I want to Learn..

ElaineW · I want to Learn..

HEy Everyone!
This morning I went and spent time with Jet. I was checking his feet, cleaning them out etc and noticed how his hoof is a bit crooked on the toe from wear or what ever.. His hoof has chipped away a bit here and there.
I thought to myself how I would like to trim that little bit and file his toe down a little bit to make it look smoother.
I have no idea if that's right or not, but it's got me to thinking.
I want to learn how to trim.
Is it possible? Well I know it is,, but you know what I mean.
Jet came to me with all 4 feet shod,, I had them removed and now his limp is just about gone completely.
I dont' want to shoe him again.
What kind of boot is good?
Where should I start?
Leah! can you offer any advice?
It would be very nice if I could do my boy's feet..
Thank you all for your thoughts!

Leah

where do you live?

That helps see what options are available for you to learn.

Yes it IS possible.

Living proof all over this forum.

kristie

ElaineW

Thank you both so much for your replies!!

Leah I live in western KY,,
I will check and see what's going on in the area.. I have decided I for sure want to learn how to take care of Jet's feet.
I am a bit obsessive though.. a learn a holic.. LOL I know I will dive in head first!! There won't be any looking back either if I am really interested.

Kristie!!!
It's good to hear from ya! I just about called ya this morning to ask about boots and what not..
I took Jet for his first walk out this morning.. he did very good. At times he was a bit nervous, but his nervous spells are NOTHING LIKE CHANCES.. Thank God.
He's getting around soooo much better now.. so now I will really start to do things with him. This sounds bad, but there was atime I thought he was going to have to go home, I didn't want to get to attached to him!
I even rode a tiny bit today,, a few circles around the outside of the round pen! He stops when I ask, he goes when I ask, He's so patient.

Looks like I will start a hoof Journey now!! LOL

Leah

You could always hau to GA

ElaineW

I sure would if I had a good trailer!!!!

appellativo

Id definitely rent Pete's vids from giddyupflix.com as a start, and read up on his website (hoofrehab.com). If you can find a barefoot trimmer in your area, have them teach you what they know, after you've watched some videos and if there are ever any hoof clinics in your area, go to those! This is how I learned! :D
(forgot to mention the yahoo group, 'barefoothorsecare')
Erin

ElaineC

Read, read, read, read, read, watch, watch, read... you CAN do it, absolutely!

Here's some links to chew up your time:

Pete Ramey - http://www.hoofrehab.com/

Iron Free Hoof - http://www.ironfreehoof.com/

The Horses Hoof - http://www.thehorseshoof.com/ and I highly recommend their magazine too

Barefoot for Soundness - http://www.barefoothorse.com/

You'll be able to learn a huge amount from these sites, they all have a different slant on things, and different resources to help you out. Leah's site has some excellent articles as well. Watch the videos at The Horse's Hoof, read Pete's articles, read over the "how to trim" on Iron Free Hoof, look at the hoof comparisons on Barefoot. Your head will be swimming in no time!

Be warned though - you won't be able to go anywhere without cringing once you learn. Some of the feet I see on horses makes me feel ill, but their owners think they have a wonderful farrier, and they are seen to every few weeks. The other day, I swear a woman thought I was bonkers when I said to her how amazing her horses feet were, and can I pick them please? She thought I was kidding, I wasn't! Her horse had *amazing* feet, I said to her keep her farrier, he's worth his weight in gold. It made my day, heck it made my week, if not my entire month LOL

jokersmama

You can most definitely do this and your horse will thank you for learning about his feet.

*BEWARE* it becomes an obsession!

You will loose sleep thinking about hooves, and when you close your eyes you will see hooves, and when you do sleep you will dream of hooves, after a while you will look at a beautiful horse and only be able to focus on their hooves

ElaineW

Ya'll are great!!!
And i LOVE to read so this is going to be good! LOL
I talked to Jet's previous owner last night. Told him that Jet was not limping anymore and what not.
He's truly a great guy, him and his wife LOVE their horses to death.
Here's what he told me about jet's feet. This made no since either..
"Jet has been shod for years, but after this last time he's he was 'tender' footed on gravel.. He does very well with 'pads'."
Last time I snuck a ride in on Chance was on a gravel road. he had front shoes on and he was a bit 'tender footed'. Meaning he would hit a rock and take a fast quick step.
anyways,,
I am looking forward to this!
Thanks everyone!

Leah

REMEMBER Hoof Help Online is VERY close to starting. It will be a $20/ month fee for a HUGE site.

I have seen some previews (just got one last night) and I am telling you this will blow EVERYONE away.

ElaineW

ForgeNHammer

I ride with a good farrier once a month and it's helped me so much. I'd recomend it for who ever wants to learn.

Leah

Elaine I think you can subscribe now to HHO but not sure.

Go look at thehorseshoof website.

It IS getting VERY close.

ElaineC

becdubie

Leah
...this is not really on topic, but I've been watching your Spiderman, and no matter what song is on...he's on beat!!!!!!
Everything from
Casey jones
-Grateful Dead
to...
So long
-Saliva...
Cracking me up.

...anyway..I agree with everyone else we have learned a lot from Pete Ramey and since we have started doing our own trims, the horses are so much happier. Trimming is a non-event around here...Sometimes I just go out to the pasture with my rasp and rasp at liberty while they are resting. Whatever hoof is resting, is the one I pick up...they don't mind a bit. We just could not find a farrier we were happy with.

ElaineW

LOL Rasping at liberty!
I love that!

Well I really cleaned up Jet's feet tonight.. there's a odd 'bulge' on the outside edge of the right front. The outer edge, kinda back towards the heel. I picked up his hoof and the hoof wall is pulling away from the white line.

Tomorrow morning, if weather permits i am going to photograph his hooves..

I also have Pete Ramey's dvd's on the way from giddyupflix,, AND purchased his book.

Ohhhh and I have been reading and looking at as much stuff as I can.
Ya'll are right,, it's going to be a obsession.

And Jet's hooves look like shit compared to the hooves I see in these photos of 'good' hooves..
I told him to hang on,, I would fix it soon!

Happyappy98

Hey there Elaine. You are going to be totally hooked!!!!!

I am watching KC La Pierre. Amazing. I read Ramey's book and learned loads. I am a doer. I watch the DVD then I keep it in my head to when I get to the barn and try to do whatever I learned. Mike Boso is the choice for my boy and he is a load of info. I am looking forward to him coming out in a week or so.

Once you are onto the hooves, you will want to check out the nutrition too. My friend helps me thru Elenore Kellon Safer Grass. I am learning loads. I just read an article on her site about laminitis. SCARY!!!!!!!

Best of luck to you and enjoy.