The equine foot is constantly adapting and responding to environmental conditions, dissipating energies every time it impacts the ground. It isn't always possible to ensure that the foot of our captive horse is able to function as it would if it were free, but we can help to sculpt its magnificent anatomical shape to suit the environment we do provide.

"Do no harm."

As horse owners, our goal is to learn how to look at our horse's feet in a whole new way. Together our ultimate goal is to humble ourselves and let the horse be our guide. Ultimately we can allow the horse to model its own footprint and keep it free to live, untouched by mortal misconceptions.

A hoof care practioner will document the current state of your horse's hoof health with digital photographs so that all progress can be accurately reviewed. They will discuss the whole horse, living environment, and diet. With this information, they will then plan ways to enable your horse to take charge of its own hoof health. They will be happy to show you how to keep the trim, and help you gain confidence so that you may learn to do it all on your own, if the need continues. 

On subsequent visits....

Through brainstorming ways to enable your horse to self-trim and maintain its own hoof health through a healthy lifestyle, it is more than possible to eliminate the need for future trims. The hoof care practioner's ultimate goal is to never have to return to trim, and for you this means a healthy-hooved happy horse and no farrier costs, ever again.

Websites to consider:
http://www.ironfreehoof.com/   http://www.barefoothorse.com http://www.aanhcp.org   http://www.safergrass.org

Papers and articles to consider:
http://www.laminitisresearch.org/chrispollitt_publications1.htm http://cvm.msu.edu/news/press/phytrim.htm http://cvm.msu.edu/news/Press/memslame.htm
http://www.easycareinc.com/barefootinfo.aspx

Books to consider:
"Making Natural Hoof Care Work for You," by Pete Ramey