TEHACHAPI, Calif. -- Steve Karshner has been a horse ferrier for over 15 years, but he said five years ago he realized the true benefits of natural hoof care, and has been rehabilitating crippled horses ever since.

In July 2008, Karshner rescued a horse named Chance from being put to sleep after he was diagnosed with navicular syndrome.

Chance's owners did everything modern medicine recommended, but still Chance could barely walk, let alone ride and work on a ranch.

“After eight months, they just had no success what so ever, and they felt it was necessary to put him down to relieve his pain,” said Karshner.

But Karshner said he knew he could rehabilitate Chance and that is exactly what he did.

The rehab started by removing the horseshoes and training Chance’s hooves to do what they were naturally made to do.

“I am not saying that no one should put a shoe on a horse, but what I am saying is that if you want a horse to be naturally functional and that foot to be as functional as possible, it’s better barefooted. And the truth is, any fierier will tell you that a barefoot horse is better,” said Karshner.

After Chance’s shoes were removed, he had six weeks of therapy in EZ Boots in order to toughen up his hooves, along with regular trimmings and filings.

After the six weeks, Chance, who was supposed to be put down because he could barely walk, was now able to not only walk, but run and even slide.

“Once you open that foot up and you toughen up the inside, he gets his foot back. And he goes back out and is landing heels-first and he’s going,” said Karshner.

Choosing to take your horse barefoot does require a little extra maintenance.

The hooves have to be trimmed and filed every four weeks, but for the people who have seen the change in Chance's life, they believe barefoot is the way to go.

Chance's trainer Erika Underwood said, "He hasn’t taken a lame step with me. I have ridden a lot of good horses and he’s the most talented horse I have ever been on. It’s an amazing difference, it really is.”

If you would like to see Chance in action or hear Karshner speak about natural hoof care they will both be at Tehachapi’s first Equine Affair May 16-17 at the Golden Hills Equestrian Center.

You can also visit Karshner's web site at www.Navicular-Founder-rehab.com.