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We’re leaving this morning for Congerville, Illinois to attend a hoof trimming clinic presented by Ida Hammer. Ida teaches “Natural Barefoot Trimming”.

After somewhere’s around 30 years off and on around horse I gotta admit what I know about em can be carried on a mosquito’s back. So here I am starting at the bottom - the hoofs.

In the last few months I been doing a lot of reading and asking questions about hoof functions and care. My previous hoof care knowledge was basically limited to hoof picks and farrier’s phone numbers. Although I’ve always been interested in farrier work, it always seemed like a mix of science and black magic.

Since we got “Dixie” I’ve been nudged into learning more. Vet said she has navicular.  We’ve gone through some ups and downs with her and a lot of different “cures”. Glucosamine, Isoxsuprine, bute, barefoot, shod with pads, etc. But what seemed to work best was when I told my farrier to shorten her toes as much as possible.

Then we met, Tom Marshal, a “barefoot trimmer”. Tom was a “regular” farrier for a lot of years before moving into the barefoot techniques. He’s traveled the country attending seminars and clinics. He’s one of those fellas that has the abilities and desire to learn. He is also a great horseman with knowledge and caring about the horses.

Anyways, here I am trying to learn this stuff. For the first time it is making sense. Most of what I’m learning has been right there in front of my nose for years in my horses’ feet. As I learn new things and recall past experiences it all comes together.

Now if you want to start a drag down, knock down argument just go to any horse related message board and put “Barefoot vs. Shod” in the subject line. You’ll also get a bunch of great information and experience if you can read by the b.s. posted by the close minded “experts”. And there is a difference between someone who is passionate about their opinion and can back it up and someone who just knows that is the way it ought to be.

Whatever your opinions I would suggest two books that I’ve read. “The Principles of  Horseshoeing” by Doug Butler. The copy I have is from the 70’s and he’s up to the 3rd revision. It’s expensive but I have the highest regards for his knowledge. “Making Natural Hoofcare Work for You” by Pete Ramey. This one was recommended by the trimming clinic. Tom Marshal has been to Mr. Ramey’s clinics. It is an excellent book written by a very knowledgeable man. It “turned on a lot of light bulbs” in my head when I read it. It’s less than 20 bucks and should be law that every horse owner reads it.

Wish me luck. We’ll be staying over Friday night in a motel and the clinic is on Saturday. By Sunday hopefully I’ll  be a more informed fella that ain’t scared to death of trimming a hoof.