Wild horses naturally maintained their hooves through constant movement over varied terrain.
Natural Hoof Care in the Wild
In their natural environment, wild horses had a built-in system for keeping their hooves healthy and properly shaped. Unlike domestic horses, who often live in less varied environments, wild horses roam vast distances every day.
According to information from February 19, 2021, wild horses maintained their own hooves by moving many kilometres a day across a variety of surfaces.
- Constant Movement: Covering significant distances daily is key.
- Variety of Surfaces: Traversing different ground types like rocks, sand, dirt, and grass.
This consistent activity on abrasive surfaces causes a natural wear and tear process. The movement across these surfaces effectively "trims" the hooves on a continual basis, keeping them in good condition and at an appropriate length.
Why Domestic Horses Need Farrier Care
A domestic horse is unable to wear their hooves down as nature intended. Restricted living areas, softer footing, and reduced daily travel mean their hooves don't experience the same natural abrasion as their wild counterparts. This is why domestic horses require regular care from a farrier (a hoof care specialist) to trim, shape, and potentially shoe their hooves to prevent overgrowth, cracking, and other problems.
Essentially, for wild horses, movement across abrasive surfaces was their natural form of hoof care.
