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Please consider making a tax deductible contribution to the AANHCP. In the spirit of the forthcoming holidays, we would like to send you a gift in return for any donations made to the AANHCP between now and Dec. 31st, 2012. Send a $50 donation to the AANHCP and we will send you a complimentary copy of The Natural Trim: Principles and Practice - autographed by Jaime Jackson to the person of your choice upon request - with free shipping (anywhere in the world). For an additional $10 (a $60 donation), we will include a Hoof Meter Reader. If you donate $100 or more, we will include two copies of Paddock Paradise to your package of gifts - one for you and an extra copy to give away or donate, for example, to a local equestrian club, school or community library. Click HERE to make your donation through paypal or credit card.

Radiograph of wild horse hoof (a,b) showing P3 position relative to digital axis (x) [AANHCP Archives]

Our certified practitioners use the foot of the wild horse as our model for trimming as a result of the landmark studies by AANHCP Founder, Jaime Jackson, on more than 1000 wild horse hooves. That research found universal traits that we encourage and 'mimic' through our trimming methods -- no deviation in hoof wall angle, natural concavity, uniformity of thickness of hoof wall and what he called a 'mustang roll' around the bottom of the hoof wall resulting in a trim that is non-invasive, encourages strong, healthy hooves, and removes only what nature would remove in the wild.

The professional NHC Training Program formerly taught through the AANHCP was restructured in 2009 and is now taught by Jaime Jackson and other authorized instructors on behalf of the "Institute for the Study of Natural Horse Care Practices" (ISNHCP).  The AANHCP continues to be the certifying body for NHC students who successfully complete the ISNHCP's educational program.  All Student and Certified Practitoners must sign an Oath of Adherence to the AANHCP Trimming Guideines and are subject to the Disciplinary Policy of the AANHCP should they be found in violation of that oath.

It is the position of the AANHCP that ALL HORSES can be barefoot.  Don't let anyone suggest otherwise.....

Other elements of NHC are diet, management & care and riding.  Unless a horse is provided a 'reasonably natural diet' along with other elements critical to the biology of the species, such as socialization with other equines, freedom to move without restriction, isolation or confinement 24/7, and allowed to forage in a free choice manner, he or she is unlikely to be healthy.  Since the health of the horse shows up in its hooves, critical clues to the health of your horse will show up far in advance of major illness. 

The data used by the AANHCP is a result of the research and findings by Jaime Jackson in the 1980s in the U.S. Great Basin.  When adhered to properly, the AANHCP trimming guidelines prevent invasive trimming practices as well as methods that leave excessive growth which have a deleterious impact on the hoof's integrity and soundness. Contrary to the misguided opinions of its detractors, the wild horse model does not imply or yield a "cookie cutter" approach to trimming but instead facilitates the unique individual healthy growth patterns of each horse without causing harm or obstructing the natural gaits.

There is a lot of valuable information posted on the "News & Articles" page here on this website.  Reading these will help you better understand how so many traditional horsekeeping practices compromise the health and happiness of domestic horses worldwide.  From nailed-on shoes and most domestic grass pastures to confinement in stalls, feeding in an unnatural manner or isolating horses from other members of its species, there are numerous practices that cause harm physical harm and mental anguish (which can manifest in a physically harmful manner) that can easily be changed if attitudes about these animals change.

We are presently in the process of developing a headquarters for conducting research and creating models to further educate and inspire the public.  But we need your help to make this a reality. 

You may donate in a number of ways! Send any amount to the AANHCP using PayPal using the email address " This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it " as the recipient. Or, click on "Payments to the AANHCP" on menu at left and make a payment using your Visa or Mastercard. Or please send check, payable to the AANHCP, to us at P.O. Box 1432 Lompoc, CA 93438.

Please consider us in your estate-planning! Contact Jill at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you wish to discuss arrangments on bequeathing funds to the AANHCP or making financial and natural care arrangements for your horse(s) upon your passing. Or simply request that your funds go to help those horses we know of who are in need of healing, rehabilitation, rescue, and/or permanent natural care.

If you would be willing to make land available to the AANHCP to use as a model for natural horsekeeping practices, we are in the process of developing non-profit natural boarding and rehabilitation facilities across the country in order to demonstrate how a proper diet, movement and living among other horses are essential components to a healthy and happy horse. Land could be donated and signed over to the AANHCP or simply 'designated' on a long-term, no-cost lease.

The AANHCP is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Please confirm with your tax consultant regarding IRS deduction benefits.

Pictured from left are Sr. Officer Scott Berry, Jaime Jackson, AANHCP CP Eddie Drabek, Sargent Gregory Sokoloski, Sr. Office Danny Pryor and Lt. Randall Wallace, who was responsible for allowing the officers to bring natural hoof care and natural horsekeeping practices to the Unit. A huge congratulations to all involved at the second largest mounted patrol unit in the country.

 

T

he Austin Police Mounted unit, first formed in 1984, began the process of 'going barefoot' after the unit supervisor, Sergeant Anthony French, attended a natural hoof care clinic held by members of the Houston Police Department's Mounted Patrol Unit (where all 38 horses are barefoot). After getting the green light from 'upper managment' to go forward, Sgt. French hired Joel Means (CP-Texas) to pull the shoes off the first horse on April 2nd, 2007.

"Overall, I would rate the program as a success from the start," said Sgt. French. "I don’t recall any major set backs in association with transitioning a horse to barefoot that resulted in lost working time for the horse. We wanted to be more natural and felt that this would benefit the horses overall to allow their feet to function as designed by nature," added Sgt. French. "We also saw an increase in confidence in footing on the pavement in both the horses and the riders. We have boots for each horse that are used as needed."