Amber Williams Hoof Care.

01/13/2025

01/10/2025

Edited to add; I'm always a bit reluctant posting these sorts of posts because its always the loveliest clients who worry if they're not being good, and the people who need to fix themselves the most who probably won't read this. Just wanted to say if you've been on my books more than 5 visits I can just about guarantee I don't mean you, and I love and appreciate all of my wonderful ongoing clients so much

01/01/2025

11/15/2024

Due to scheduling constraints, frequent cancellations or rescheduling on the same day of appointments may require finding a new farrier. I prioritize flexibility in genuine emergencies; however, cancelling minutes prior to appointments is not acceptable as it impacts my ability to accommodate waiting clients.

09/26/2024

!!!!

09/25/2024

It's been a year, so let's repeat!

Hoof deformities depend on horse's conformation and posture and therefore occur in specific patterns.

Recognizing those patterns not only gives us more understanding about the forces being at play and the load distribution over the hoof capsule, but also may help us decide what actions to take when it comes to addressing those deformities.

If you want to learn more about 4 hoof types, here's the link ☺️:

https://thehoofarchitect.blogspot.com/2023/09/demistifying-equine-limb-deformities_21.html?m=1

09/24/2024

🔮The Magic Rasp🔮

Once upon a time, a magic rasp was forged in a country far far away. Whoever wielded it was able to cure any hoof related issue in just one trim. Horse owners everywhere rejoiced and their horses went racing across the fields on their new healthy feet.......✨

Okayyy, just kidding! If only this could be true. However, sometimes people think that hoofcare providers can come in and magically fix hoof issues.

It's true that many times horses will surprise us with their progress in a short amount of time. It often feels like a little sprinkle of magic came into play.

But other times, as I am staring down at a pair of unhealthy feet, I know I will only be able to help so much.

Things our tools can't fix:
🗝Grain-based diet with added sugar, iron, too many carbs.
🗝Lack of hoof supplement with appropriate levels of copper + zinc.
🗝Pressure from outside people (vet, farrier, trainer, friends) to disregard your hoofcare provider's suggestions.
🗝Lack of owner compliance with treating thrush.
🗝 Not enough turnout.
🗝Too long of a trim cycle.
🗝Undiagnosed systemic issues.

Not everyone wants to rearrange everything to prioritize their horse's hoof health. I get that. Talented hoofcare providers can make a difference in every case without all the right pieces in place. But barefoot make not work for your horse if you can't adjust some of the above issues.

09/24/2024

Minis and foals need regular hoofcare, too!

I often meet minis or young horses that haven't been trimmed in months (or ever). At that point I'm doing rehab work in order to get the feet back to where I want them and try to chase after all the distortion that has happened from lack of hoofcare.

I actually like to keep minis on the same cycle length as the working horses I see. It's worth it!

Pictured is a hind foot of a mini mare I see every 5-6 weeks.

09/19/2024

09/12/2024

On a fall Southern California day in 2009, Pat Barrett set out to do what he had done thousands of times over more than 45 years — trim horses' hooves.

09/07/2024

08/28/2024

This is a great illustration of why you shouldn't pull nails or any foreign object out of the foot until you have taken the horse to the vet to have it xrayed. If you pull it out, without a radiographic image, you won't know where the nail Penetrated. Getting radiographic images can help prevent your horse from long term or permanent lameness.