Why Use the Wild Horse Model?
by Yvonne Welz ©2007 Not all barefoot methods use a “wild horse model” as a focus for trimming guidelines — for instance, some use a mathematical model, while others use a self-trimming domestic horse model. However, the “Wild Horse Model” is probably the most popular model for trimming, for one good reason: it works! The most important thing to remember is: location, location, location! In other words, the horse’s location & environment are everything! The horse’s hoof is an incredibly adaptive structure that very simply attempts to adapt to whatever situation it exists in. Wild horses live in various terrain and environments throughout the world, and their hooves, shaped by their living situations, are equally different in so many ways. Here is a feral South African horse that lives in wet terrain: Feral South African horse – wet And here is a feral South African horse that lives in dry terrain: Feral South African horse – dry Notice that the wet terrain horse’s hooves resemble “mud
