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As I travel through Saskatchewan and Alberta I will be looking to do some hoof trimming as a way to raise money along the way.
I am loking to make the trimming by donation or 'free will offering' as I've often heard it called out in the Maritimes. My 2010 fees are below on this page can act as a guide, but I would like to make it more open. Those that can afford more will know that it is going to help support the ride. Those that can afford less or perhaps some sort of exchange, well that's fine as well. I find that it all works out in the end. You'll find details about my experience below. Thanks! |
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I first got involved in hoof trimming in the late summer of 2007 taking Lisa Huhn's fantastic Trimmer One course. Lisa's website is equinextion.com. That intense and wonderful course got me completely hooked and started me on a long journey of learning about hoof care and the overall health of the horse that is wrapped up in that. Whenever I try to visualise what a healthy hoof should like, I think of Lisa's horses and her work. I cannot reccomend her seminars too much. The photos here are from her Equinextion site. Since then I have continued my studies researching various other peoples work, reading & watching videos. Pete Ramey's (hoofrehab.com) work in particular has been very inspiring to me. All of these trimming concepts use the hoof of the wild horse as it's inspiration and involves vital concepts in horse care and keeping as well as hoof care as essential elements to hoof and horse health. |
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| I would say that experience and the horses themselves are becoming my primary teacher at this moment. Most of my trimming experience has been at Trails End Ranch with Chris Benz' herd of 15-20 horses. I would encourage you to contact Chris if you wish to ask someone about my work or to visit her wonderful guest ranch. She is the person that knows my trimming best and is an experienced trimmer herself. Chris' email is TrailsEnd(at)canwan.com |
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I have now been able to see my work develop over an extended period of time and the results have been very good. I have dealt with flares, too thin sole depth, too thick, thrush, cracks, heel contraction, frog underdevelopement, some founder and laminitis, club feet etc. I would also say that this is a long journey and I have so much still to learn. I am not at all afraid to say that something is too much for my knowledge or experience to handle. |
My rates at the moment are: (per horse)
$35 maintenance trim
$45 for a first or setup trim unless the hoofs are in good shape and only need a maintenance trim
$50/hr for problem or difficult horses that need extra time.
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| My work at Trails End involves learning about natural horsemanship from the amazing Chris Benz (Parelli, Field, Anderson). I use natural horsemanship techniques and concepts when I trim. |
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If you are interested in having me come out to trim your horse please email me at catherine.fiain@gmail.com
Just to be clear, I am a barefoot trimmer and do not work with horse-shoes at all. |
| The following photos courtesy of equinextion.com |
This is what healthy hoofs look like ! |
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