Hoofcare Schedules...

So I wanted to do bring up the topic of "The Hoofcare Schedule"  Generically a lot of farriers say see you in 6-8 weeks... and the barefooters are adamant about every 4wks. But where does this time frame come from, they are just arbitrary schedules. I do use these same figures to generalize but in reality your Farrier (me...)  should be working with your horse and the horse should dictate the schedule based on the hoof and there needs in and out of the show pen!

So the next time your farrier says I need to work on this guy again in 2 or 10 wks know that it is because the horse and hoof are saying so.  If you do not trust your farrier or think he/she is just trying to make extra money ask for the explanation or find a farrier that you do trust.  As farriers we don't want to look for new clients and we do not want to get under any more horses than we have to so work and communicate with us and please understand we are looking out for your horses well being the same as you are.

J-PDR

www.painteddranch.com/

Not Anti-Shoes Just Pro Barefoot

Hey all,

I wanted to give you a little glimpse into the philosophy of  PDR Professional Hoofcare... whether I’m setting full shoes, leaving the horse bare, or recomending hoof boots the horse's physiological health and bio mechanical efficiency is what matters.  Educating customers and offering option's for them and there horses situation is actually the toughest part of my job.

In my barn and on my route I provide service for a lot of highly competitive Cutting horses and I try to start them all barefoot, this gives us a place to go if we need to!  But from time to time they need some steel to keep them going down the road and at the top of the leader boards.
Do I believe all horses can go barefoot?  Yes I do but sometimes the transition time or the environment just doesn't allow the horse/owner to stay competitive and good shoeing may get that horse/owner to a few more shows.  This really opens up a big can of "whats best for the horse" and the uber "Natural Horsemanship"  followers will have a lot to say but it is what it is and it is unlikely the equine community will change that dramatically that we stop showing horses after all they are equine athletes.

I will always offer you my best service and advice and whether we are shoeing, trimming or booting it will be based on the needs of you and your horse.

J-PDR

www.painteddranch.com/

Running Bare with - PDR Professional Hoofcare

The horse’s hoof is an amazing structure. The amount of research and information available about “Natural Hoofcare” and the “Wild Horse Hoof” is tremendous, but Running Bare is about more than just a trimming method, being “Natural,” or jerking steel. It is a complete and thorough approach to hoof care which takes into account all aspects of the Horse & Owner relationship, the horses “Job/Event,” living conditions and terrain in which the horse works. The trimming method is a tool used to promote a strong, healthy hoof, growing in a physiologically and biomechanically effective shape.

My hope is to bring you along on my journey hoof to hoof.

J-PDR

www.painteddranch.com/