Hometown Hoofcare

02/02/2025

First trim from me for this super rad champagne 🤩 KMSH. I'm generally pretty conservative, but especially when I don't know a horse's preferences well. Movement is probably the most important thing for our horses, so I don't want anything done that inhibits this (i.e. making them sore). Feedback from the owner during the first couple of trims especially, are really important to me.

For R***r, I have a couple of goals I'd like to work on, but not all at the same time. He has an important job winning trail challenges after all! Like most RMSH and KMSH he has good quality feet.

The first thing I wanted to do was leave as much as possible on the bottom and shorten his toes up, then see if it results in any positive postural changes, a heel-first landing, no negative fair changes like tripping, and if his comfort level stays the same or improves.

If everything goes well, and depending on a few other variables, I'll likely push his toes back a little more next trim, make sure nothing is laid over or proud of the wall on the bottom, and then review where his heels are after a couple of 4-week cycles bringing the footprint back.

The longer I do this, the more I think it's a matter of setting everything up in the aquarium to be happy, then getting out of the horse's way so it can do its own healing from within. It may not look particularly aesthetic every time, but if we trust the process, it tends to work out. I guess that's hoofcare and that's life.

His mom is barefoot horse savvy and supportive of this process with appropriate lifestyle components in place that set me, as his farrier, up for success.

02/01/2025

Guess what came in the mail 🥰.

The Humble Hoof
AERC: American Endurance Ride Conference

01/29/2025

If you're a fellow farrier and you know me, you know I have a knife problem. I cannot be stopped. When it comes to a beautiful knife, I can be pretty dragon-hearted.

It's a good sign when a knife company sends you a band-aid with their package. I'm pretty stoked to try this one out! This is a Tosaky pony knife that I think will compliment my bonsais well on the littles. Who knows? It might even replace my all-time favorite knife, the JH Shorty.

In Arizona, it's kind of a joke that we even use knives certain times of the year, even on frogs because they snap off in little shards like hard plastic. I rely on my half rounds a lot. Even then, it can be kind of like scraping the blades against a stone (thank God for the angle grinder). Still, when we've had a little moisture like we have today, I *love* the feel of a well-made knife 🤌.

*EDIT* It IS freakin' sharp 🤩.

01/28/2025

01/28/2025

Cameo 🤣

01/26/2025

Just a few more spots left!

Edit - all spots have now been filled ☺️
There are still sponsor spots available for companies who want to help make this clinic great! Two of the sponsorship levels do include clinic attendance.

Since some say these posts haven’t been showing up on their news feed, I hope this one does - because we have some exciting news about our October 2025 Clinic here in Amesbury, MA!

The clinic sold out in November, and we had an almost 20 person wait list. Due to the demand, we have added a FOURTH clinician, which allowed us to open up more “small group” sessions, and add more spots to the clinic!

Pat Reilly is a professor of podiatry to veterinary students at Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, and has published research on hoofcare and footing and its effect on movement.

At the clinic, he will help us look at biomechanics of certain cases, alongside Dr. Jenny Hagen who also has many research publications on hoofcare and biomechanics, and Ula Krzanowska helping us look at hoof balance and conformation, and Celeste Lazaris looking at upper body muscling and movement and its effect down the limb!

We contacted the wait list last week, and many opted to join us, but we still have a few spots left.

If you’re interested in biomechanics, hoof balance, how the upper body affects the hoof and vice versa, and looking at hands on cases to test theories, consider joining us this fall ☺️
A bonus is you will get to see beautiful New England fall foliage!

The link is on the graphic and I’ll also put it in the comments- just testing what works with the silly Facebook algorithm.

A huge shout out to our clinic sponsors for helping us bring these great clinicians to MA!

Custom Equine Nutrition, LLC - what we feed all our rehab horses here on the farm to grow the healthiest hooves possible!
Kahn Forge, Inc. - fantastic farrier supplies and tools
Progressive Hoof Care Practitioners - an incredible hoofcare education organization with a wonderfully supportive community
Equibalance Farrier Services - one of my amazing mentors and a great farrier based in NH!
Hometown Hoofcare - a wonderful hoofcare provider in AZ
Crown Point Services - for your insurance needs!

We do have some sponsorship spots still open and some do include participation in the clinic, so reach out if you’d like to help make this clinic happen.

01/26/2025

01/23/2025

Another endurance athlete and another gray Arabian in a full set of glue ons! Can you tell I have a type?

For those of you who are familiar with Arabian flat track racing lines, it should be fairly obvious who this talented horse's sire is.

Fun fact: no power tools or plastic wrap were used in this application.

01/22/2025

Congratulations to Afire and Dreamer for completing the challenging Tonto Twist 50-miler in Apache Junction, AZ! Elle on Afire is a junior rider and Mary Jane's (on Dreamer) granddaughter. How cool is that?

Both horses are in a full set of Versa Grip Glues so that their riders didn't need to worry about losing a boot on a tough trail. I always, always recommend that riders carry a boot out on trail just in case they lose a shoe anyway, but retention is really reliable with this shoeing package.

Glue on shoes at athletic events are also a nice option when horses have a tendency to interfere in the back, increasing the likelihood of pulling a boot off.

When I was riding Atticus in 50s, I rode him in composites and in metal. I noticed a significant difference in leg fill after rides when in composites - it was SO much less. So, from personal experience, I recommend composite shoes for most horses at most rides when it comes to distance events.

01/18/2025

Favorite Hoofcare Quotes

It’s been 10 years since I really started my hoofcare journey, and throughout that time I’ve been able to learn from so many amazing teachers/mentors/veterinarians/farriers/friends from all over in the equine world. So many of them left such great nuggets of wisdom to push me along in my path and help me pursue soundness for each individual horse.

As I am now a mentor myself for Progressive Hoof Care Practitioners, I have been thinking about things I say to PHCP students a lot during mentorship days, or things I say during PHCP webinars or other teaching opportunities.. and it often comes back to the same phrases.

I thought I’d share them here, but also ask you all to share some of your favorite hoofcare quotes that have helped shaped your approach to hooves as well!

*️⃣ “You paid for your entire rasp, use it.” - Jeannean Mercuri
—- I say this to almost every single trimming student I work with, and it was said to me by Jeannean during my very first mentorship with PHCP! When I was a “baby” trimmer I took such tiny little rasp strokes and only dulled the very middle of my rasp! Jeannean reminded me I had more rasp to use and would have more life in my rasps if I actually used the entire thing 😂

*️⃣ “Movement isn’t the problem, improper movement is.” -Nic Barker
—-This comment shaped my approach to navicular rehab specifically, and it was something Nic said to me during her podcast interview when we hosted her for a clinic in NY. She was talking about how she rehabs soft tissue injuries in the hoof capsule with movement, instead of avoiding movement, and the importance of proper biomechanics to act as physical therapy for those structures.

*️⃣ “I love seeing a perfect hoof, but I love seeing a sound horse an awful lot more.” -Steven Leigh
—-Steve said this to me on the podcast, when we were talking about concerning ourselves more with a horse’s comfort instead of just carving a perfect hoof on them. I think of this quote all the time when I am trimming a hoof and tempted to remove something the horse may need for comfort just because the picture didn’t look “pretty.” I have so many more sound horses because of the comments Steve has said to me in the past!

*️⃣ “The healthiest hooves are attached to the healthiest animals.” -Tomas Teskey
—-I must say this quote in every single webinar I do… because we want to combat the idea of horses “just having bad feet.” If a horse has unhealthy feet, I want to figure out why their body isn’t growing healthier ones! Diet? Metabolic issues? Gut health? Lyme/EPM/PSSM/something else systemic going on? Day to day management? This quote reminds me to keep looking for things to improve in the horse’s health to see if we can grow better feet, and not just keep my focus below the hairline.

*️⃣ “The hoof is like the canary in the coal mine.” -Pete Ramey
—-Similar to the quote from Dr. Teskey above, I say this quote from Pete in basically every single webinar I’ve ever done. It again reminds me that the feet are like the “check engine” light for the horse… if there’s an issue with the feet, it’s a symptom… find the cause.

What are some of your favorite sayings/quotes that have stuck with you, or that you repeat often?

01/15/2025

Mocha is one of a handful of RMSHs on my books and I love ALL OF THEM. What a super cool breed. Every one I know has great feet and temperaments. Mocha has lovely concavity and robust caudal structures, which contributes to his owner being able to ride him barefoot in our abrasive high desert so frequently.

01/15/2025

With all the talk and argument surrounding the idea of a new contraption to measure the tightness of nosebands in dressage competition, I can't help but wonder... 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥?

There's 𝗔𝗕𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗬 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 inherently negative about the use of a noseband (and if you want to preach your belief that nosebands are all just terrible tools of the devil, this isn't the page for you). Where the issues come in, as far as I can tell, is WHY are you using the noseband?

🐴 Are you using it to stabilize the bit?

- then you're probably pulling too much on the reins and causing the problem. (𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘵, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥).

🐴 Are you using it to stop your horse from crossing their jaw?

- then you're probably pulling too much on the reins and causing the problem.

🐴 Are you using it because the horse is "lolling" their tongue?

- then you're probably pulling too much on the reins and causing the problem.

🐴 Are you using it because he opens his mouth when you take contact and try to adjust the position or frame?

- then you're probably pulling too much on the reins and causing the problem.

If you're using the noseband to stop a problem from happening, then the problem lies in the education of the horse and the rider.

* 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘙𝘈𝘙𝘌 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨... 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.

🐎 If you're using the noseband because you are competing and rules of tradition compel it, that's a different story.

🐎 If you like the look of it, that's a different story.

🐎 If you like to "bling it up" and feel snazzy, that's a different story.

🐎 If you're using a noseband because you like to honor and respect the traditions of your discipline, even though you don't compete, that's a different story.

🐎 I probably missed some good personal reasons you might have, and they're a different story, too.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿.

So, let me know in the comments section, why are you using a noseband?

01/14/2025

Lately, all I want to do is show everyone pictures of how cute my client horses are. Dreamer is no exception. Just look at 'im!

He'll be at the Tonto Twist endurance ride this weekend. I ran out of daylight to get photos of his equally precious barnmate in another full set.

In Arizona, we basically have an endurance ride every month. We have LOTS of opportunities to test out our composite shoes. I modify the shoes slightly differently depending on the primary terrain our athletes will be traveling on. These sets should be good to go for both Tonto and Land of the Sun in February.

Both Dreamer and Afire go in EasyCare Inc. Protective Hoofwear Versa Grip Glues and Hoof MD acrylic and CUSO4 from Southwest Farrier Supply.

01/12/2025

The biggest piece of advice I frequently quote to baby trimmers (ok all trimmers) is a very simple phrase.

If it doesn't spark joy, get rid of it - Marie Kondo

MEANING - if you dread going go the client (ie - horses that jerk and rip on you(to the point where your side goes numb), unsafe setup, people who dont pay in a timely fashion, people who dont set their horses up for success, bad energy, etc) DO NOT KEEP GOING. If it feels like every single muscle in your body locks up when you step out of the vehicle, because you know you are about to get a good jerk around, DO NOT KEEP GOING. If the animal has a propensity to bite or kick or strike, and the owner has not addressed it and done everything you can to keep you safe, DO NOT KEEP GOING.

FULL STOP

It is not worth your peace. It is not worth the wear and tear on your body. It is not worth your time to work for people who do not care enough to keep you as safe as possible. It is not worth your time to work for people who think you are interchangeable. PERIOD.

Yes, things happen. Spooks happen. Body problems happen. Bad moods happen. But that needs to not be the norm.

You want to build your books with the best clients. The ones who are a great fit, who value your time and expertise, who do everything they can to set the horse and you up for a great trim experience.

If you aren't there yet with the clients on your books - do not be afraid to work towards a LEVEL UP. Advocate for yourself. You only have so many trims in your body, and no one knows what that number is.

(Photo of the actual quote I paraphrase stolen from Google)

01/08/2025

These cuties 🥰. Strawberry, the gray, has a very grounding presence for me and for Charlie.

01/07/2025

Another great webinar available to the public!

What’s Your Definition of Integrative Hoof Care?

Everything affects the hoof, and the hoof affects everything. With this in mind, integrative hoof care must be as comprehensive and holistic as possible. In our upcoming webinar, Yogi (The Equine Documentalist) and Beccy (Holistic Equine) will dive deep into the world of integrative hoof care.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Reactive vs. Proactive Approaches: Defining these strategies, what they look like in practice, and their relevance to the industry.

💡The Hoof-Horse Connection: A simple outline of how the hoof and horse are interconnected, introducing the autonomic nervous system, polyvagal theory, and neuromuscular system—and what this means for achieving hoof care goals.

💡The Traffic Light System: A tool to better understand what the horse might be feeling and how it impacts observable behavior and posture.

💡Assessment & Observation: The importance of accurate, repeatable assessments and how they can shape the future of the hoof care industry.

💡Health Through the Neuromuscular Lens: Exploring what a healthy horse and hoof look like from a neuromuscular perspective

We’ll also reflect on practical ways to help horses feel safe and sound, including:

We’ll also reflect on practical ways to help horses feel safe and sound, including:

💡Compassionate Equestrianism: Using a model to enhance caregiving and connection.
💡 Calming & Stress Signals: Understanding these signals and using them to support well-being.
💡 Scent Work: What it is and how to implement it for health goals.
💡 Body Work: Its role in promoting hoof and body health and balance.
💡 Balance Pads: How to incorporate them into rehab and maintenance for optimal well-being.
💡 Co-Regulation: Enhancing our connection with horses, including a short HeartMath exercise to regulate our own nervous systems.
💡 Environmental Enrichment: Optimizing neuromuscular health through thoughtful environmental design.
💡 Dentistry: Its role in overall equine health.
💡 Hoof Interventions: Examples of how integrative equine podiatry can optimize neuromuscular health and well-being, with documented changes and results.

Join us on January 7th... Link below!

https://equineeducationhub.thinkific.com/courses/future-podiatry-farriery-neuromuscular-health?utm_source=facebook&utm_source=medium=organic