Natural hoof care

Natural hoof care is the holistic approach to horse hoof care based on the wild horse model, including natural boarding (Paddock Paradise natural horse boarding), natural horsemanship, a reasonably natural diet, and the natural trim itself.^: 32 Modeled after the hooves of the U.S. Great Basin wild, free-roaming horse, natural hoof care consists of four distinct pillars known as Four Pillars of Natural Horse Care. The term was coined by Jackson and published in his book, The Natural Trim: Principles and Practice.^: 26

This progressive approach to hoof care is rooted in the understanding that nature, through 55 million years of evolution, has crafted a hoof that functions flawlessly without the need for shoes.^: 32 Jackson claims that when maintained through natural, non-invasive trimming method such as the natural trim, the unshod hoof consistently outperforms its shod counterpart.^: 32

Jaime Jackson claims that conventional horseshoeing, especially when paired with other artificial care practices, is a major contributor to lameness and long-term unsoundness.^: 32 Horseshoes interfere with the hoof’s natural mechanics—hindering circulation, dulling sensory feedback, introducing injury and infection through nails, and disrupting the body's thermal and structural balance. Over time, these effects compromise both equine wellbeing and rider safety. In contrast, embracing the natural hoof honors both the biology and the spirit of the horse, offering a path to soundness, longevity, and humane care.