Alan Smith DAEP BEng
Equine Podiatrist
Raising Standards of Footcare

Introduction

Whether it is called barefoot, wild hoof, natural or high performance trim, the idea that horses can be better off without shoes is being taken seriously by an increasing number of people. There have been many successes, but there is still room for improvement. The emphasis of many of these methods is that the hoof should be trimmed to look like that of a feral horse. Applied Equine Podiatry takes the idea a step further by recognising that in domestication we often make greater demands on horse's feet than is required in the wild, and that the environment can be significantly different. By studying the functions of the many internal structures of the equine foot, and learning how to influence them, AEP aims for stronger, healthier, high performance feet by looking at the best that can be achieved in domestication. Instead of using gadgets & potions, this is done through a program of exercise in various environments, as well as trimming & nutrition to help give you a health, happy horse.