Working on the Encyclopedic Dictionary of Farriery for next year... So I launched a new blog to feature sample articles and illustrations as the project comes together...

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I have just committed to give a 3 day clinic in Ireland and then be a guest lecturer at a lameness symposium in Germany, need feedback, give me questions to answer...if I don't know I'll find out, that's how we all learn.

Another Clinic in the series was completed Sat. June 6th. It was attended by several local farriers who have completed and graduated from MT State University Farrier courses of Study.

I was glad to hear their comments and concern, but most of all, the Clinician was able to show a case study of a horse who 2 of the farriers had previously worked on, and given up. The horse has been under the care of the Barefoot Performance Clinician for almost a year. All the abcesses (3 & 4 in each hoof), are now cleared up, and the horse is now sound. The owner is once again riding the horse on mountain trail rides, with no signs of lameness or sore feet.

As for myself, I have used the bearfoot, from the top down trimming on 3 geldings who are now doing just great on rocky mountain terraine, and am well on the way to repairing the extensive damage done by a previous farrier. My show mare is 1 more trim away from having those wonderful feet she used to have when we won all of our ribbons and trophies in the show ring, and all without shoes.

My tip to those considering the technique is to find someone who has done it sucessfully, and go look at the horses feet. There are a lot of want-a-be's out there. Make sure you get someone who is not practicing on your horse.

I attempted to trim some toe flare on the right front hoof of one of my geldings last night. I am still not clear as to why my horses get the toe flare, after only 2 weeks following my farriers trims. It is obvious to me that I need to research this particular issue a lot more. I was also able to take off a huge flare on the left hind foot of the same gelding. I am inclined to beleive the flare issue in the Right fron toe is somewhat related to the outside heel flare on the left hind (oposite diagonals).

One thing I can see is that he seldom takes enough heel off. On several of my horses, the heel is within 3 mm of the same length of the toe. This has an affect on the angle of the hoof, to angle of the pastern, all the way to the angle of the shoulder. I hope to get proficient enough to correct these issues, and have a much better traveling horse. Laura

I will set up a seperate album for the pics. Most of the disected hoof pics are pretty clear. The key issues I wanted to address are:
1) Hoof trims without having to tone up my thighs, where I seem to have little strength. The Bearfoot aproach uses a hoof Jack and holding the hoof between your knees is used little to none.
2) Little to no need for the hoof nippers or hoof knife. My hands are not real large or strong, and squeezing the nippers was always an issue. The new method uses the hoof Rasp, and the younger horses can deal with that a lot easier. Also, the rasp allows you to take off a more accurate amount of hoof, than the nippers. As for the hoof knife, it is predominantly used to remove sole. I live in some serious rockie country, and my horses need the sole for protecting the coffin bone.
3) Steel Shoes have been easy for me to fit and shape, but I am not convinced they are the best thing for the horse. This is due to a TB mare we aquired who had constant hoof problems, including cracks, split hoof, virtually no sole, and numerous abcesses. The steel shoes basically masked the problem, but were not a permanent cure. Slip on Boot type shoes were immediately thrown off (one way or another).

My expectation of the Bearfoot Performance Farrier Clinis is to resolve these issues without killing me.

If the toe, heel, and quarters are trimmed correctly, it will allow the heels as well as the entire hoof to expand and provide better support for the horse. Resulting in Happy Hoof / Happy Horse.

Laura

The Bearfoot Performance Farrier Cinic was just great, and I have an entirely new way of looking at hoof trims. We had the opportunity to actually trim a hoof, and were allowed to take pictures of the step by step process. After the trim & lecture session, we then disected a leg from knee to tip of coffin bone. I took step by step pictures of that as well. The bearfoot trimming is a completely new concept, and I do feel I will need to practice on some problem hooves, before being confident I have it down. It does look to be a spacific method that is better for the horse, and the logistics reflect how it will prevent abcesses. My previous farriers seemed to do a good job, but I have had to many Vet calls for abcessed hoofs.
The primary technique shown at the clinic, was the proper angles of you body ad hands to get the job done without putting the hoof between your knees. This is all done using a hoof Jack, and makes the job a lot faster, and not so physically challenging.

I may set up the pics and more info on a seperate site, if it is unacceptable to use this venue. Let me know what you think.
Laura

Who can educate me on both titanium and polymer shoes. I understand there are some new composites that are being used that flex and allow more movement of the shape of the hoof improving blood circulation.