Becoming an Expert Barefoot Trimmer
With my own barefoot trimming I have put the following quote from Earl Nightingale into practice -
He said, “If you want to become an expert read for 1 hour per day for 3 years on your given subject. If you want to become a world expert read for 1 hour per day for 5 years.”
I have read, studied and studied the horses hoof. I have watched DVD’s and before these videos. I have worked alongside different barefoot trimmers, trimmers trained from different schools, all with their own particular style of barefoot trimming.
I have agonized, looking over black and white photographs, in many, many books, trying to decipher what on earth they were trying to depict and show…..! and I have read hundreds of different articles on barefoot trimming.
Alongside this, I have taught myself to trim.
There were days when I knew, I did not know, what to do or how to trim, and, that there was still a great deal I did not understand, but I just did my best, and then watched and felt how the horses went.
How I Learnt, Without Becoming Frustrated
Often while learning about barefoot horsecare we were having to watch the movement of one of the horses to try and see which hoof was sore as every so often, “someone, who lives high up in the sky,” would throw me down yet another challenge, with regard to the soundness, of one of our horses. (We have certainly had a fair load of lameness issues here, from spavins to in-growing bars, to very poor hooves, etc)
I would then wrestle with this new challenge, frustrated, to have what felt like, yet another problem, to try to understand and resolve.
Then I would attempt to calmly accept, I just had a bit more to learn and not fight this new problem. I would go back and study more and work out how best to resolve this new problem. Throughout this time we have lost horses, which looking back, with the knowledge I now have they would still be here today.
C’est la vie… I did my best.
Support – How This Site Can Help You
Support can make or break someone…
Laura, who has worked with us now for a number of years is always optimistic,and ready to learn, whatever we need to learn, so a tremendous support. As fast as I read something, I would pass this onto her. To the point that when she was seeing some friends, her fiance said to them, “that Laura’s hobby, was studying horses feet…..” That just about sums up how much she has contributed here, her work is outstanding.
Having support from someone, when you are learning and struggling, makes an enormous difference. I hope this website will give you the same support with your horsecare, that I have been given, from all of Laura’s dedicated hard work.
Bit of History
During this period people would ask me if we were hunting and when I explained we were transitioning our horses to barefoot they would look surprised, perplexed and baffled. How do you begin to explain what you are doing with your horses to owners who keep their horses shod, bitted etc?
I think the answer is, just do it, and let them see the results for themselves.
Getting Expert Help…!?
Looking back what is sometimes frustrating is the help and knowledge that you want and need is difficult to find. Many times when we had hoof problems I was consulting the wrong people and paying for incorrect advice. I think sometimes professionals, who we think should know the answers don’t have the answers, and although this is scary we need to recognize this, and try and make sure we are getting the correct advice.
The internet has made a huge difference, if you can read through, and spend time searching, the answers that you need are there.
Understanding Barefoot Websites
There is one website that I went onto 4 years ago – it is a great site, but it was too advanced for me then.
I needed bricks and mortar, on how to barefoot trim.I needed the real basic stuff. However, now when I go to this website everything that is on it I can understand and appreciate, agree with or not agree with.
Another site that I went on – (the owners are excellent trimmers), however, it took me 3 years before I realized that they trimmed… When I finally delved deep enough into their site I found a chunk of very valuable information that has further helped me with my trimming.
Our Goal With This Site
My aim is to try and make a simple website about natural horsecare and help you to also understand simply barefoot trimming.
I will add pictures and videos where I can, to try and explain what I do and soon to follow a video of how I trim. I do not know all the answers, but if you are able to pick up a few tips and learn something which will help you and your horse then this site will have been worthwhile you visiting and worthwhile us building..
Your Questions
If you are reading this, let us know the questions that are popping into your head, post them at the bottom of this post so we can answer them.
If you have one question I am sure this is not unique to you, there will be other readers with the same questions and doubts; by voicing them, you are helping other horses and owners.
We will answer them so visitors can read the answers. If you wish to remain anonymous we will of course honour this.
My Trimming
I follow no particular trimming school, but I have, and still do, study all the masters out there. My trim will be an amalgamation of all that I have learnt from the many different trimmers I have studied as well as my own trimming experiences, which has come from watching the horses and reading their hooves and their movement on a daily basis: this obviously has contributed a great deal to my learning.
The knowledge and experience I have so far acquired, is on this website and is here to help anyone wanting to learn how to have healthy hooves and ride high performance barefoot horses.
The Physical Challenge of Trimming
It is and can be a physical challenge, trimming the hooves.. What I do, to make it easy, deserves a separate post…
And About Mastery
If you want sound barefoot horses the information is here. Mastery takes time, but it is well worth it. If you are unsure how to start I will quote Walt Disney, “The way to get started is to start doing.”
Am I a world expert yet? The problem I have, is not recognizing what I know, as I know there will always be more to learn…
If you are stuck – Contact Us.
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Sarah-dear friend.
Can’t (can) believe it has taken me so long to read this article on your blog…
and you have often questioned how this website will take off….?
Well, it’s fairly obvious to me, that there are people out there from all over the world that would disagree with those doubts.
You are on your way to the top my dearest friend and it is because you never give up, you keep pushing onward and upward when others would have given up a long while ago.
You are an inspiration to anyone who has a vision and starts from scratch, that anyone can do it.
Very proud to count you as my best friend,
Gail xx
I am back in the horse world after many years out of it;and was lucky enough to have a beautiful Arab colt given to me.
Tony is a light in my life and I am endeavoring to do right by him in every way.
Barefoot trimming just feels right. Wow there is so much to learn! but hey I’m up for it. Oh really, what wouldn’t any decent person not do for the love of a horse?
So glad for these amazing web sites. Im such a dufus on the computer but am learning fast so I can access all the info I can. I appreciate so much the effort so many of you make to teach commonsense and natural approaches regarding horse ownership.
Cheers to you all! Love from Australia. Nat xxx
It is almost 5 years since I decided to allow my horse the freedom of no iron.
It was an easy decision for me, as I was born in Africa and often did not wear shoes and had endless hours of feeling the earth beneath my feet, something that some only realize on odd beach holidays…and it came to me, when the farrier took off the shoes and had to do something else for a few hours and returned.
In those hours i saw and felt something that made me realize how truly natural and well made the hoof is, and I was altering something so pure through ignorance and perhaps following the accepted route…well that is history now.
My advice is when you make the decision to give your horse a better life, iron free…have the courage to keep your promise, search for a dedicated barefoot trimmer, NOT a farrier prepared to fit you in with a pasture trim, and realize the essential benefit of what you feed your horse, keep it natural too, and take time to just look and be with your horse without always insisting on riding,
Perhaps just go for walks, both of you together and feel the gait change by being barefoot, and when there are difficulties , be patient and strong in your resolve, and seek out like minded people who will encourage and advise and not criticize or complain …Some very wise man once said..YOUR HORSE DOES NOT CARE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW…TILL HE KNOWS HOW MUCH YOU CARE.