The Horse's Hoof

08/28/2026

Read about: 🏖️ Desert Horse Hooves Move to Tennessee by Joe Camp 🏖️ Learn about Regenerative Grazing 🏖️ A Natural, Barefoot Cutting Horse 🏖️ Consteed Smart Hoof Boot in Action at Equine Affaire
The Horse's Hoof Barefoot News August 2026!
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08/25/2026

Don't miss the new August Issue!

The Horse's Hoof Barefoot News August 2026 is released!
Sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/thehorseshoof/50-giveaway
What's in this issue? 🏖️ Desert Horse Hooves Move to Tennessee by Joe Camp 🏖️ Learn about Regenerative Grazing 🏖️ A Natural, Barefoot Cutting Horse 🏖️ Consteed Smart Hoof Boot in Action at Equine Affaire 🏖️ And more!

08/24/2026

The Horse's Hoof Barefoot News August 2026 is released!
Sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/thehorseshoof/50-giveaway
What's in this issue? 🏖️ Desert Horse Hooves Move to Tennessee by Joe Camp 🏖️ Learn about Regenerative Grazing 🏖️ A Natural, Barefoot Cutting Horse 🏖️ Consteed Smart Hoof Boot in Action at Equine Affaire 🏖️ And more!

08/21/2026

Have you wondered how barefoot is currently faring in various show and competition disciplines around the world? Even if you do not compete, the world of horse sports and events has tremendous, far-reaching influence. Here's a roundup of the latest developments in barefoot and natural hoof care, drawing from recent competitions, research, and community trends.

Show Jumping
Julien Epaillard of France continues leading the barefoot charge! His 2025 FEI Jumping World Cup Final win with his homebred 12-year-old Selle Français gelding Donatello d’Auge carried momentum into 2026 events, with consistent elite placings. Epaillard is known for keeping all his horses barefoot, including Donatello. He uses hoof boots or plastic shoes only occasionally for specific conditions like grass or poor footing. Swedish stars Peder Fredricson and Henrik von Eckermann, early adopters of barefoot horses at the highest levels, maintain multiple barefoot top horses, with strong early 2026 results. The USA's Karl Cook took over Julien Epaillard's mare Caracole de la Roque in 2023. She has always competed barefoot and continues to do so under Cook, with top barefoot wins into 2026.

Dressage
The superstars out of Belgium are Justin Verboomen with his black stallion, Zonik Plus. This barefoot dressage stallion secured double gold at the 2025 European Championships and holds the World No. 1 ranking in 2026. Verboomen reports improved leg health, no swelling, and easier turnout, all keys for long-term soundness. With so much barefoot show jumping success out there, it curious that Zonik is such a rarity in his discipline - with so few FEI barefoot dressage horses! Is this simply because of tradition? Surely the soft surfaces of a dressage arena lend itself to the natural barefoot hoof form. Do the barefoot horses move too smoothly and naturally for modern dressage (not flashy enough)? ...

Read more in last month's issue of Barefoot News! (July 2026)

08/19/2026

Just a Guy Running Free with his Horse!

Carl Layer, on Instagram , is a German obstetrician (assistant doctor) based in Munich, known on Instagram for his posts about horsemanship, ultrarunning, and his work in obstetrics.

Carl frequently shares content about training and bonding with his horse Pegasus (including long runs together, even through urban spots like a McDonald's drive-thru), trail running, and lifestyle posts. His approach to horsemanship emphasizes minimal use of reins/bit (working with no bit, bridle or even halter) and building a strong connection. Pegasus, a 21-year-old warmblood who lives in an open stable, wears Cavallo Hoof Boots!

Enjoy Carl's amazing viral video:
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DavkL6tMmXB/

08/15/2026

Just a pony's hind hoof!

08/14/2026

Just a pony's front hoof!

08/12/2026

Just another morning at Wishing Welz Ranch in Marlin, Texas!

08/07/2026

From July Barefoot News:
UK Trainer Endorses Barefoot Race Training

"It's very different, but it's worked for us!" United Kingdom racehorse trainer Chelsea Banham recently discussed how she trains her horses barefoot, and has even raced some successfully barefoot!

In a recent interview, Sky Sports Racing journalist asked: "This is the horse that doesn't run with any shoes on, is that right?"

Chelsea Banham: "We have quite a few with no shoes on, but actually funny enough, he's actually been giving himself speedy cuts on the turnoff. We run them and the shoes come straight off as soon as we come back home. So they actually all train barefoot, just to help their soles, their heels re-engage, and stuff like that. We've taken them off, and I've already looked today, and he's not cut himself at all. And as soon as we put the shoes back on, I don't know if he tries to get too quick for his own good, but he can knick himself on the inside of his hind legs."

The journalist continues: "I love it, it is just so unusual in horse racing!"
Chelsea Banham: "Yeah, I know, it's very different, but it's worked for us and it has worked for a few horses as well, who didn't actually move as well with them on, and then we took the shoes off and they actually move better. It does work, not for all, but for a good majority."

Racehorses are generally not allowed to race fully barefoot (unshod) in the UK under British Horseracing Authority (BHA) rules, though limited exceptions or partial shoeing (e.g., no hind shoes) are possible with prior dispensation, and practices have varied by surface and case. Chelsea Banham probably received permission to run with no hind shoes, as fully unshod (barefoot) racing is effectively not permitted as standard and requires exceptional approval. But, who knows? We'd love to find out more details!

Enjoy the full video clip from Sky Sports Racing:
https://x.com/AtTheRaces/status/2074153578852175992

Sign up directly for The Horse's Hoof Barefoot News right here:
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08/05/2026

Timing and Feel.
I’ve been thinking about these particular concepts lately, especially after 2 of the great equestrian change makers passed away. One developed clicker training specifically for horses - Alexandra Kurland. The other brought natural horsemanship and nonviolent training methods to ordinary horseowners - Monty Roberts. Both rippled out their influence upon the entire horse world in a mind-blowing way.

Both influenced me. I bought Alexandra’s clicker training book when it was a binder of photo copies. Initially, I simply taught tricks to my horses, but eventually I did study R+. I attended Monty’s Join Up clinic in the 90’s, and what I saw changed me. Later on, I explored many different “natural horsemanship” methods, but what I saw that first night permeated me.

Timing and feel are the common threads that bind together all great horsemanship - in its myriad of forms. The great classical masters described these concepts, but for an ambitious young rider, they seem like magical qualities that could never be fully defined or contained, and remained somehow elusive.

What I’ve come to realize, on this long and winding road of horsemanship that began in the late 80’s for me, and continues to this day, is that I can now define the elusive concept of “Timing and Feel”. You will demonstrate good timing and feel when you have an inner sense of justice for your treatment of the horse, who will inherently respond to that justice, and you appropriately apply BOTH positive reinforcement AND negative reinforcement, as needed, for your communication and training of the horse. Reinforcement is just a tool. The KEY is your own sense of justice which uses each appropriately, with clarity, and with calmness. And… remember, horses are very forgiving of our mistakes.