Many horses are very comfortable left barefoot with a biomechanically balanced trim every few weeks.
I saw my family’s dude ranch horses go barefoot for eight months out of the year with outstanding results. Most all of the horses came back in the spring with beautiful, naturally hard feet. These horses however, lived in the high desert of Western Colorado, not the wet, muddy conditions of Western Washington.
It has become popular in recent years for horse owners and job seekers to attend "barefoot practitioner" clinics, where they can earn a certification in "natural hoof care" in as little as a weekend. While these practitioners may have the best intentions for your horse, they are very rigid in their belief that no horse should ever wear shoes.
I can trim your horses feet in a way that works with nature to restore balance and toughness that will keep him moving at his best, but if he needs shoes I have the equipment and know how to do the best job for his situation.
Natural Options
High Performance Solutions
I have been shoeing performance horses in many disciplines throughtout the years with proven results. Whether your horse is a high energy jumper, dressage champion, working cow-horse or just a good buddy I can help keep him at his happy, healthy best.
Having a good working relationship with your vet is vital when your horse needs attention for a lamness issue. I work with local vets as part of the team that can restore your equine partner to vital health. My specialities include returning soundness to horses with laminitis and other painful conditions.
Keeping current with the latest techinques and information is something I am passionate about and therefore I attend clinics and workshops on a regular basis as well as learning from my clients who often know their own horse the best.
Founder is the crippling condition that results when the laminae begin to weaken and fray. This causes the coffin bone to rotate, the bony column to sink, or sometimes both. The damage worsens when the hoof capsule rotates away from its correct position. Founder can be either acute or chronic. Any major metabolic imbalance to the horse can cause a founder episode. Carbohydrate overload is not the only cause. New research shows that many metabolic problems play a role. Some possible insults include drug interactions, retained placenta, excessive heat, and excessive stress. Mechanical damage or injury to the hoof may also result in a founder episode. The first step is to identify the cause and try to eliminate it from the equation. Often times, avoiding overdue farrier care, enforcing a carbohydrate restriction, implementing a light exercise regimen on soft ground with light trims and proper shoes is the way to proceed. Radiographs and vet consults are highly recommended. There a variety of therapeutic applications to make your horse more comfortable and to treat and many times, reverse the mechanical damage. I will gladly work alongside your vet on these cases when asked.
The animation image on the left shows the hoof capsule SINKING. The image on the right shows ROTATION. Watch the photo for a few seconds to see the animation. This is why it is imperative to contact your Vet and Farrier at the first signs of lameness!
