Pacific Northwest Natural Hoofcare

15/05/2024

Trimming is a subtractive process.

I have sharp tools and can trim away excess material.
I can also choose what to leave alone.

This is the limitation of being a barefoot specialist who doesn't shoe:
When a horse needs something *added* to their hoof that isn't thrush treatment or Hoof Armor, and when boots are not enough/not feasible/not the right option, then it's time for permanent hoof protection.

Horses can successfully live in therapy boots for a long time, so I'm not really talking about laminitis/founder rehab cases. I'm talking about horses who are not comfortable barefoot because they don't have enough soft tissue density, sole depth, heel height, etc.

Here in the PNW, there is lots of gravel brought in to combat the mud.
The weather is wet and the gravel is abrasive and unforgiving.
Not all horses can tolerate this wet environment and that kind of footing without periodic to permanent hoof protection.

That's not a failure, it's just the reality of the area we live in.

So if your horse is not comfortable, has thin soles, or doesn't have access to softer footing for turnout.... it's time to protect their feet.

A really common phrase used is "their feet just need to toughen up."
That's not really how it works.
You need better footing, more sole depth, less inflammation, and the right trimming/shoeing/booting combination.

This is my area specific opinion. Professionals who work in different climates are dealing with different issues than we do here.

*Picture is a hind hoof on a mare I just referred out for shoes, at least for the summer. This is after 5 weeks growth. I didn't trim because what would I trim?*

14/05/2024

So true for mustangs & rescues.
This is only true for these types of horses, don’t fool yourself that your trusting, walk all over you, bottle fed stud c**t is the same.

28/03/2024

Versa Octos for the win!
They’ll keep this cute mare comfy over varried terrain as she heads off to school for a few weeks.

22/02/2024

Some little makeshift goat booties for this cute buck whose hooves needed a little extra TLC. Thanks for trusting me with your critters!

#🐐

19/02/2024

A tale of hoof health as told by its print. Bonus cougar track at the end. A sampling of the local foot traffic at Milo McIver state park where I ride often.

13/02/2024

***EDIT*** Clinic is cancelled, not enough interest. I’m willing to do it at a later date whether it be for OHSET or general public. Shoot me a message if interested.****

OHSET athletes and families!
Do you have a horse that gets herd bound? Gate sour? Rearing? Anxious to go forward, or feels like you have little to no control in different scenarios?
Maybe you just want to learn some exercises for refinement, suppling and better balance?
We are offering a last minute 2 hour clinic to touch on a handful of things you can work on to have safer, more broke horses. We’ ll talk about how your tack functions, why your hand angles matter and what’s happening in your horses mind and body. This clinic is for NE District OHSET athletes only this time but open to auditors. No deposit needed but would love a general head count ahead of time so please reach out to me here or Jenny Tackett if you plan on coming.
* please come with cash for clinic and auditing fee
**Bits with broken mouthpiece /snaffle recommended. If you don’t have this I will have some bridle set ups with me for you to try out.

Please share and get the word out. We decided to push for this before next meet in the hopes of helping athletes have more tools and feel more confident out there.

17/01/2024

A customer asked me how much it cost to do this job....
I answered him: $ 1500
He said: So expensive for this job?
I asked: How much do you think it would cost you?
He answers me: $ 800 maximum... That's a pretty simple job right? !"
- For $ 800 I invite you to do it yourself.
- But.... I don't know how to.
- For $800 I'll teach you how to. So besides saving you $700, you'll get the knowledge for the next time you want
- It seemed right to him and he agreed.
- But to get started: you need tools: A welder, grinder, chop saw, drill press, welding hood, gloves etc...
- But I don't have all these equipment and I can't buy all of these for one job.
- Well then for another $300 more I'll rent my stuff to you so you can do it.
- Okay, he says.
- Okay! Tuesday I'm waiting for you to start doing this work
- But I can't on Tuesday I only have time today.
- I'm sorry, but I'm only available Tuesday to teach you and lend you my stuff. Other days are busy with other customers.
- Okay! That means I'm going to have to sacrifice my Tuesday, give up my tasks.
- I forgot. To do your job yourself, you also have to pay for the nonproductive factors.
- That is? What is this?"
- Bureaucratic, tax, vat, security, insurance, fuel etc.
- Oh no!... But to accomplish these tasks, I'm going to spend more money and waste a lot of time!
- Do you have them? You can do it to me before?"
- Okay!
- I'll make you all the material you need. Truck loading is done Monday evening or Tuesday morning you'll have to come by 6 loading the truck. Don't forget to be on time to avoid traffic jams and be on time
- At 6??? Nope! Too early for me! I used to getting up later...
- You know, I've been thinking. Y ' all better get the job done. I'd rather pay you the $1500. If I had to, it wouldn't be perfect and it would cost me a lot more.

When you pay for a job, especially handcrafted, you pay not only for the material used, but also:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Study
- Tools
- Services
- Time to go
- punctuality
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Accuracy
- Guaranteed
- Patents
- Sacrifices
- Safety and security
- Payment of tax obligations

No one can denigrate other people's work by judging prices.
Only by knowing all the elements necessary for the production of a certain work can you estimate the actual cost.

I did not write this dialogue, but am sharing it to support craftsmen and entrepreneurs.

12/01/2024

With chilly temps approaching, what do you do to keep your equines happy and toasty?

I very rarely blanket my horses. However, this fall & winter have been quite warm, and none of my kids grew much of a winter coat.
This weekend is going to get into the teens, so blankets are on for a few days.

Some simple things you can do to help your herd out when it’s colder:

🌱Feed them extra hay/forage

💧Water - it’ll freeze over (duh) so make sure you have a reliable source.

🏠Shelter - something to combat wet and windy conditions

🧥Blankets - IF your horse needs it. If they’re shivering, or don’t have access to a shelter and it’s wet and cold. Older horses, thin horses, or horses who may have thin coats may also appreciate it!

🥾Hoof protection - most of you don’t have to worry about this, but since this is a hoofcare page here we go. If mud in your paddocks freezes, and your thin soled, laminitic, navicular etc. horse walks over frozen tundra, it may be extra ouchy. Consider hoof protection for those that may need it, or provide a clean space in your shelter for them to stay comfy.

P.S.
No, my favorite color isn’t purple, that’s just what they had left at the feed store 😅

11/01/2024

Another donkey transformation 🙌🏽

11/01/2024

PPID diagnosed, laminitic donkey gets a pedicure 🦶

30/12/2023

✨
sending my gratitude to those clients who tipped extra, gifted me things, were there when I needed an ear, and trusted me with their equines. This business has grown so much this year, and I couldn’t have done it without you!
✨

28/12/2023

Although I only offer glue on composite shoes, this rings true!

Agricultural service

29/09/2023

Support your local rescue, and go check this out!

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Raffle tickets are limited and on sale only until they are gone. The raffle drawing winner will be announced on Monday the 2nd.

Click on this link to register and bid: https://soundeo2023.ggo.bid/bidding/package-browse

Good luck and Thank you!

25/09/2023

After/Before, overdue Peruvian gelding.
#🐴

15/09/2023

Usually I’m under this giant boy, today I got to see things from a different view 👀
He is HUGE!

13/09/2023

‘tis the season
farm dogs everywhere rejoice
if you know, you know

23/08/2023

16/08/2023

Teeny little hoof from today. Check out that nice digital cushion!
This guy has some imbalances elsewhere in his body that make getting his hooves perfect tricky, but we’re almost there.

.

05/08/2023

My dirty, monster mare inspecting our mud control situation 🧐 (it’s still a work in progress).

Hooves adapt to the terrain they live on. If your barefoot horse is in a mushy, or soft paddock, don’t expect them to crush rock on the trail.
Best option? Add as much varied terrain in your turnouts to mimic the environment you’ll be riding in. Of course this isn’t realistic for everyone, myself included, so it’s important to
make sure you have some trail boots on board for your equine pal to keep them protected on those rocky trail rides 🥾

Some of my favorite boot brands include and , but there are a whole list of other amazing brands worth checking out.

03/08/2023

This neat lil mare will be up for auction at Teens & Oregon Mustangs! If any of my clients are looking, here’s your girl 🤎

27/06/2023

As a hoofcare provider, whenever I hear horses are living on grass my heartrate speeds up a bit. My first thoughts are "will this horse become laminitic" or "is this horse laminitic".... But some horses do just fine living on grass, and not all horses are metabolic, but even so, I tend to find some of the worst feet on those that live on pasture. So how do we ensure that we are making safe choices with horses that CAN graze?

I have seen posts from Cherrie Nolden over the last few years about grazing her large herd of Norwegian Fjords on abundant grass 24/7. I have always wondered - how does she do it? How did she keep an "easy keeper" herd on grass without soundness issues or weight concerns? Can we mimic this with healthy horses in our lives?

Cherrie and I sit down and talk about how she manages her fields and herd of horses to ensure healthy pasture, healthy horses, and healthy hooves. You can hear the entire conversation on any podcast app under "The Humble Hoof," or at this link: https://thehumblehoof.com/2023/06/09/safer-grazing-for-horses/

Thank you to our amazing sponsors:

Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOF

Cavallo Hoof Boots is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRN

26/05/2023

Thank you Pia for the company! It always fun to have other pros ride along 🥰

had a fantastic day learning more about donkey feet with the amazing amira of Pacific Northwest Natural Hoofcare

16/05/2023

Monday Rant:
These photos are at slightly different angles, but still gives a good lesson.

TRIM 👏🏽YOUR 👏🏽FOALS👏🏽

The caudal foot which is hugely important in the soundness of equines develops in the first few years of life.
It’s critical that the internal structures develop properly during this time if you expect your equine friend to haul your 🍑 around for fifteen to twenty years of its life.

I see SO many young horses who get less than adequate hoofcare (and just as important, proper movement over varied terrain).

So get your foals, weanlings, and yearlings balanced and moving! You’ll thank me later I promise, and so will your horse. The money you spend now on frequent trims will likely save you a lot more in farriery work and vet bills later down the road.

02/05/2023

Swipe to trim. Laminitic mare in some serious need of a pedicure.

18/04/2023

✨Twinkle pony getting her lil twinkle toes trimmed.
Thanks for trusting me with your horsey kids! ✨

27/03/2023

I’ve been hacked! Please don’t follow this page & do report them. Sorry everyone ☹️

11/03/2023

Hind hoof prints showing off a healthy engaged frog (pre trim) 🐸 So healthy it was taking over the foot!