Healthy Hooves Natural Hoof Care
rear hoof of Charlie, a 5 yr old barefoot horse
Thanks for stopping in at the online home of Healthy Hooves Natural Hoof Care. Natural hoof care is an old concept that is making a huge comeback in the equestrian world. I hope that this website will help answer some of your questions about natural hoof care, what is involved and how it can help your horse be sounder, healthier and happier.
I am using trimming practices and principles based on the wild horse model, first promoted by Jamie Jackson, founder of the American Association of Natural Hoof Care Practictioners (AANHCP). Our first and most important guideline is "Do no harm". My trimming methods are non-invasive and most of the time the horse walks off after his trim more comfortable then before his trim.
Natural hoof care can work for any horse in any situation. There is no reason that your horse can't be barefoot AND live a healthy, active lifestyle that includes riding wherever you want to ride, whenever you want to ride. There are some horses that can go anywhere and do anything totally barefoot, while others may need a pair of hoof boots to handle some terrain including the extreme rocks of our logging roads found in the Northwest. While there are some "ideals" of natural horse keeping and natural hoof care that are frequently mentioned when people talk or read about natural hoof care, I tend to work with the reality of your individual situation to help you maximize the benefits of being barefoot for your horse, while staying within the bounds of what fits your horse keeping style. . Check out my FAQ page and see answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about natural hoof care.
This site is very much a work in progress and shares my time with a busy hoof care practice, as well as my breeding business and farm and family. So with that in mind, I ask that you please be patient and check back in frequently as I will be adding more content, pictures, case studies, etc as I am able.
For now, let me leave you with this information:
Phone numbers ~ (503)606-9883 or (503)871-6923 (cell)
I am enrolled in the AANHCP certification program and am working my way towards full certification.
While I am based in Dallas, Oregon, I am willing to travel some distance to take care of your horses' hooves. My normal "service range" extends about 1.5 hrs drive time from my home, which takes me down south to the Eugene area, out to the coast both by Newport and by Lincoln City, upwards to Portland and out east to the Silverton and Stayton areas.. And of course to any of the areas in between these places. If you live outside of this range, do please still give me a call or drop me an email, perhaps arrangements can be made for me to come to where ever you are. I'm willing to travel so lets see what can be worked out!!