Note from the Author:   UPDATED 9/24/05

Well, it's been now almost 3 years since I put up this website. During the last 3 years thousands of people have visited and hundreds have contacted me about the health of their horses' hooves. People asking about white line disease, founder, navicular, thrush, pedalosteitis, ringbone and more, including simple transitioning from shoes to barefoot. I've been honored and remain so to be able to be part of so many horses' healings and feel thankful that I had the opportunity to engage in earnest studies with Marjorie Smith for the time we had before she moved to PA. 

I think the most profound example of the power of the natural horse and hoof is the healing of the horse pictured above. This horse is a magnificent 9 year old Lippizan who was scheduled to be euthanized because of "incurable" and "degenerative" Navicular. After numerous vets, farriers and even a chiropractor told the owner there was nothing more that could be done, the appointment was made. In a last resort moment of desperation, the owner found my name and called me to remove the wedged shoes and pads from her horse's hooves and try the "barefoot trim".  I arrived at the barn on a cold, blustery and snowy winter's day in January of 2004.  I arrived to meet a 17+ hh horse in a VERY small, 12 X 12 stall. Without reservation, I entered the stall and begin to examine the hooves. The owner began to tell me "his horse's story". One memorable point in his story was that the last time a "farrier" had been to see him, he wore a chain across his gums and he had reared up and flipped over backwards as the farrier was working on him. Being in this VERY small stall with this humungous horse with a well-shod hoof in my hand as I was told this story really stopped me in my tracks ... for a moment. A moment long enough to say, "I think he'll be fine." (frantically praying that he *would* be fine !)  He was, indeed, a soft, gentle giant albeit a tad bit nervous. The short of the long is that his shoes were removed, he moved to PENZANCE in June of 2004 and just last month, August of 2005, he was veterinary examined and pronounced 100% sound to go back into full work. Of course, the vet said, "I don't understand HOW this horse is sound! His toes are too short, his heels are too short and you do know that you'll have to put shoes on him for full work!"  The comment was acknowledged with appreciation and reassurance that he was sound without shoes and he would remain without shoes. Another portion to this story was that the last time this horse was ridden, 3 or more years ago, he had put his owner in the hospital with bucks too hard, fast and furious to sit. He had been in such horrific pain there was no tolerance for even a slight, thin young lady to be on his back.  Fast forward - just last week the owner had her first ride on him in 3 years. He was soft, willing and even offered a bit of contact and roundness in his first try. Nary a thought of bucking or pain.  I fully expect that at this time next year they will have some awesome winnings in their eventing! The heart is there along with the full health of hooves, mind and body.  Given the chance for Mother Nature to work, horses can heal and become sound again with all the correct parameters in place -- natural environment, natural bodies and hooves, natural diet and most of all, the natural will to survive. 

Thank you, 'Call Me Ishael', for one of the most profound experiences in my life. You are the impetus for my furthering studies and passion for Natural Hoofcare and Training. Thanks for the horsey slobbers and "hugs", too. No better 'encouraging words' or "thanks" could ever be spoken by a human tongue.                --Gwen