Off to Death Valley

Logan and I are going to the Death Valley ride with Annie and Feather. We are leaving around 4am and hope to get down there around 1ish. Going to try a 50 on the first and last day, with a couple rest days in between. On New Year's Eve, there will be a big celebration and a band. We are looking forward to ringing in the New Year in style. Usually, we fall asleep early, so this will be fun for us. For boots, we are going to foam on Easyboots. I'll let you know how it goes. Promises to be cold but beautiful.

Team Easyboot

I am now a member of Team Easyboot. I will be testing boots, providing feedback on the boots, and educating people on how best to use their boots. I'll keep you posted on the interesting things I am doing with this.

Booting Clinic

I am holding a booting and shoe removal clinic for the PHCP on January 19. It will cover the pros and cons of the major boots on the market and will teach how to fit the boots, and why to choose one brand over the other. Email me for more details tracy@hoofhelp.com .

Barefoot Article in Horse and Rider Magazine

An excellent article on barefoot horses is in the December, 2007 edition of Horse and Rider magazine. Pete Ramey was extensively interviewed for the feature. This is a fantastic information source for anyone who is thinking about pulling shoes on their horses. The benefits of barefoot are discussed, this is a must read for anyone wanting more info on barefoot horses.

You have to purchase the December magazine at a store, the article is not online.

But, an article that first appeared in the February edition of Horse and Rider can be seen here:
http://equisearch.com/horses%5Fcare/health/hoof%5Fcare/barefoot%5F112507/

Thinking About Going Barefoot?

I know pulling shoes and keeping your horse barefoot is the best thing for your horse, but you need to come to that conclusion on your own. I cannot convince you of that, but if you educate yourself and look at all the successful booted and barefooted horses on the trail, the results and performance speak for itself.

I encourage potential barefooters to do more research about natural hoof care, in particular, Pete Ramey and Jaime Jackson's studies. The both have books available, Pete Ramey's "Making Natural Hoof Care Work for You" is an excellent introduction to this way of keeping your horse. Available from Amazon.

Also, visit web sites:
http://www.easycareinc.com/education/whybarefoot.aspx
http://www.easycareinc.com/education/articles/barefoot.aspx
http://www.easycareinc.com/education/links.aspx
http://www.pacifichoofcare.org/ Pacific Hoof Care Professionals
http://www.hoofrehab.com - Pete Ramey's Site
http://www.jaimejackson.com - Jaime Jackson's web site
http://www.tribeequus.com - Cindy Sullivan's web site
http://www.thehorseshoof.com
http://www.easycareinc.com - info on Barefoot and Boots
http://www.renegadehoofboots.com - Renegade Boots

These information sources will answer most of your questions and give you a greater understanding of what natural hoof care is about.

If you have specific questions, please call or email me. I really like to see my clients get educated in natural hoof care first, before we pull shoes, so that the horse can benefit, there is much more too it than just pulling the shoes and trimming.

Good luck!

Hoof Boots for Muddy Conditions

It's raining.... muddy trails are here.... The EasyBoot Grip is specifically designed for riding is wet, muddy conditions, like we have now. I have a bunch of these in my car if you are interested in seeing them and trying them out. They are essentially an Epic with a mud traction pattern on the sole. Check out the Easycare web site for more information: http://www.easycareinc.com/our_boots/easyboot_grip/Easyboot_Grip.aspx

Natural Balance Equine Dentistry

I took Annie and Feather to the best Equine Dentist this week - Spencer LaFlure. He lives in New York and travels to Northern CA every 6 months. He has a different approach to dental care than a typical vet or dentist - he says it is not about the activity of eating alone, it is about the muscles and the motion of the mouth that affects the TMJ and the whole anatomy and movement of the horse. Natural Balance Dentistry. He has seen lots of horses that have bad teeth, that are plenty plump. However, he has also seem incredible results that when the mouth is correctly balanced, the horse moves much freer and it even changes the top line of the horse for the better in about 2-3 months. He doesn't use power tools, which seems to be all the rage these days - he claims the heat burns the enamel and causes growth issues. Spencer works on the Parelli's horses and has giving clinics at the Savvy Conference. His approach is more like orthodontics for the horse, and he uses very little sedation. I was blown away at how little he did compared to my previous experienced with equine dentistry. It seems very similar to natural hoof care - less is more, balance is imperative, and what you do to the mouth/hoof affects to overall carriage of the horse.

Spencer has written a ton of papers on his approach to dentistry. He has a school where you could learn how to do this, or get your vet to learn his methods. He also has a CD you could order to better understand the horse's mouth, which I found very informative. I am going to have my other 3 horses done the next time he is in Northern CA. I would like him to come to our area - Cool or Greenwood - and spend a day doing horses. He needs about 8 horses to make a trip. I have 3 so I need to get together 5 more. Let me know if you are interested.

http://www.advancedwholehorse.com/

Rain, Rain, Rain....

The rain is here. I forgot how wet and cold it is. I worked in the rain today and I was miserable.... My tools get rusty when they get wet. I am going to be more prepared for the rain tomorrow. But, I am going to reschedule anyone that does not have a nice, covered space (i.e. real barn, not just a 12x12 shelter) on rainy days. I'll call in the morning, but just plan on if it is raining, and no good work space is available, lets reschedule. What I found today is that the horses always arranged themselves under the shelters so that they put me right on the edge of the roof, so not only did I have the rain, but also the run off from the room hitting my head. Anyway, I am not trying to complain - I think I may have one of the best jobs in the world - just giving you a heads up that I may be rescheduling more often this wet season.

New Size 00 Renegades

Perfect for the hind foot, actually a hind foot design! I love them, they are very well engineered for a 00 hind foot. These boots are available now, contact me if you would like a set. I do believe this is the first boot on the market that is designed specifically for a hind foot. I put a set on Feather this evening and they fit like a glove. Can't wait to give them a try after the rain clears up.

Also in the works is a new wider heel captivator for size 2 boots for horses that have big bones.