Rainier Equine Hoof Recovery Center: Barefooters Bash 2009

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Barefooters Bash 2009

It all started with a phone call from Lori Holliday and a suggestion, “We should try to get a bunch of local trimmers together for a day.

Okay! Let’s set a date. How about June 14 at 1pm?

Perfect!

Some time goes by and we decide it might be a good idea to give as many trimmers as we know of a heads up. So we gathered as many email addresses as we could and sent emails. Later I created a flyer and it was sent out to everyone we knew of (two times – the second time with the actual correct date) and was forwarded on to other trimmers.

A dozen bare-footers showed up! At first, we are pretty much all about meeting each other and...well, the food.

And the dogs were wishing they were invited to the party. Because they too were pretty much all about the food.

Scrunchie - eyeballing someone's plate.

Mae is trying to look as irresistible as she possibly can,

and Lucy, Murphy and Shiela were waiting for someone to open the gate and yell, "WHO LET THE DOGS OUT? WHO...WHO!?"

Dan Becker's mare, Cru, wonders why all these predators are staring at her.

But we'd already had lunch, so instead of the main course, she was our model for Lori's power trim demo!

How cool is THAT!

Next, Boomer gets his hooves trimmed up! Oops! A quick peek under the tail and we discover that Annie is actually the demo donkey!

Here comes the parade of equines (residents of the Rainier Equine Hoof Recovery Center) and the Co-Grand Marshals are Boomer and Annie! You have to admit, they look a lot alike.

Spencer and Minnie the Mule

Danny, Neenah, Buck, Spencer, Forrest

Hank, Pearl, Peaches and Missy and Buster Brown

Hank, Buck, Danny and Missy

The horses all get bored with our hoof yakking and leave us one by one.

Jenn Smith arrives with her beautiful son, and her gorgeous barefoot reining horse, Cedar.

Cedar gets a trim!

This is how ya do it!

Jenn's little guy finds something to play with. "

Hey look! What can I do with this?"

A Bucket Buddy!

Sophie the barn cat was waiting to be entertained. Looks like she's thinking, "That's pretty good kid, but is that all ya got?"

Here is the guy who made it all possible. My hubmiester, Rich. He worked hard spiffing the place up. Thanks Hon!

I have a bunch of other pictures to post about our day together. Lots of discussion and basically getting to know each other. But time has gotten away from me, so I'm going to post what I have uploaded now and will add to this post later.

Suffice it to say, we had a great time! And plan to get togeher again next year. So if you missed this year's 1st Annual Barefooters Bash, come see us next year on June 19th! It will be bigger and better!

Ah, dessert was the BEST! Thanks! Lori!

Barefooters
Advocate
Sound
Hooves

5 comments:

Brooke (FBX Adventures - In Parenting) said...: Looks like fun! Are you going to be at Celebrate the Horse?; June 20, 2009 at 11:57 PM
Pat said...: Not tihs year. I have a trimming clinic that weekend.; June 21, 2009 at 9:28 AM
Reddunappy said...: Looks like you all had fun! Its great to get like minds together to swap stories and styles!; June 21, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Mikey said...: Wish I could have been there! Nothing better than a bunch of people getting together for horses. Love it!; June 22, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Pat said...: I wish you could have been there too Mikey! Maybe next year!

Pat; June 22, 2009 at 8:16 PM

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My Favorite Quotes

It takes courage to ride beyond the status quo, but with each stride, the view along the trail becomes more and more esquisite.

Don't accept. Understand.

"It only takes one sale to decide a horse's fate forever" (C. Ritlaw from her inspiring story about the Mustang named Scout in the Nov/Dec 09 issue of Equine Wellness)

"Those who say things can't be done should stand out of the way of those who are busy doing them."

Mother Nature provides enough food for every bird, but she doesn't throw it into the nest.

The truth becomes a part of our past, lies become a part of our future.

THINK!

Hoof Trimming Clinics

We generally offer at least one clinic per year in June/July. News about clinics can be found on our website. www.rainierhoofrehab.com

Pre-requisite for the clinic: Our HD-DVD, Discovering Your Horse's Natural Hooves - How to trim the barefoot horse. DVD can be purchased on our website www.rainierhoofrehab.com

To arrange a clinic outside of the dates listed above, or at your site, please contact us at 360-790-4181 or patslark@live.com or patslark@fairpoint.net

Tools you will need:

The tool brands listed below are suggested as a result of the many types of tools that I have personally tested. I strongly encourage you to purchase the tools recommended below.

Learning a new skill such as hoof trimming, where you are working with sometimes uncooperative live animals, is challenging in itself. Inferior tools only add an unnecessary level of difficulty and risk (for horses and humans) to the job.

NIPPERS:

GE Brand Nippers.

1 pair of 12 or 14 inch.

RASPS (2):

Prefer Heller Legend with Aluminum Rasp handle –comes in two sizes (Plastic or wooden handles are not recommended)

HOOF KNIFE:

The brand we will work is The Knife brand hoof knife.

ONE HOOF KNIFE PER STUDENT.

Choose right or left handed as needed.

Absolutely NO aluminum knife blades. (All knife blades are dangerous, but as a tool, aluminum knife blades are especially dangerous!)

LOOP KNIFE:

The Knife or JC brand Loop knife

We sell hoof knives and loop knives on site along with 14 inch nippers. They are not name brand tools, but much less expensive and will work temporarily.

APRON:

The apron is a personal preference. I recommend a cordura and leather farrier apron by NC. Cordura stays a bit cooler in the summer months than an all leather apron.

(I've seen students struggle with many different styles and brands of aprons and so far NC offers the most comfort and functionality offering room in the side pocket for 2 tools.)

HOOF STAND:

The Hoof Jack brand only. They offer a draft cradle and a mini stand and cradle. (Cheaper stands and similar styles are available, but we've tried them all and the Hoof Jack is the most user friendly. Used stands can sometimes be found on ebay and Craigs List.)

We have extra stands on site if you cannot get your stand in time for the clinic.

SMALL TOOLS:

Hoof Pick
Marking Pen
Tool/knife Sharpener (Smith sharpeners work well for hoof knives. Available at Walmart Stores and Duluth website.)
Painters wire brush – plastic handle preferred
Protective gloves – NO GARDENING GLOVES – leather reinforced - Mechpro is a good brand.
5 gallon bucket with Bucket Buddy

First Aid Kit is always smart to have on hand.

Most of the above list can be purchased at any Farrier Supply Store. (On-line as well.)

Participants who wish to bring their own horses should contact Pat for arrangements. Horses considered for the clinic should be cooperative with having their hooves handled for extended periods.

Clinics are held at the our farm:

Rainier Equine Hoof Recovery Center
12211 123rd Avenue SE
Rainier WA 98576

See http://www.rainierhoofrehab.com/

Accomdations: 10 minutes from Rainier.
http://www.prairiehotel.com/

Please note: there is a level of risk inherant to any job that involves very sharp tools to both students and horses. Liability waivers will be signed on day one.

Thank you

"Those who already know it all when they come to class arrive with a learning disability." Jake Van Morrison