wundahoss
10-08-2008, 10:05 PM
Hi Guys,
It seems that many here may already be familiar with me from the other forum, but thought I'd write an intro post...
I'm near Melbourne, Australia and I'm a barefoot hoofcare practitioner, specialising in rehabbing horses. Well... just getting back into it now actually, after having kids & a bulging disk in my back! I also train animals(mainly horses & dogs) and instruct people in horsemanship.
I have learned from a lot of different sources, traditional & otherwise, not least the horses & dogs I've worked with. I am a life long student of behavioural psychology & ethology. When it all boils down, I guess you could say my 'training methods' were cowboy style combined with Parelli, combined with clicker training! :huh: I feel the most important parts of training are forming a happy, trusting and willing attitude in the animal. I develop a partnership, as opposed to the master/servant type relationship that is also prevalent in the world of pet horses & dogs.
I believe that as a rule, people & horses(& dogs) are better off if I teach the owners, along with their animals. I will not *generally* train other people's horses without them present & willing to learn. Likewise, with hoofcare, I ask the owners to learn the theory at least, so that they can make their own *informed* decisions about matters & not just take some 'experts' word for it, be that me or otherwise.
My 'method' of hoofcare?? See Pete Ramey's site(www.hoofrehab.com). While I've learned from a number of difference sources & only studied Pete's work in recent years, I've found his principles are in line with my own. Very basically, trimming to or near the live sole level and rolling or bevelling the outside wall is the main 'rule'. As with many subjects tho, I believe the principles are the vital thing to understand and keep in mind - specific details are rarely 'rules' that must apply in all cases. Every horse, every hoof is individual.
My attitude towards metal shoes? I believe they are detrimental to the health and correct function of the horse's hoof. As such I advise that barefoot is best and an alternative, such as hoof boots, be used wherever possible when needed for protection & support. At this point in time I have a hard time imagining many instances where metal shoes *may* be the best option. However, I don't think *short term* use of shoes causes too serious issues in itself, providing the trimming is top quality and in line with the horse's natural needs. I am always learning and researching, be it information that fits with or that is opposing my opinions. Very open to debating, should anyone feel the desire<G>. An open mind is a highly valuable asset, IMO.
Respectfully
Anya
It seems that many here may already be familiar with me from the other forum, but thought I'd write an intro post...
I'm near Melbourne, Australia and I'm a barefoot hoofcare practitioner, specialising in rehabbing horses. Well... just getting back into it now actually, after having kids & a bulging disk in my back! I also train animals(mainly horses & dogs) and instruct people in horsemanship.
I have learned from a lot of different sources, traditional & otherwise, not least the horses & dogs I've worked with. I am a life long student of behavioural psychology & ethology. When it all boils down, I guess you could say my 'training methods' were cowboy style combined with Parelli, combined with clicker training! :huh: I feel the most important parts of training are forming a happy, trusting and willing attitude in the animal. I develop a partnership, as opposed to the master/servant type relationship that is also prevalent in the world of pet horses & dogs.
I believe that as a rule, people & horses(& dogs) are better off if I teach the owners, along with their animals. I will not *generally* train other people's horses without them present & willing to learn. Likewise, with hoofcare, I ask the owners to learn the theory at least, so that they can make their own *informed* decisions about matters & not just take some 'experts' word for it, be that me or otherwise.
My 'method' of hoofcare?? See Pete Ramey's site(www.hoofrehab.com). While I've learned from a number of difference sources & only studied Pete's work in recent years, I've found his principles are in line with my own. Very basically, trimming to or near the live sole level and rolling or bevelling the outside wall is the main 'rule'. As with many subjects tho, I believe the principles are the vital thing to understand and keep in mind - specific details are rarely 'rules' that must apply in all cases. Every horse, every hoof is individual.
My attitude towards metal shoes? I believe they are detrimental to the health and correct function of the horse's hoof. As such I advise that barefoot is best and an alternative, such as hoof boots, be used wherever possible when needed for protection & support. At this point in time I have a hard time imagining many instances where metal shoes *may* be the best option. However, I don't think *short term* use of shoes causes too serious issues in itself, providing the trimming is top quality and in line with the horse's natural needs. I am always learning and researching, be it information that fits with or that is opposing my opinions. Very open to debating, should anyone feel the desire<G>. An open mind is a highly valuable asset, IMO.
Respectfully
Anya