Can Hooves Take Care of Themselves? Exploring the “Do Nothing” Barefoot Philosophy

Is it possible to ditch the trimmer and let nature do the work? Here's what the natural wear advocates believe—and why it’s sparking debate.

What Is the “Do Nothing” Approach?

In the barefoot horse world, a bold idea is gaining ground: that horses don’t need regular trimming—if we manage them like their wild counterparts. Proponents of this natural wear philosophy believe domestic horses can self-maintain their hooves through movement and environment, just like mustangs do in the wild.

Core Beliefs Behind the Method:

Horses evolved to walk 10–20 miles daily over diverse terrain.

Hooves naturally adapt and self-balance if given the right conditions.

Trimming, even with good intentions, can over-correct or interfere with natural function.

Diet, movement, and environment matter more than farrier tools.

How Natural Wear Advocates Manage Their Horses:

Track systems or paddock paradises to encourage constant movement.

Abrasive surfaces like gravel, rock, and packed dirt to simulate wild terrain.

No stabling and minimal time on soft pasture.

Low-sugar, forage-based diets rich in variety and minerals.

Why It’s So Controversial:

Most domestic horses live in environments that don’t provide enough movement or natural abrasion. Even with the best intentions—especially here in the UK—can owners truly replicate the dry, arid conditions of the US Great Basin mustangs? The true environment of the mustang is often misunderstood or not accurately recreated, leading to gaps in practice.

Without trimming, some horses develop flares, long toes, or under-run heels—issues that can go unnoticed to the untrained eye.

Often overlooked by owners is the strain placed on the horse by modern workloads, rider skill, and the quality of horsemanship. Something that their wild counterpart do not have to deal with.

Critics argue that this philosophy can lead to avoidable suffering when intervention is withheld on principle rather than observation.

What the Supporters Say:

Hoof issues usually stem from poor diet or environment—not the lack of trimming.

They cite long-term success stories of sound, untrimmed horses.

Many distrust conventional trimming, seeing it as artificial or excessive.

A Balanced Middle Ground:

Many natural horse care practitioners now promote a least-invasive approach—making small adjustments only when necessary, and allowing the horse to guide the process. This method respects natural wear while staying open to intervention when the environment isn’t working in the horse’s favour.

My training with the ISNHCP taught me four guiding principles:

1. Leave that which should be there.

2. Remove only that which would be naturally worn away in the wild.

3. Allow to grow that which should be there but is not, due to human interference.

4. Ignore all pathology.

Final Thought:

The “do nothing” approach isn’t truly about doing nothing. It’s about creating the right conditions and trusting the horse’s body to adapt and thrive. But it requires deep commitment, constant observation, and—above all—an open mind.

If you're considering this path, do so with professional guidance and regular check-ins. Even nature benefits from a little support when it's asked to perform in an unnatural world.

Finally, it's essential to research your Natural horse care professional. Can they assist you in creating the ideal environment for your horse? Do they consider the horse as a whole, and most importantly, can they provide evidence of their previous work?