Barefoot Proven Better for Your Horse's Health!
I stumbled onto an article a few months back that completely changed the way we look at our horses feet, as well as their room and board. A massive stack of research, books and videos later, we pulled the shoes off all six of our horses. They are trimmed using the "wild horse trim,"and are turned out 24/7.
I had no idea that a horse's hoof is supposed to flex, and the flexing is supposed to serve as a blood pump that not only helps to keep the foot healthy, but takes strain off the heart and improves their immune system. Flexing also provides shock absorption for the foot and legs. And any metal shoe nailed to the horse's hoof eliminates the hoof's ability to flex.
No flexing means severely reduced blood flow within the hoof mechanism, and up the legs to the heart. Which means the hoof will, sooner or later, become unhealthy. There is no other physiological possibility.
Please don't take my word for it. Check out the enormous amounts research out there on the internet. Go see how Jaime Jackson, Pete Ramey, Eddie Drabek, Dr. Hiltrud Strasser, James and Yvonne Welz, and so many others are saving horses every day that someone has said must be put down due to some lameness or other. See Joe's review of Pete Ramey's terrific new DVD set Under the Horse. And read about Jaime Jackson's studies of more than 1000 mustang hooves in the wild to determine what mother nature intended for the horse (click his name above). And his "model" called the "wild horse trim" that replicates the function of the mustang hoof in the wild. The results are truly astounding, at least for those of us who grew up believing that domestic horses must have shoes. Our six have rock-crushing feet and are good to go on any surface.
The Houston Mounted Patrol, among others, is completely barefoot with the "wild horse trim" and the horses spend their time every day carrying police officers on concrete and asphalt streets. Please click the link above and read this amazing story. Reining horses, roping horses, jumpers and dressage horses are doing the same and winning against shod horses.
When we took the shoes off Cash, our big ten year old Arabian gelding, I swear I could feel the smile! A tendon issue in his left front leg disappeared completely.
Cash's Right Front
Again, and this is so important, so many horses wearing shoes have been condemned to be put down only to have a natural hoof trimmer pull their shoes and bring them back to a sound and healthy life (see the article on Pete Ramey in the December 2006 issue of Horse & Rider; and Eddie Drabek's website
www.wholehorsetrim.com/). Amazing story after story you should read for yourself. Drabek says he has never met a single horse that couldn't be taken successfully barefoot with the proper balanced trim and diet. No matter what discipline they perform, no matter how many hours a day they carry someone around, in short, no matter what. But, again, please don't listen to me. Check it all out for yourself. Your horse deserves it. I hope you'll read more and check out the links at:
Read About Going Barefoot!
Successfully!
See Photos of
Barefoot Winners!
Did you know that there is no such thing as a "domesticated" horse. All of out horses are genetically wild horses...living in captivity. Or better put, wild horses...living in our care. The modern day high performance horse, the contemporary wild horse, and the wild horse of the ice age are all physiologically, anatomically, and psychologically the same genetically. That's why the wild horse model works!
Kathleen, Joe, Dylan and Allegra visit Monty Roberts (left) at his ranch in Solvang, California.
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Read the cover story interview with Joe in The Horse's Hoof Magazine
View the New Video of Our Herd:
Dancing Barefoot
Two-and-a-half minutes that will bring a smile and might very well inspire happier and healthier horses in your life. Beware, it's probably a shock for those who believe pastures should be flat.
See Q&A with Joe about the book
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Early Raves for The Soul of a Horse
"Joe shows that animals can change your perspective and perhaps even your life. This book is about compromise, trust, and love. There are life lessons to be learned here that go beyond the pasture and affect the quality of your life. Read this book and feel your heart open."
Mike Thompson
Writer-Producer of the new Universal film TRAVELING
"Who should read this book? Every person who has a relationship with a horse, other animals, spouse, family, or other humans. So that includes just about everybody."
Kelly Bowers
The Rider Magazine
"I read The Soul of a Horse and I see the soul of a man. I am absolutely captivated."
Dr. Robert M. Miller, DVM
Author, Lecturer, Equine Veterinarian
2004 Western States Hall of Fame
"I wish you could hear my excitement for Joe Camp's new book, The Soul of a Horse. It is unique, powerful, needed."
Dr. Marty Becker
Best-selling author of several "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books; Popular veterinary contributor to ABC's "Good Morning America"
"Lately I have read a number of books that seek to explain and satisfy the human yen to connect physically, emotionally and even spiritually with the horse. And yet The Soul of a Horse is the only one I've come across that speaks with a totally resounding note of truth. Coincidentally (or not?) it's also the only one I've read that is written with the unflinching insight that a deep and satisfying connection with another individual - human or otherwise - requires us to set aside our own aspirations, expectations and needs in order to clearly understand those of the other. A delightful blend of autobiography, critical analysis and storytelling, this book engages the reader intellectually and emotionally from start to finish."
Ysabelle Dean
Vice President - Australian Equine Barefoot Movement (AEBM) Inc
"Hundreds of other books about horses, training, and equine management have been published, but Camp's easy-to-read prose, humor, and enlightening tales bring readers to question what truly is best for the horse."
Kryille Goldbeck
Library Journal
"Joe Camp is a natural when it comes to understanding how animals tick and a genius at telling us their story. The Soul of a Horse is a must read for those who love animals of any species."
Monty Roberts
Author of New York Timers Best-seller The Man Who Listens to Horses
"Joe Camp's new book, The Soul of a Horse, should be required reading for anyone who wants horses, has horses or just plain loves horses! The book was sooo good I was sad when it ended."
Dr. Kim Bloomer
Host of Animal Talk Naturally Radio
“Joe Camp has to write another book – and soon! Joe is a wonderful story-teller. The book is lively, stimulating, delightful, educational, amusing, entertaining, charming, a pleasure to read and totally lovable. Joe Camp I am in your debt. Thank you!”
Robert Cook FRCVS PhD
Professor of Surgery Emeritus
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine -
Tufts University
"Joe speaks a clear and simple truth that grabs hold of your heart."
Yvonne Welz
Editor, The Horse's Hoof Magazine
"The Soul of a Horse is beautiful. Everyone who reads this book will laugh a little, cry a little, and think a lot; about the horse, about mankind, and about themselves."
Pete Ramey
Author, Speaker, Hoof Rehabilitation Specialist
"Yes, it's a "horse" book... but really, it's so much more. This book is about relationships, choices, acceptance, trust, compromise, and love. Take the horses out of it, if you wish, and it tells stories of life lessons and teaches that the quality of life is often in the choices we make."
Susan Sherlock
Recording Artist
"I am amazed and in awe...and I'm a tough, cynical woman. The ideas in this book are phenomenal."
Holly Hazard
Innovations Director
Humane Society of the United States
"It's lovely! I found myself wiping away a tear on more than one occasion. I like the mix of 'fable' and real stories from Joe's own farm and experiences."
Gaynor Renwick
Manager, Horses First Racing Club; Warminster, England
"Joe Camp's The Soul of a Horse: Life Lessons from the Herd presents the history and majesty of equines in a way that truly touches the heart weaving an engaging tapestry of writings that explore the evolutionary development of horses along with Camp's present day relationship with the horses that have chosen him as their leader. A treasure map leading to untold riches."
Candace Runaas
The World Magazine
"I simply love the way Joe Camp writes. He stirs my soul. He has successfully woven his personal story with horses into a spellbinding book. I have cheered and cried as I have read the pages of this advance copy. This is a must-read book for everyone."
Debbie Soderberg Kirchner
Teacher
"I couldn't stop reading this book!! I stayed up way too late, but I finished it--every word of it. It made me feel like a kid again, when I hid under the covers past my bedtime to read all the Walter Farley Black Stallion books. The Soul of a Horse is a great book, written with compassion, allowing the reader to live the experience. I am in awe of how Joe Camp has managed to compile the Natural Horse wisdom into such a nurturing and personal format. Thank you so much Joe Camp for enriching my life!"
Laurra Maddock
Owner, Ortega Mountain Ranch
"I was so excited to read this awesome book that I could not stop until I was finished. Joe is a great story teller. He has managed to pull together all of the aspects that make up this new paradigm and has done so in a manner that is somehow both gentle and forgiving to the reader as well as absolutely unquestionable. There will be so many horses (and people) that will benefit tremendously from this book! What a blessing Joe Camp is."
Terry Jenkins
Retired Zoo Sanctuary Manager; Animal Advocate
See Q&A with Joe about the book
Saddle up your horses
We've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder
of God's amazing grace.
Let's follow our leader
into the glorious unknown.
This is life like no other
This is the great adventure.
Steven Curtis Chapman
Click the Fish!
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Monty Roberts praises Joe's upcoming book The Soul of a Horse
World reknowned trainer of championship horses and author of the New York Times Best Seller The Man Who Listens to Horses, in his Foreword to Joe's upcoming new book The Soul of a Horse says, "Imagine how inadequate it makes me feel to realize how recently Joe came into horses. The man is a natural when it comes to understanding how animals tick and a genius at telling us their story. The Soul of a Horse is a must-read for those who love animals of any specie."
See Q&A with Joe about the book
The Soul of a Horse will be published April 29, 2008 by Harmony Books, an imprint of Random House, the nation's largest publisher.
Naked is Natural
Our mission is to help spread the concept of naked, natural, humane, healthy horsemanship as far and wide as possible because with every new recruit we know there are horses out there who are healthier, being treated better, with terrific relationships being forged based on trust and communication. We bring our concerns and efforts for the humane treatment and adoption of homeless pets into the equine world and will be tireless advocates for the humane training and treatment of horses. (See The Soul of a Horse ). During our reasonably short journey into the world of horses, we've learned that we are humans. But our horses are not! We are solitary animals, cave dwellers, predators, fight animals. Our horses are none of the above. They like the wide open spaces. They must have a herd to be happy and healthy. They have no need whatsoever for warm clothes, or shoes (see column to the left). Genetically, horses want to move ten to fifteen miles a day. We've discovered that keeping them cooped up in a box stall, away from the herd, standing in one place all day is so unhealthy, for so many reasons (Natural Pasture). We've also learned that there is no need whatsoever to treat a horse cruelly and without respect. That your horse will be far more willing and eager to please when your relationship is built upon a caring partnership that begins with choice. Theirs. The difference it can make is truly amazing because today, with folks like Monty Roberts, Clinton Anderson, John Lyons, Charles Wilhelm, Stacy Westfall, and the Parelli's at your side, you can go from zero to a hundred in a very short time. You can understand how to communicate with your horse, gain her trust, and how to make her a willing and eager partner. I can't tell you what a great feeling swept over me the first time I took our first horse into the round pen and did a Monty Roberts "Join-Up"... and it worked! Naked Horsemanship is a concept that addresses everything from habitat to how you ride. Read about why a mountain of research says it's better for you and your horse. Click below.
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Read About
The Soul of a Horse Horsemanship.
It's Never Too Late!
See Q&A with Joe about the book
Read About Benji's first movie with horses: Mustang Lost
View the New Video of Our Herd: Dancing Barefoot
Read the article:
We're the Dog People Right? Why Horses?
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Barefoot Winners!
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Many thanks for stopping by. We bring our concerns and efforts for the humane treatment and adoption of homeless pets into the equine world and will be tireless advocates for the humane treatment, care, and training of horses.
Newest Arrival!
Joe and Mouse, our new yearling filly adopted from the Animal Rescue League of Iowa who saved her from abusive, grotesque living conditions. Click here or the photo to read her amazing story and keep up with her progress.
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