Hometown Hoofcare

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.

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

01/06/2025

When you're pretty and you have pretty nails 💅.

Spirit 💕. I'd take this mare home if I could!

01/04/2025

What is the difference between a sound hoof and a healthy hoof? Find answers and more in this free webinar with Dr. Bowker.

12/23/2024

Just a nice hind foot with a big fat bevel on Miss Gladys. That's it!

She had a nice half set of glue-ons on the front, too, but I forgot to take a picture 😌.

12/18/2024

Hay samples for judicious owners going off for testing tomorrow at Equi-Analytical. 🎄

Why would you go the extra mile to test your hay?

1️⃣ To make sure the hay is safe for metabolic, HYPP, and pregnant horses
2️⃣ To make sure the hay is appropriate for the level of work the horse is in (easy keeper vs performance horse) or the stage of life (growing horses)
3️⃣ To streamline your hard feed and supplementation process so you know exactly what to balance and supplement for so you aren't over supplementing and conversely, to fill nutritional gaps that you know for sure exist instead of guessing

I generally recommend the 601 Equi-Tech test from Equi-Analytical for most owners, which is only $32.

12/16/2024

This is a topic I ponder often.

I understand the reasoning behind the "sole is king/a smart structure" theory.

I don't know if I want to use it in its entirety on barefoot horses.

A tool to keep in the toolbox.

12/08/2024

Kosmo 🥰. The biggest puppy on my rounds.

12/07/2024

Tell me you're a female farrier without telling me you're a female farrier.

When your nail polish matches the thrush treatment...

12/06/2024

When the farrier dog and the farrier store dog get together...

Dally and Oliver 🤙

12/05/2024

12/04/2024

The feeling I felt when I first met Nogah was like running into an old friend in the most unsuspecting places. Surely if she wasn't meant to be one of my horses in some capacity in this life, she was in another.

She has strong Al Khamsa hooves, made for the desert.

12/04/2024

Another good, good footed Tennessee Walker, his seriously adorable, sassy friend; and my favorite farrier dog, Dally.

How do I have the coolest job? Pinch me.

12/03/2024

A peaceful moment between me and Sedona.

Young horses and senior horses on either end of the pendulum can be especially challenging, but I find trimming them to also be especially rewarding.

Miss Sedona has really come a long way and I'm super proud of both her and her mom!