Comments for 4 Sweet Feet http://4sweetfeet.com For the Natural Trim, and the Natural Horse Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:03:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on A Clicker Gallery by Dawn Willoughby http://4sweetfeet.com/articles/a-clicker-gallery/comment-page-1/#comment-61167 Dawn Willoughby Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:03:02 +0000 http://dawnwilloughby/?p=550#comment-61167 Hertha...thanks for stopping by. I am all about living with my horse in a companionship that works for both of us. Lately I am into body work, which lead me to energy work. I was already communicating as a novice and that has improved. One thing leads to another! BTW I have been negligent in transferring my Blog Posts from the Easy Care site to my site. If you are interested they are under the title, Notes From the Field. I even slipped one in on clicker training!!! Have a great winter, Dawn Hertha…thanks for stopping by. I am all about living with my horse in a companionship that works for both of us. Lately I am into body work, which lead me to energy work. I was already communicating as a novice and that has improved. One thing leads to another!

BTW I have been negligent in transferring my Blog Posts from the Easy Care site to my site. If you are interested they are under the title, Notes From the Field. I even slipped one in on clicker training!!!

Have a great winter,
Dawn

]]> Comment on Hoof Trimming Videos by Dawn Willoughby http://4sweetfeet.com/articles/hoof-trimming-videos/comment-page-1/#comment-61066 Dawn Willoughby Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:38:48 +0000 http://4sweetfeet.com/?p=749#comment-61066 When I taught folks to trim, I never taught them to trim the outer wall as that is only an issue when there is flaring. Flaring hopefully will disappear when the owner has grown a good foot. Having said that I have never experienced any problems with doing the outer wall. When these horses show up with huge flares, I address the bottom third as recommended by Pete Ramey. You can definitely get there without touching the outer wall. I did an OTTB that way just to prove it to myself. Go Owner Trimmers!!! When I taught folks to trim, I never taught them to trim the outer wall as that is only an issue when there is flaring. Flaring hopefully will disappear when the owner has grown a good foot. Having said that I have never experienced any problems with doing the outer wall. When these horses show up with huge flares, I address the bottom third as recommended by Pete Ramey. You can definitely get there without touching the outer wall. I did an OTTB that way just to prove it to myself.
Go Owner Trimmers!!!

]]> Comment on Tips For the Owner Trimmer by Dawn Willoughby http://4sweetfeet.com/articles/tips-for-the-owner-trimmer-2/comment-page-1/#comment-61065 Dawn Willoughby Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:35:26 +0000 http://dawnwilloughby/?p=212#comment-61065 Junia...so nice for you to stop by. Delighted you are going bare as it is clearly better for horses. On the Easy Care Blog, I am now writing Posts in "Notes from the Field". I think you will like all the articles...that I have yet to bring here...but especially treatments for thrush. Do not give up! Dawn Junia…so nice for you to stop by. Delighted you are going bare as it is clearly better for horses. On the Easy Care Blog, I am now writing Posts in “Notes from the Field”. I think you will like all the articles…that I have yet to bring here…but especially treatments for thrush. Do not give up!

Dawn

]]> Comment on Tips For the Owner Trimmer by Junia http://4sweetfeet.com/articles/tips-for-the-owner-trimmer-2/comment-page-1/#comment-60402 Junia Sun, 15 Jan 2012 03:38:23 +0000 http://dawnwilloughby/?p=212#comment-60402 Wow, this is encouraging! I just ran into barefoot trimming about 3 months ago. I spent a LONG time on the internet researching, and decided to tackle barefoot trimming on my horse and pony. My horse has never been shod, and has pretty good feet except that she has thrush in her fronts right now. My pony has been shod all her life, has wall flare from going too long between trimmings, and has (of course) contracted heels, as well as thrush. :) Pretty heavy right now, but I'm convinced I'm doing the right thing, and I'm loving the trimming business. I've seen a lot of good hoof's photos and I'm pretty pleased with my results so far. My dad thinks I'm nuts to try barefoot, although he is kind of awed that I'm doing my trimming myself. Fortunately, my mom is very supportive of me and thinks that I know exactly what I'm doing and that really helps. I'm considering getting some boots for the pony, and I want to get some pea gravel for under the run-in shed. Thanks for all the great articles! Wow, this is encouraging! I just ran into barefoot trimming about 3 months ago. I spent a LONG time on the internet researching, and decided to tackle barefoot trimming on my horse and pony. My horse has never been shod, and has pretty good feet except that she has thrush in her fronts right now. My pony has been shod all her life, has wall flare from going too long between trimmings, and has (of course) contracted heels, as well as thrush. :) Pretty heavy right now, but I’m convinced I’m doing the right thing, and I’m loving the trimming business. I’ve seen a lot of good hoof’s photos and I’m pretty pleased with my results so far. My dad thinks I’m nuts to try barefoot, although he is kind of awed that I’m doing my trimming myself. Fortunately, my mom is very supportive of me and thinks that I know exactly what I’m doing and that really helps. I’m considering getting some boots for the pony, and I want to get some pea gravel for under the run-in shed. Thanks for all the great articles!

]]> Comment on A Clicker Gallery by Hertha http://4sweetfeet.com/articles/a-clicker-gallery/comment-page-1/#comment-60087 Hertha Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:57:23 +0000 http://dawnwilloughby/?p=550#comment-60087 How wonderful to find a site combining clicker training with hoof care. How wonderful to find a site combining clicker training with hoof care.

]]> Comment on Hoof Trimming Videos by Hoof Trimming Advice Needed http://4sweetfeet.com/articles/hoof-trimming-videos/comment-page-1/#comment-59225 Hoof Trimming Advice Needed Sun, 08 Jan 2012 00:01:04 +0000 http://4sweetfeet.com/?p=749#comment-59225 [...] AllHorse, Here are a series of videos that may help. Only one thing I disagree with - I won't rasp the outer wall of the hoof. I think these videos were made when this was in vogue. These aren't gosple, but they are helpful. This trimmer has retired and now blogs for EasyCare. Hoof Trimming Videos4 Sweet Feet | 4 Sweet Feet [...] [...] AllHorse, Here are a series of videos that may help. Only one thing I disagree with – I won't rasp the outer wall of the hoof. I think these videos were made when this was in vogue. These aren't gosple, but they are helpful. This trimmer has retired and now blogs for EasyCare. Hoof Trimming Videos4 Sweet Feet | 4 Sweet Feet [...]

]]> Comment on Hoof Trimming Videos by Dawn Willoughby http://4sweetfeet.com/articles/hoof-trimming-videos/comment-page-1/#comment-58982 Dawn Willoughby Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:55:42 +0000 http://4sweetfeet.com/?p=749#comment-58982 Hi Carrie and good for you! I hope you are teaching others and spreading the word. I am now writing for Easy Care Blog here: http://blog.easycareinc.com/blog/notes-from-the-field I haven't gotten them to my site yet but I know you will enjoy them! Take care, Dawn Hi Carrie and good for you! I hope you are teaching others and spreading the word. I am now writing for Easy Care Blog here: http://blog.easycareinc.com/blog/notes-from-the-field I haven’t gotten them to my site yet but I know you will enjoy them! Take care, Dawn

]]> Comment on Getting Your Footing by Dawn Willoughby http://4sweetfeet.com/articles/getting-your-footing/comment-page-1/#comment-58981 Dawn Willoughby Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:53:45 +0000 http://dawnwilloughby/?p=147#comment-58981 Hi Barbara and good for you for pulling the shoes. The most common cause of tripping is long toes. If you drew a line on the bottom of her foot, at the widest point, not more than 1/2 of the foot should be on the toe side. 1/3 is even better. My guess is that she has more than half her foot in front of that mid line? Let me know. Secondly I would encourage you to contact the Equine Science Academy and ask if there is anyone who you can work with. Once you get her feet right I hope she will be a happier girl. If you have the money I would encourage you to find some who does some kind of body work and healing. I would ask around...certainly trimmers know who is doing what. Maybe you have a chiropractor, acupuncturist etc. Regarding her radiographs: We don't treat Xrays! Try to get everything right and perhaps your horse can over come her bit of "wear and tear". I too have wear and tear...I was advised not to label it A....... if I wanted it to heal! Good luck to you. I am not trimming these days. More into healing. And riding! Big hug, Dawn Hi Barbara and good for you for pulling the shoes. The most common cause of tripping is long toes. If you drew a line on the bottom of her foot, at the widest point, not more than 1/2 of the foot should be on the toe side. 1/3 is even better. My guess is that she has more than half her foot in front of that mid line? Let me know.

Secondly I would encourage you to contact the Equine Science Academy and ask if there is anyone who you can work with. Once you get her feet right I hope she will be a happier girl.

If you have the money I would encourage you to find some who does some kind of body work and healing. I would ask around…certainly trimmers know who is doing what. Maybe you have a chiropractor, acupuncturist etc.

Regarding her radiographs: We don’t treat Xrays! Try to get everything right and perhaps your horse can over come her bit of “wear and tear”. I too have wear and tear…I was advised not to label it A……. if I wanted it to heal!

Good luck to you. I am not trimming these days. More into healing. And riding!

Big hug,
Dawn

]]> Comment on Getting Your Footing by Dawn Willoughby http://4sweetfeet.com/articles/getting-your-footing/comment-page-1/#comment-58978 Dawn Willoughby Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:46:25 +0000 http://dawnwilloughby/?p=147#comment-58978 Well Christi...your horse is probably better by now. Sorry for the late reply! The deep wells on either side of the frog are the collateral grooves. If I put my hoof pick at the bottom, right in the back of the foot and noted where the heels came on the hoof pick, it would measure about 3/4" on a 900 lb TB. My horse is pretty much correct now. I am not quite sure about the fish gills and frog. Could you send me a photo if it is still a problem? If your horse tip toes after a trim, the farrier most likely trimmed the heels too much, forcing your horse to walk on an ouchy back of foot...sore frog? Undeveloped back of foot. I put an article on the Easy Care Blog...http://blog.easycareinc.com/blog/notes-from-the-field If you go there and find 2 articles that will help you 1. If I only had 4 frogs...I put in many recipes to treat the feet 2. Learning to evaluate your horses feet. May I suggest you contact the Equine Science Academy and see if they have a trimmer or one in training who can help you. The ESA teaches everything, not just trimming.....diet, etc. I am sure they can help. If they don't have anyone near you, try the AANHCP. Trimmers can teach you how to trim and then you can keep the feet perfect. Good Luck and thanks for stopping by! Well Christi…your horse is probably better by now. Sorry for the late reply! The deep wells on either side of the frog are the collateral grooves. If I put my hoof pick at the bottom, right in the back of the foot and noted where the heels came on the hoof pick, it would measure about 3/4″ on a 900 lb TB. My horse is pretty much correct now.

I am not quite sure about the fish gills and frog. Could you send me a photo if it is still a problem?

If your horse tip toes after a trim, the farrier most likely trimmed the heels too much, forcing your horse to walk on an ouchy back of foot…sore frog? Undeveloped back of foot.

I put an article on the Easy Care Blog…http://blog.easycareinc.com/blog/notes-from-the-field If you go there and find 2 articles that will help you 1. If I only had 4 frogs…I put in many recipes to treat the feet 2. Learning to evaluate your horses feet.

May I suggest you contact the Equine Science Academy and see if they have a trimmer or one in training who can help you. The ESA teaches everything, not just trimming…..diet, etc. I am sure they can help. If they don’t have anyone near you, try the AANHCP. Trimmers can teach you how to trim and then you can keep the feet perfect.

Good Luck and thanks for stopping by!

]]> Comment on Abscesses by Dawn Willoughby http://4sweetfeet.com/articles/abscesses/comment-page-1/#comment-58976 Dawn Willoughby Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:37:53 +0000 http://dawnwilloughby/?p=259#comment-58976 Hi Jen and sorry for the tardy reply. You know, the holidays. Well your vet is just like most I am afraid. White Lightening is a liquid I use for soaking if I am concerned about thrush or there being bacteria in a crack. If you want a disinfecting agent I listed some recipes in one of my articles on the Easy Care Horse Boot Blog: If only I had 4 frogs. http://blog.easycareinc.com/blog/notes-from-the-field Just page down until you find the correct article. Best of Luck to you and your horses! Dawn Hi Jen and sorry for the tardy reply. You know, the holidays. Well your vet is just like most I am afraid. White Lightening is a liquid I use for soaking if I am concerned about thrush or there being bacteria in a crack. If you want a disinfecting agent I listed some recipes in one of my articles on the Easy Care Horse Boot Blog: If only I had 4 frogs.
http://blog.easycareinc.com/blog/notes-from-the-field Just page down until you find the correct article.
Best of Luck to you and your horses!
Dawn

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