Natural balance trimming and shoeing: its theory and application.

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Natural Balance Trimming and Shoeing Ovnicek, Page and Trotter synthesised decades of observational work on wild horse biomechanics into a coherent framework for optimising domestic equine foot function through trimming and shoeing principles. Their approach draws substantially from hoof imprint analysis conducted in the mid-1980s, which revealed naturally evolved patterns of weight distribution and wear in unshod populations, subsequently refined through ongoing research to address the specific demands placed on domestic horses. The natural balance method prioritises restoring functional geometry to the foot—including appropriate palmar angle, breakover point and load distribution—with the premise that mechanically efficient feet experience less stress and pathology. For practitioners, this represents a departure from traditional trimming conventions toward evidence-based geometry that mirrors what wild horses achieve through self-maintenance, potentially reducing lameness, navicular disease and other common pathologies arising from biomechanical compromise. Understanding these principles allows farriers, veterinarians and rehabilitation specialists to work cohesively towards foot health, particularly when addressing performance horses or those with existing lower-limb problems.

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Key Findings

• •Natural balance trimming and shoeing principles are based on wild horse hoof imprint studies conducted in 1986-1987
• •The technique is designed to optimize foot efficiency and function in domestic horses
• •Principles have evolved from wild horse biomechanics research and been adapted for domestic horse application

Conditions Studied