Rainier Equine Hoof Recovery Center: Basic Barefoot Trimming DVD progress

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Basic Barefoot Trimming DVD progress

Just an update on how we are doing on the DVD. The packaging is being developed and the title of the DVD is currently:

Discovering Your Horse's Natural Hoof.

Learn to Trim Your Barefoot Horses.

You will be able to purchase the DVD through the Rainier Equine Hoof Recovery Center website. The original site has been replaced by one I'm working on myself and is still under construction.

And of course, all proceeds from the DVD sales go to the REHRC non-profit i.e. hay for the horses we are rehabbing.'

I'm hoping that we'll be distributing the DVD this Spring. Just like natural hoofcare, it's a process! But don't give up...it's just a very busy time of year.

Thanks!
Pat

8 comments:

restoration42 said...: Looking forward to this.; December 13, 2009 at 11:01 AM
sahara4d said...: Hi Pat, will you have anything about trimming mules and donkeys in your DVD? I ask because I have a mini donkey that had very over grown feet with a lot of white line stretching that I have been working on getting back to normal. I had a hard time finding good pics and info about the differences in the makeup of the different hooves. Looking forward to seeing the DVD. Desiree; December 13, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Pat said...: Sarah, We haven't filmed any donkey or mule trimming...yet. We're not done yet though and that is something we can consider.

I wonder if we should do a completely separate DVD for that, but I don't know that I'd sell many copies. It's pretty expensive to get one of these done.

But when I start trimming donks/mules whose hooves have gotten long and the white line stretched I trim into that stretched white line and then I look at the outside of the hoof and rasp the to back to the healthiest hoofwall angle that is growing out. As close as possible before I get past the inside of the white line.

It takes time to grow out that healthiest angle, but in overgrown situations, I trim every 2 weeks.

Their heels will often get very high also, which needs to be addressed as well.

Donkey hooves were designed for use on very rugged terrain, so they hold up to wear better than horse hooves. Most mules are born with donkey hooves, rather than horse hooves.

So rather than growing and flaring and breaking off, the heels get very high and the toes long and the hooves will sort of corkscrew around rather than break off.

I've seen very neglected donkey feet get so long that they actually twist around with the toe pointing toward the tail. Very sad and I can't imagine what that does to the coffin bone. An x-ray would have been good in that case. But usually if owners are that neglectful they are not going to pay for something like x-rays.

Can you fix a situation like that? Sometimes you can if the coffin bone is so remodeled that the donkey is in pain.

Thank you for your comment. Great idea and I wish we would have thought of it while we were doing the bulk of the filming.

If you want to email pictures to me, of your donkey's feet, I'll be happy to help you with them as much as I can. patslark@fairpoint.net

Pat; December 13, 2009 at 2:42 PM
sahara4d said...: Thanks Pat. I'll try to get some pics soon. He's come a long way and I think that we are almost to the point that we need to be. I'm sure we would have been there sooner but I didn't keep to a tight trimming schedule and at first I wasn't sure how much to take off...didn't want to hurt him. A friend that is a barefoot trimmer helped guide me a time or two. The more info I can get the better trimmer I become. Desiree; December 14, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Solely Equine said...: Hi Pat, I was just talking with my cousin the other day saying someone should suggest a DVD on donkey and mule trimming. i worked on my first 2 mini donkeys a week ago, their hooves are sooo much different I had no idea. I had forgotten you were working on DVD's too, we were going to write to the Pete Ramey camp and suggest that for his That's My Horse series. It's something I would buy for sure.; December 20, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Pat said...: You know what guys. I'm not sure, since we are basically done filming, if I can add trimming a mule or donkey to the video. I'll see what the production crew thinks about it.
But I have a donkey and mule I'm going to be trimming soon and I'll take pics and do some describing of the trim and add a post here.

Pat; December 21, 2009 at 8:57 AM
sahara4d said...: A post with donkey and mule feet would be great! It would be hard to add to the video...I'm sure that all of you want to complete it. I'll be trimming my donkey (Charlie) this weekend. I'll get some pics to send to you to see what you think. Happy Holidays to all! Desiree; December 21, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Pat said...: Donkey trim added!; September 22, 2013 at 6:38 PM

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