If Barefoot is Good Enough For The Police; It Is Good Enough for Primrose!

This fab picture  shows a lovely example of a healthy, naturally trimmed hoof that I have sourced from Ken Mulry of the Mounted Police Department Patrol USA.

I think that it is great news that the police departments in Houston, Madison, Las Vegas, Tampa in the USA have consistently found barefoot natural hoof care is better in every way.

Here is what Ken had to say…

“We are often asked why our horses don’t wear anything on their feet. We choose to keep our horses barefoot because the natural hoof has superior shock absorption and traction as well as being quieter… and that way, we can sneak up on the bad guys!”

As well as forming part of the Madison Police Department Mounted Patrol Officer Ken Mulry is also the units Natural Hoof Care practitioner.

Ken says “Keeping a police horse working barefoot requires a very healthy hoof that is well conditioned to stand up to harsh surfaces such as abrasive pavement, rocky railroad tracks and occasional broken glass and debris.”

Ken feels that there are three main factors which effect hoof quality. These are;

1.) The horse’s diet (nutrition)

2.) Lifestyle

3.) Hoof care.

The importance of a consistent diet that is low in sugar and starch is critical to growing a strong, well-connected hoof wall. A hoof wall that is straight and smooth (free of raised horizontal rings) allows the sole to build to optimum thickness.

I think the lifestyle of these horses sound fantastic. Ken informs that their horses live in a natural boarding facility where they live outside 24/7/365 in a small herd on a track system. The bulk of their diet is hay that is tested for sugar, starch and protein as well as other minerals. They are fed a daily supplement that is customised based on the hay test results. The surface of their track  consists of dirt and rocks which promote a dry hoof that is well stimulated. The hoof will respond to the increased stimulation by becoming tougher.

Ken says “Although we predominantly ride barefoot, we occasionally encounter situations that require us to consider the limitations of the natural hoof. The surfaces we work on are very abrasive and if extended periods of wetness soften the hoof, sometimes wear can out-pace new growth. We rotate horses to give them a break from the environmental stress but we also use hoof boots to protect the hooves while preserving all of the benefits that going barefoot allows.

The horse’s hoof is a very well designed structure that has evolved over 60 million years. By understanding how the hoof works, we are able to maintain it in such a fashion as to maximize its ability to function.”

How is that for great news from the Mounted Police Department USA?