Trimming Clinics & Training
Attend an interactive, information packed clinic or personal training session to find out what's behind the growing demand for Natural Hoof Care or to begin to develop trimming skills.
I recommend watching Pete Ramey's DVD Under The Horse, or read his book Making Natural Hoof Care Work for You along with his online updates before this (or any) clinic.
Host a HealthyHoof.com Clinic
Regionally offered HealthyHoof.com clinics are dependent on Clinic Organizer. I cover clinic expenses agreed to in writing, including refreshments. Organizer are responsible for finding a suitable clinic location, finding attendees & local publicity. If you're interested in managing a clinic, contact me at HealthyHoof@comcast.net !
Mentorship & Ride-Along Training
Mentor with me as I work in beautiful Sonoma or Marin County, California, just 1 hour north of San Francisco.
Mentorship's are a way for people to work with me in Sonoma, Napa or Marin Counties for one or more days.
A Mentorship is similar to a short term apprenticeship, however I do all the trimming as I answer questions, demonstrate trimming techniques, and tool use to teach you as much as I can that's pertinent to your specific situation. Because we look at a wide range of barefoot horses, its a great way to begin to understand how the same simple principles are applied to different hoof types.
Most of my Mentorship clients are professional hoof care providers (farrier's and trimmers) or owners who trim their own horses. I typically trim 6 horses a day, and schedule people so that we work with horses that allow me to address that persons specific needs.
COST - Mentorship cost is $150 a day. Supervised trimming on 1 horse (offered conditionally) optional depending on experience level. No additional cost to trim a horse for PHCP members.
Introductory Barefoot Clinic
Up to 15 Participants, any number of Auditors, up to 10 horses trimmed, more can be assessed. Cost varies based on location and enrollment.
This clinic discusses what barefoot is all about and assesses horses brought to the clinic. I do all the trimming, explain what I'm doing and why. Boots or casting are typically required for the front feet of riding horses coming out of shoes, and may be necessary for rear feet.
Hands-On Trimming Clinic
One or two Day Clinic, 10 to 15 Participants,and horses, up to 20 Auditors.
This is a hands-on trimming clinic. Participants should have some trimming experience and must bring their own horse and tools. Auditors can be novices.
We start the day by talking about anatomy, hoof protection and diet. Then we typically pull shoes off one or more horses, assess the condition of feet movement, discuss the trimming requirements for each.
Then owners begin to trim the horses, and, depending on the needs of the horses in the clinic, practice boot fitting and padding,.
These are long days. Bring lunch and snacks, and lots to drink because we don't take breaks during the day.
Topics That Can Be Covered:
- Review hoof and leg anatomy and function
- Review common hoof pathologies, their origin and rehab strategies
- Understanding "barefoot", the various approaches and terminology
- Finding a qualified trimmer, owner/trimmer challenges, owners partnering with a trimmer
- Trimming tool review for the owner and trimmer
- The historical role of shoeing, how it has helped horses and its long term impact on the hoof and distal limb
- Transitioning from shoes, what to expect, how to prepare
- The impact of medical history, diet, environment, water, soil, weather and exercise on hoof health
- Survey of hoof boots and pads, when they are used, which is best for each horse and why
- Hoof casting and hoof coatings, what works and why
- Learn to assess movement, body and hoof condition
- Review hoof infections, their cause and treatment (white line disease, thrush, canker)
I adjust clinic content to suit the Participants and their horses needs.
I coach people already trimming their horses, this is not a clinic to teach to absolute beginners how to trim! The focus is on what to trim and why.
Sonoma County Hands-On Trimming Clinic at Flag Foundation
This is a hands-on clinic using Flag Foundation horses and cadavers, and covers the same topics as the Hands-on Clinic. New trimmers can trim cadavers to gain tool use and then try trimming with a live horse.
Private & Semi-Private Lessons
Offered locally in Sonoma County, or following all remote clinics for clinic attendees.
I offer hands-on lessons for people who are currently trimming their own horses, depending on the individual, and I am willing to take on students who have never trimmed depending on the case and circumstance. Learning to trim takes dedication, study and practice, and is very hard work, but is rewarding if you invest the time and study necessary to do it well.
Semi-private lessons (Sonoma County)- $300 per 5 hour day for 3 or more people who have experience trimming.
Private lesson (Sonoma County)- $100 an hour with a two hour minimum. This is primarily for people who have experience trimming, but I will try to make it work for beginners who have an urgent need.
