Natural Balance Case Studies

A selection of case studies in whih the principle of Natural Balance Farriery have been applied resulting significant improvements in the subject horse soundness and well being.

Cherokee's Case Study

Cherokee TB x Hanoverian 13 Year Old

The first signs of anything wrong were when Cherokee started to grow double soles on both front hoofs, he also became reluctant to walk downhill and developed splints on all four legs whilst turned out to rest. The situation started to escalate in 2006 when Cherokee became intermittently lame. At first strangely it was only at walk and turned sharply, being sound in trot and canter.

I had a chiropractor to see Cherokee, he did improve for a while, but then regressed. I took him for x-rays which showed his toes were very long, the hoof was distorted and out of balance with broken hoof pastern axis. The vet suggested toes cut back and natural balance shoes, which helped for a short while.

When lameness returned I took Cherokee to an Equine Hospital where he was nerve blocked, x rayed and had scintigraphy which showed a hop stop on P2 it suggested I had Cherokee shod with natural balance shoes with a raised heel, which I did. Unfortunately the shoes were fitted incorrectly with his natural heels not being level before the shoes were put on and the toes being cut off square not allowing the break over. At this point I found a Farrier who is a certified lameness specialist, who recognised the problem immediately.

Declan's Case Study

If it's not broke don't fix it? Vs Prevention always better than cure!

Clive has been caring for my horse since 2004, when I asked him to take over from my existing farrier because I was concerned about the way the frogs were being drastically cut back every time the horse was shod and I could get no explanation other than "that's the way we always do it".

Declan is a 15.2hh Irish Sports horse who had a distinguished career in both eventing and show jumping before concentrating on a more sedate lifestyle doing dressage. Then aged 17 and successfully competing at Elementary / Medium level, he had no soundness issues apart from recurrent bounds of thrush but, whilst being well schooled, he was sharp to ride and handle, with a nervous temperament. His work was often spoiled by tension and he tended to offer a false outline, pulling his neck back into his shoulders and dropping his back. Given his history, I attributed this to him having a stereotypical "jumping horse" physique, with a thick column of muscle on the underside of his neck. He was receiving regular veterinary, dental and chiropractic checkups which indicated no problems, and I had his saddle checked by a master saddler every six months without fail.

Clives' initial assessment of Declan showed that his feet were out of balance - he was toe-landing, stood with his back feet further under his body than was desirable, causing unnecessary stress throughout his whole frame, and that his heavily trimmed frogs were not getting any ground contact. Clive rebalanced his feet, carefully explaining exactly what he was doing and why throughout the process, and shod him with using Natural Balance shoes.

The effect on Declan's' way of going was dramatic and instant. He came through from behind more easily, was relaxed and flexible in his back and felt more powerful. His pace marks and overall dressage scores improved, his whole outlook was calmer and less stressed, and his musculature began to change, the top line building quickly and underside of the neck noticeably relaxing. I started lunging him in just a head collar so that I could enjoy watching him work in a natural and unforced classical rounded outline. His frogs broadened and deepened until they had good ground contact and are now fat, fleshy, healthy and thrush free.

Since then Clive has continued to make foot balance adjustments as necessary as Declan's shape has changed and the horse keeps going from strength to strength. As he now does less roadwork, in January 2008 the decision was made to try him barefoot. It took approximately 3 weeks for him to fully adjust to his once rigid feet flexing and at the age of 21 he is fit, sound, calm, relaxed and working better than ever.

Clives' thorough understanding of skeletal alignment enables him and his team to give horses the best possible chance of recovering and maintain soundness and reaching their full potential, whether they are competition horses or happy hackers. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

Tara's Story

Taken from a letter to Your Horse Magazine, dated May 2005

Dear Sirs

Your recent article by Clive Meers Rainger on Natural Balance Shoeing was so understated that many horse owners may have missed the opportunity to transform their horses' way of going beyond even their highest expectations

My dressage horse had been "ticking along" quite nicely for a youngster. Her average preliminary test marks were in the mid to high sixty percents and on moving up to novice level they were mid sixty percents then, gradually her strides felt shuffling, stilted and un-level and she took ten or fifteen minutes to loosen up. She had Bowen treatment and a physiotherapist. The muscles through her quarters were sore and painful, although to ride it felt like her shoulders were the problem. The treatments always improved matters but gradually the effect was lasting less and less time between treatments and I felt we were treating the symptoms and not the cause.

A friend of mine encouraged me to try Natural Balance shoeing as Clive had been shoeing her horses with very positive results. I had nothing to loose as x-rays were my next option.

Clive spent time watching her move, both before and after fitting the shoes. The following day there was significant improvement and within five days she was fourth in a Novice Dressage Championship. She has moved from strength to strength and won the most improved horse & rider combination last summer at a top equestrian venue, nominated by three judges.

She is now affiliated and obtained her first point and fourth place at her first BD event. In six outings she had achieved two wins, two thirds and a fourth and has gained thirteen BD points. She is able to engage her quarters now and we are building solid foundations for the future thanks to Clive and Natural Balance.

People ask me if she will always need to be shod this way or if she can have "normal" shoes on again! You have got to be joking! I would never go back to second best. It's like the difference between a Ferrari and a Fiat. I know which one I'd choose - pure power!

Yours faithfully

Pauline Ticehurst