A Simple way of tracing your horse's hoof

 Saving time by not going back to the rig to  size up a shoe or Hoof Boot

Self Test Hoof Soreness Quick Tips

 This Observance is my daily bread, I'm not a horse physic, but an observer to making a horse sound and comfortable.
My Finding and Research to be brought forward into book format soon.  The findings are  interesting that horse soreness and lameness  to founder does not seems to be so much apparent on horse's of the dry desert hard ground Nevada, Arizona, Australia.  Environment and Nutrition  are important but then  Lack of domestic feeds and only of Natural range feeds seems to be the key. Famous Words " we kill them with Kindness".

 Seeing this study, a more Wet Environment seems to be the cause of more Hoof Soreness and problems.  Hoof Protection is a must  either a home made pad, Shoes , or Boots.  BAREFOOT IS  BARE 100%    and the weakest part on a Horse  through all the Evolution is its Feet.  I still cant figure out why we were created without clothes? Humor .....

 As I drive around the countryside  and backroads. to the Valley floor, I can Indentify a sore horse - lame horse by the way the horse is standing.

Here is your Quick self check tips you can observe yourself:
Indentify  your horse's  hoof  soreness  by knowing your horse each time you walk by your horse either to feed them or just a  slight defference out of your corner of your eye. Seems you'll notice a horse sound will have a nice  light spring -bounce to its walk

Short stepping, short stride,  point of one leg forward,  the Horse going around a path such as a road being barefoot and going to softer ground, so not acullay going the shortest distance  from A - B but the least amount of ground pain to the Animal.
 Horse;s seems to stand more, not so alert  not running to thier food, a very slow walk stance, a bit of dull eyes, short stiff walks .

  A lot of this you can see like I do by driving in your car and see this  in someone else's horse pasture.

  In depth hoof soreness testing can be done with pressing your thumbs onto the sole area surrounding and frog area to see response  or  Hoof testers, a Qualified  Farrier and or a qualified Vet. It would be a good idea while in the area to check for Heat  and any digital pulse  .  many signs of horse distress can be found by checking heart rate by symptom... I will post the basic check list

 but I'm not talking here Abcess Testing ,a Ridin hard horse,   im talking here bascially the amount of Barefoot Horses with not much riding and basic riding  .   We all should know that the frog must be stimulated  to provide a nice hoof and growth by heart rate ( exercise)  this helps mold the healthy foot of a Horse.  and how much each horse can compensate or the ability of.

My belief stands that Horseshoes really correct problems and prevent problems than  a horse barefoot  can  especially in founder cases and club foot and cracks .  The hoof flexs more than you think with and without shoes .Sorry if you disagree but come along a take a ride  I have  proven my facts along with some other top professionals
   more Self tips to come....  why its called @Opinion of the Hoof !

Fresian Cross Balance

 Our  Endurance Team HoofWorks has some success  with great riders Nicole Chapple with G, a Fresian /Arab  having only one eye this horse is excelling in Endurance with top rider Nicole,  shod by myslef, in modified  Natural Balance center fit shoes took 1st. place and best condition at the High Desert ride Oct 17 2010,  Other team member Chuck Centers with Daisy came in 3rd,  fiiting in custom NB'S, other 100 mile team members are Robert Palmarie and Jim Hole with Little Big Man.

  I'm also honored to be working with some fine Hanovarian Jumpers at Rainbow Equss Meadows in Lincoln Ca.

Success Results at 100 mile Endurance events 2010

Well  its been a very busy year for me ,  lots of documents images of what the hoof is saying and correcting it language.
true test s were keeping horse sound over 100 miles  Tevis and Virginia City   using NB'S  all 4 pads and no clips  onw arab took 2nd place just 12 min. behind, the other the true test of my work was  a Fresian-Arab cross fitted with the same pattern NB'S -Pads and the luck of no clips   this incredable horse took 6th place. pix to follow. updates to come  but i feel my site here may just be more for my winter leasure time....

Tevis 2010 FreeForm

 It's been quite a while since i've done any updating, long rainy season, heavy shoeing schedule, mom died.
 So all getting  things in line  was able to attend again this year Tevis 2010  with some of my horses sporting my custom shoeing  and great succes that was for the team.

  the Finish was a extra bonus with John Crandell winning the event and riding in a saddle i was co- owner with and development with Chris Martin, the Freeform Saddle.  i later went more with interests in hoof care and out of saddle fit and comfort for horse and rider. Now i'm on the ground breaking hoof ideas.  with all saying will try to ost some new interesting topics, for now Ride!

3-30-2010 Busy Schedule

I had to check in been away and very busy have new updates and clinic posting i attended by Esco Buff
 Founder Lessons  using methods heartbar  and  Limb lenght Disparity , more balanced weight trimmings

 also took in a new horse  CMK MARE  nice Azria Mahliqua is her name  May is her nik name
 will update and images  more to come.... sorry for being away  just too busy   shoeing, trimming ,boot fitting, making p3 boots, fixing club foot   im at 7 days a week and then in the shop inventing even more ways to help the horse and owner  all fun stuff ... Steve   PS...  need a home for my FAME GAME  not much time for him so hes avaiable to the right home only

Shadow Magic Running in the Clouds

 Shadow Magic  July 20 1974- Jan 08-2010.. a Special Horse, my first horse arab/saddlebred, pure black. Witez2 / Black Magic /Ragail