Johnson Hoof Care

Horseshoers, frankly, do not know how to put a physiologically correct trim on a horse to allow the animal to "go without shoes"...as if horses were born missing iron on their feet...traditional farriery invariably trims a barefoot horse as if the foot were being prepared to receive a shoe, i.e. flat and with excessive removal of critical sole, bar, and frog tissue. My trim preserves what the horse needs and removes what he doesn't. Also, and this is biggest difference, a good barefoot trimmer envisions how what he does to the foot today will positively influence future growth of the interior structures to create a better hoof mechanism over the next trim cycle...as opposed to trying to "fix" problems that are visible but which are the result of improper hoof care in the past. It's all about growing a new hoof, which the horse is going to do one way or another - our choice is how he gets to do it. Horses!! They are miraculous creatures, and my ability to have meaningful communication and a tactful and respectful partnership with them is what gets me out of bed in the morning. (Living with six dogs also gets me out of bed in the morning, but that's another story!) I meet so many intelligent and willing-to-learn horse owners, who love their horses like their children, and most all of them quickly become friends as well as clients. We are all partners in promoting the well-being and usefulness of the horses in our care. Mostly I get a satisfaction that is unmatched in any other line of work in seeing our (the owner's and my own) efforts making positive changes for the better in the lives of these magnificent animals, horses and dogs both.