genes. If you have a backyard pleasure horse or a trail horse, this may work for you. I did give it 3 stars because the information provided is well written, well researched, and accompanied with appropriate diagrams and pictures. I do, however, not agree with the notion that natural hoof care can work for the majority of performance horses. If you're looking for hoof care books, try Shoeing Right, Well-Shod, or if you're really ambitious, Principles of Horseshoeing.