I turned to applied equine podiatry because I had 3 three horses lame with caudal foot pain in their front feet. They had remedial shoeing, which didn't inprove their lameness. The vet gave me two alternatives neurectomy or euthanasia. For me a neurectomy is just treating the symptom, but the problem or cause is still there. So the horse can no longer feel the pain, but the cause has not been addressed. All of these 3 horses are now sound and being regularly ridden. My horse that had been retired for 7 years, whom was shoeless, is also now sound and being regularly ridden. This in my opinion is a combination of applied equine podiatry, putting their feet into equilibrium. I also gave them regularly treatments, groundwork and then ridden work.

Applied Equine Podiaty was founded by KC La Pierre RJF MEP. He had been a practicing farrier for 23 years. Having spent several years training under a master smith at a blacksmith museum, although he was able to make a better shoe, he soon realised it was in fact the foot that he applied the shoe to, that was of upmost importance. He then asked 3 simple questions:

1. Has anatomical function of the equine foot been defined inits entirety?
2. If so, has the stimulus responsible for proper function been defined?
3. If so, do current treatments of the equine foot promote proper stimulus?

KC established a foundation for applied equine podiatry using
Structure + Function = Performance

He set about defining the structures in the equine foot. He then looked at defining the functions of those structures. And then finding the stimulus necessary to create proper function of these structures.

Applied Equine Podiatry is based on the Suspension Theory of Hoof Dynamics. the Internal Arch Theory. the High Performance Trim Model, the High Performance Trim Method and Energetics.

Our philosophies and principle are:
1. Structure + Function = Performance
2. The horse has the innate ability to heal itself, provided that the environment is conducive to healing
3. Correct pressure is the stimulus for correct growth
4. Utilize time as a dimension in the positive treatment of the equine foot
5. DO NO HARM

You would think that DO NO HARM would come first on the list. It is only when the  previous 4 principles are understood, that DO NO HARM can be implemented.

Applied Equine Podiatry is not just about a trim, it enabling the owner to take some responsibility for their horses feet. Applied Equine Podiatry is not just a trim, it is also about creating the correct environment for your horse and his feet. We are looking to achieve a state equilibrium not only in your horse's feet, but also in the horse in his entirety.

I would do a Spectrum of Useability on your horses feet each time I visit. This gives us a record of your horses feet, letting us know what structures may be lacking. We can then provide a suitable program to rehabilitate his feet.

If you decided to not wear shoes anymore, you would have to condition your feet to be able to do this. It would be okay to walk on soft surfaces to begin with. Slowly you would begin walking on other surfaces and your feet would accustomise themselves. This would be the same for your horse. We would condition his feet, so he would be able to move comfortably on various terrains.

We now have the Perfect Hoof Wear, which helps horse's transition from shoes to barefoot. Not only does the hoofwear provide protection, it also provides correct pressure, therefore creating correct growth.