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Heartland Ventures
25467 473rd Ave
Baltic, SD 57003
605 - 543 - 5900

HL Hoof Club

The Founding of a Barefoot Club

  • 04-Feb-10 23:09
    Message # 280559
    Farrah Green (administrator)
    Let's use this topic to brainstorm ideas about the name, and policies of our barefoot horse club.  
  • 04-Feb-10 23:11
    Reply # 280560 on 280559
    Farrah Green (administrator)
    Farrah Green wrote:Let's use this topic to brainstorm ideas about the name, and policies of our barefoot horse club.  

    We need a secret handshake.   That is the most important topic. 
  • 01-Mar-10 18:53
    Reply # 298875 on 280559
    Farrah Green (administrator)
    Here is the website West River Gals - www.all-natural-horse-care.com - take good hoof photos.
  • 06-Mar-10 09:36
    Reply # 303720 on 280559
    Tina Secor (administrator)
    Thanks to all who attended the first ever Heart & Sole Club on Monday evening!

    The meeting convened with member introductions and a discussion regarding the benefits of coming together as a learning group. Members expressed their desire to gain knowledge and experience in the field of natural hoof care and trimming.   

    Annual membership fees were set @25.00 per family. Fees will go toward developing a centralized resource center with reference materials, books, and video on natural hoof care practices. An assortment of trimming tools and booting options will also be available for sale and check-out.

    During the meeting, Farrah Green presented an overview of natural hoof care and its role in helping to maintain a healthy and sound horse. A live horse demonstration followed, focusing on how to take good hoof photos for baseline data and follow-up reference.
    Photo guidelines are based on those recommended by the American Hoof Association.

    Thanks to Kevin and Patty for bringing "Munch" as our demo horse. Thanks to Sue for providing the wonderful refreshments!

    We look forward to welcoming additional new members to the Heart & Sole Club!
    See you next month!
    Tina

  • 12-Mar-10 17:41
    Reply # 307776 on 280559
    Tina Secor (administrator)
    Wow! Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Heartland Ventures and Heart & Sole booths during the Sioux Falls Horse Fair. We really enjoyed meeting and visiting with other horse enthusiasts! It was great to see the interest in natural hoof care and barefoot trimming. We hope to see you at our next hoof club meeting scheduled for April 5th at 6:00p.m. at Heartland Ventures. Refreshments provided!

    See you there,
    Tina

    Last modified: 23-Mar-10 17:18 | Tina Secor (administrator)
  • 03-Apr-10 11:21
    Reply # 320011 on 280559
    Hi Heart & Sole Hoof Club!
    I enjoyed listening in on "skype" last month at the hoof club meeting.  We, in Custer, would love to continue tuning in to your monthly meetings.  Unfortunately work schedules are interfering for some of the participants.  This has inspired me to
    organize our own club here in Custer!  I would still like to listen in as often I can and collaborate with the "East River Heart & Sole" group.  We will be called "West River
    Hoof Talk" club (I won't tell you the names Sue Evans and I gave to our groups!!).
    What we plan to do is meet monthly at a designated residence, have a discussion, then
    trim one of their horses and discuss. 
    Sue Towne (WRS)
    Custer



  • 12-Apr-10 10:38
    Reply # 323893 on 280559
    Tina Secor (administrator)
    Thanks to everyone who attended the Heart & Sole meeting this month! We had a great turnout with folks from Brandon, Sioux Falls, Mitchell, and Minnesota.

    Lead by Farrah Green, the main topic focused on the wild horse hoof as the model for natural barefoot trimming and differences between the barefoot trim and the traditional pasture trim were highlighted. Other aspects of natural hoof care (housing, nutrition, riding, booting) were also discussed. The varied background and experience levels within the group allowed for a very interesting and informative discussion.

    Following the discussion, we headed to the arena to trim horses! Farrah demonstrated the steps involved in photographing, evaluating, and conducting the natural barefoot trim. Sue's horse, WildCat, served as our patient demo horse. Wildcat required a "maintenance" trim since Sue has been trimming her on a frequent, regular basis.
     
    Pam and Scott's gelding served as our second demo horse. This horse required a more extensive initial trim to address the overgrown hoof wall, laid over bars, and flares. Despite some rear leg stiffness and muscle discomfort, this gelding did a great job of standing quietly throughout the trim. Afterwards, not only did his hooves look great but his stride looked more fluid and relaxed! Also, thanks to Roy, Deb, and Lexi for bringing their two horses for us to look at!

    It was great to meet everyone and share our common interest in natural hoof care and barefoot trimming. We look forward to seeing everyone again at our next meeting on Monday, May 3rd, 6:00-8:00p.m.

    For our evening meetings, we'll try to stay within our time schedule and focus on one demo horse per club meeting. Please register on the web site to bring your horse to our next meeting! Please note: Private lessons/trimming sessions can be arranged through Farrah at Heartland Ventures.

    Recommended Reading:

    Pete Ramey, Making Natural Hoof Care Work For You   
    Jaime Jackson, Horse Owners Guide To Natural Hoof Care
    Available at Barnes and Noble, www.star-ridge.com

    K.C. La Pierrre, The Chosen Road


    Thanks for joining us and hope to see you soon!
    Tina

  • 04-May-10 19:42
    Reply # 335806 on 280559
    Tina Secor (administrator)
    Once again, thanks to everyone who joined us on Monday for our Heart & Sole meeting!

    Our main topic of discussion focused on the symptoms, causes, and treatments of equine thrush. Thrush can be a painful condition and in severe cases can negatively impact the external and internal structures of the hoof. Fortunately, effective antibacterial and anti- fungal treatments, good husbandry practices, and natural hoof care are the answer.

    After our discussion, Fran let us take a look at Crest's hooves which showed a central sulcus infection. Next, Farrah went through the steps of a natural barefoot trim using Laura's horse Derby. While watching Derby move on a circle, we observed a shortened stride in his right rear leg with possible stifle involvement. Although Derby was due for a trim, the overall health and shape of his hooves was good. Hopefully, a good balanced trim will help to improve his gait and comfort level. With Farrah's oversight, Laura jumped right in and got some practice using the tools and trimming!

    See you next month, June 7th!

    Tina     
    Last modified: 04-May-10 19:45 | Tina Secor (administrator)
  • 04-Aug-10 12:10
    Reply # 396356 on 280559
    Tina Secor (administrator)
    We enjoyed seeing everyone at the meeting...thanks for attending and participating!

    Farrah gave an overview of the various organizations that offer certification programs in the field of natural hoof care and barefoot trimming. Farrah, along with Brice, are planning to travel to Illinois this September to attend a K.C. La Pierre hoof clinic. This is really exciting news since we'll all benefit from their experience!

    Although Brice completed a traditional farrier school, he is interested in further developing his knowledge and skills in the area of natural hoof care. Currently, there are no certified natural hoof care practitioners in the state of South Dakota.

    Our hands-on trimming session was super busy and interesting.
    While Brice was conducting a maintenance trim on my horse, Farrah used Spellcaster to demonstrate how the bars can become extremely overgrown, laid over, and interfere with the proper weight bearing surfaces of the hoof.
    Guided by Farrah and Brice, Bri trimmed her horse Rosie, and Della jumped right in and got some experience trimming Shasta's rear hooves. Shasta's hooves grow quickly which allowed for lots of practice with the nippers - nice job Della!

    Once again, thanks to everyone who participated in the discussion and trimming sessions.  Great to have a veterinarian, Dr. Teresa Roster, join us as a new member! 

    Please note:

    If you are a Heart and Sole Club member and have experience trimming, feel free to trim  your horse during the monthly meetings to receive some oversight and input from Farrah, Brice, and other hoof club members. 

    See you next month on September 7th,
    Tina
 
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