FAQ’s

An NHC (Natural Hoof Care) Practitioner goes beyond just trimming hooves. While a generic trimmer may focus solely on shaping the hoof capsule, an NHC Practitioner takes a holistic approach—helping owners recreate the natural, adaptive environment that wild horses thrive in. This includes not only proper hoof care but also guidance on diet, movement, social interaction, and habitat. The real issue with many domesticated horses is that their lifestyle often prevents healthy, natural hoof wear and development. My role is to support both the horse and owner in restoring that natural balance.

Oats—especially when soaked in my opinion—can be a valuable addition to many horses’ diets. They’re not just a source of digestible energy; they also provide essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of muscles, tissues, and vital organs. While some horses may appear more energetic on oats, what they’re really getting is nutrition their body can use.

Oats have been time-tested in environments like the Lompoc Paddock Paradise and are part of their AANHCP Recommended Diet. That said, not every horse will benefit from oats—particularly those prone to or recovering from acute laminitis. As with any feed, it’s about knowing your individual horse’s needs and adjusting accordingly.

Not exactly—but we have created living conditions that conflict with how horses are naturally designed to live. Domestication hasn’t changed the horse’s DNA so much as it has removed the natural stimuli their bodies rely on to stay healthy. In their wild, adaptive environments, horses develop strong, functional hooves through constant movement, healthy foraging, and exposure to varied terrain.

The concept of “breeding the hooves out” is really about how far removed domestic lifestyles are from nature’s original plan. Natural Horse Care (NHC) works to bridge that gap. By mimicking the environment of wild horses—especially the U.S. Great Basin wild horse model—we can reintroduce the natural forces that shape healthy hooves and bodies.

Lompoc Paddock Paradise, developed and documented by Jaime Jackson over 8 years, shows how powerful these adaptive forces are. Horses kept in environments that support their natural behaviours consistently show healing, vitality, and long-term soundness.

I truly appreciate your interest—Natural Hoof Care (NHC) attracts curious and passionate people. But as a professional, I’ve learned that offering a behind-the-scenes experience isn’t as simple as it may seem. What I do is the result of years of study, practice, and dedication to a very specific method rooted in the original NHC philosophy.

In today’s landscape, it’s common to see weekend clinics or mix-and-match learning approaches. Unfortunately, this often leads to confusion and diluted understanding—especially in cases as serious as laminitis. Many well-meaning horse owners and practitioners adopt bits and pieces of various methods, but without a solid foundation, that can do more harm than good.

If you’re genuinely interested in learning, I recommend starting with the established NHC literature, particularly the works of Jaime Jackson. They provide a clear, honest, and time-tested framework. And when you’re ready for a more structured learning path, I’d be happy to point you in the right direction.

You’re absolutely right—there are many schools of thought when it comes to hoof care. But my commitment to the ISNHCP (Institute for the Study of Natural Horse Care Practices) and Jaime Jackson’s model comes from direct experience. After studying his work closely and applying the Four Pillars of Natural Hoof Care in real-world conditions, I’ve seen transformational results in horses’ health and soundness.

The U.S. Wild Horse Model—tested over eight years at Lompoc Paddock Paradise—offers a clear, evidence-based foundation. The outcomes were thoroughly documented and consistently positive, making it hard to ignore the model’s effectiveness. While other approaches may offer bits and pieces of insight, this method stands out for its integrity, consistency, and holistic depth.

That said, it’s not always easy to implement. The further we drift from what’s natural and appropriate for the species, the more complicated—and costly—it becomes to recreate those conditions in domestic settings. But when we align with nature instead of working against it, the payoff in the horse’s health and quality of life is truly remarkable.

That’s a valid concern—and yes, financial sustainability matters. But what often goes unnoticed is the hidden cost of not making these changes. Many common equine health issues—laminitis, metabolic disorders, behavioral problems—stem from unnatural diets, restricted movement, and boarding environments that conflict with a horse’s biological needs.

While the initial setup of a more natural lifestyle may require thought and effort, it often pays off long-term. The older a horse gets, the higher the risk of chronic issues that are not only heartbreaking but also expensive to treat. So the real question becomes: why pay the vet later when you could invest in a lifetime of soundness now?

Natural Horse Care isn’t about perfection—it’s about moving closer to what’s appropriate for the species. Even small changes can reduce future costs and dramatically improve your horse’s wellbeing.

It’s a powerful goal—and yes, it is possible. But it depends on how consistently we align with nature’s design for the horse. The Four Pillars of Natural Hoof Care aren’t meant to overwhelm or judge anyone; they’re a framework rooted in nature’s wisdom, offering clear guidance toward long-term health.

There isn’t just one rigid way to apply NHC—just as there are many paths in horsemanship. Each horse-human partnership is unique. But the closer we move toward providing the right movement, diet, environment, and hoof care, the more we see soundness not as a lucky exception—but as the natural outcome.

Ultimately, it’s about doing better where we can, and staying open to learning. That alone creates powerful change for our horses’ wellbeing.

That’s a great question—and one that comes up often. It’s completely your choice whether to follow your veterinarian’s advice or to explore the principles behind the Natural Trim as taught in Natural Hoof Care (NHC). My goal is always to help both horses and their owners reach their highest potential through informed, holistic care.

Veterinary medicine has made incredible advances, but many vets haven’t yet had the opportunity to study naturally shaped hooves in depth. NHC offers a different perspective—one grounded in the form and function of wild, naturally sound hooves. This approach is still relatively new in academic circles, but the results speak for themselves.

If you’re curious, I invite you to explore the resources and case studies shared throughout this site. You may find they fill in some of the missing pieces and offer a deeper understanding of what truly supports long-term hoof health.

Absolutely. The Natural Trim, as taught through the ISNHCP and based on Jaime Jackson’s research, is built on the foundational belief that we must honor the hoof’s natural structures—even when pathology is present. The focus isn’t on making the hoof look right, but on supporting the internal systems so the hoof can truly function right.

For instance, if a hoof has a low-angle toe that’s running forward, simply rasping it back to create the illusion of balance doesn’t solve the underlying issue. In fact, that often weakens the hoof wall, disrupts its natural thickness, and creates more problems over time. Instead, we look at how the hoof is meant to grow and interact with the environment—guided by the U.S. Great Basin Wild Horse Model.

Natural hoof balance, angle of growth, and horn quality all improve when we trim in harmony with what the hoof should be, not what we wish it looked like. The hoof actually adapts and reshapes over time—something that’s clearly visible when this method is applied consistently.

If you’re truly interested in understanding the hoof, I highly recommend Jaime Jackson’s writings. His work provides a complete framework that sets this approach apart from other training programs.

That’s an excellent question—and yes, you’re right, the climate here in Europe is very different from that of the U.S. Great Basin. But the model isn’t about copying the climate—it’s about understanding the horse’s adaptive blueprint.

The wild horses of the Great Basin are not a separate species; they are genetically the same as our domesticated horses. What makes them so valuable to study is the environment they live in—a landscape free from human interference, where horses thrive without the chronic issues we see in domestication. Their hooves are healthy, free of stress rings and deformities, offering living proof of how the equine body responds in its natural habitat.

This tells us something critical: the Great Basin resembles the kind of biome horses originally evolved in. It’s not that we must replicate it exactly here in Europe, but that we can mimic the principles—freedom of movement, natural herd dynamics, constant low-nutrition foraging, and terrain diversity. These are the foundations of Natural Horse Care.

By applying this model through thoughtful, regionally appropriate design, we support the horse’s biology—regardless of where we live. The closer we get to their adaptive environment, the more nature takes over—and the healthier our horses become.

Absolutely—every horse is an individual, and their unique history, health status, and environment should always be considered. However, general dietary guidelines serve as a safe starting point. They reflect what’s broadly appropriate for the equine species, based on what we know about their natural diet, digestion, and metabolic needs.

These guidelines are not meant to override specific care decisions. Horses with metabolic conditions, dental issues, chronic illness, or advanced age may need tailored solutions, supplements, or adjustments to their living setup. In fact, Natural Horse Care encourages this kind of observation and adaptation.

But even with individual variation, there are common denominators. The vast majority of chronic conditions we see in horses today—like laminitis, EMS, CPL, and Cushing’s—are strongly diet-related. Prevention through a species-appropriate, low-NSC (non-structural carbohydrate) diet is far more effective than trying to treat these problems after they arise.

The Reasonably Natural Diet offers a flexible yet principled foundation for feeding. As long as we remain grounded in NHC principles, there’s plenty of room to customize while still protecting the horse’s long-term health.

Great question—performance horses do need more fuel, but the key is quality, not just quantity. The goal is to provide energy and nutrients that build a strong, healthy body—without triggering issues like sugar overload, inflammation, or metabolic stress.

Oats and other seeds can be an excellent source of digestible energy and amino acids. But they’re not the only option. Other whole seeds and nutrient-dense feeds can also provide valuable calories while supporting muscle development and recovery.

It’s important to understand that grass alone—even lush pasture—can be misleading. It may make a horse appear to be in good condition, but it often contributes to fat gain rather than true muscle building. That’s because grass is high in sugars, which can also stress the metabolism, even in athletic horses.

Muscle, strength, and endurance come from a diet rich in amino acids, healthy fats, and a balanced omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. Electrolytes and minerals are also essential, especially for horses sweating during work.

So yes—your horse needs more fuel for the work he’s doing. But how we choose that fuel makes all the difference.

That’s a very valid concern—there’s a sea of products and opinions out there, and it can be hard to know what truly benefits your horse.

I don’t claim to be a nutritionist, nor do I try to replace that role. Instead, I focus on applying what has been tested and consistently proven to work in real-life settings—particularly within the Natural Horse Care (NHC) developed by Jaime Jackson.

Jaime’s decades of field research, including the long-term observations at the AANHCP Paddock Paradise in Lompoc (with Jill Willis), have laid the foundation for what’s now known as the Reasonably Natural Diet. These findings are based on documented results from horses living in a simulated adaptive environment. This makes them some of the most practical and grounded dietary insights we currently have.

To this day, there is no comprehensive scientific research on what wild, free-roaming horses in their natural habitat truly eat. That means we must rely on careful observation, practical testing, and results over time. Any supplement or product we introduce into the horse’s diet should be used with thoughtful caution—not blind certainty.

If you’re unsure about a product, observe the hooves and overall condition. The body doesn’t lie. Healthy growth patterns, calm behavior, and soundness will speak louder than labels.