Just a quick question

[horsey-gal]

Today a woman who boards at the barn had a Natural Barefoot trimmer come in to see her horse. While she was there I overheard her talking about alot of things as far as her feet and what she was doing and why. She stood talking afterwards also, but she didn't mention diet? From what I have read and started to research ( I am far from knowledgable ) the feet health comes from a horses environment, diet AND the trim. She was telling the owner that it was NO good EVER to lunge a horse, no matter what etc. . .
I thought diet played a huge part especially in a " natural trim " am I wrong?

[seerfarm]

Correct, in that diet, importantly one that is balanced plays a big role in healthy feet.

[Sirita_88]

Diet plays a major role in just about everything. A little tidbit: a Biotin Supplement will take almost a year to be affective (from research articles I read). Longeing really isn't good for a horse because it puts a lot of stess on the joints. But sometimes we would never get anything done without it, so it is a necessary evil.

[horsey-gal]

I agree to a degree about the lunging, but IMO the trimmer had the owner upset! Also, if she's trying to get a decent hooves on her horses feet, IMO she should have gone into detail a bit about diet, exercise etc.
Just wanted to make sure I sort of knew what I was talking about.

[leadmare]

Well, some people can't dazzle with brilliance(wide range knowledge) and so they baffle with BS to make themselves seem like they know it all

Some use those scare tactics on the less than knowledgeable/beginners, it's a way for them to make one feel they need them and your horse will die without them

So sorry the woman has been spooked

Diet is a very important ingredient and should have been discussed. You are right!

[horsey-gal]

I am researching some things on the net regarding the natural trim and diet, I am going to print them for her. . . do you think this is ok? Should I stay out of it all together?

[fishing_trex]

My natural trimmer won't bring up diet unless someone specifically asks about it. He's had too many people bite his head off when he makes a recommendation without being "invited". (Apparently some people get upset if you insinuate they might be doing something less than perfect... who knew?) So if the owner didn't specifically ask about diet, perhaps that's why the trimmer didn't say anything. Was the lunging comment made after the owner said she lunges her horse? Just curious.

I don't know that I would necessarily say diet plays a huge role in natural trimming. As S88 said, diet plays a huge role in pretty much everything.

I specifically asked my trimmer about my mare with chronic thrush problems. After our discussion, I took her off all sweet feed and put her on HorseShine -- made a huge difference in her feet. After fighting thrush for almost three years, we've been thrush free since May, and the only thing I have changed is her feed/supplement.

[horsey-gal]

I will leave it alone unless asked.
Yes, the lunging comment was made after the owner commented that she often lunges her horse for exercise. Her horse is 14 years old, so not too young and she doesn't lunge for long periods, just to warm up prior to her ride.

[CatsTack]

I'm a barefoot/natural trimmer. As said above diet plays a big role in everything 'bout the horsey, just like us.

A lot of trimmers are also natural horsemanship folks. NH folks don't longe the horsey for exercise. Typically they won't let the horsey do more than 2-3 circles before asking to do something else. They use longing more as a way to gain respect from the horsey, thereby gainin' leadership status. So maybe that's y the trimmer answered the way she did.

Hope this helps