Progressive Hoof Care Darrell Covert, CHCP - PF Certified Hoof Care Professional Professional Farrier
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As a farrier and hoof care provider it is my focus to provide horse owners with the correct hoof care
option for their horses. There is rarely a one size fits all solution to hoof care practices; therefore, I
advocate any hoof care option as needed. I will work with you and your horses to develop a hoof care
system that is right for you and your horse. This includes:
Advantages of Natural Hoof Care:
Natural hoof care is simply a part of the holistic approach to horse care, involving proper diet, life-way and environment. It is this life-way thats
responsible for the idealistic development and function of wild horses hooves; moreover, the wild horse does not suffer from pathological issues caused
by poor horse-keeping practices,such as poor hoof care, husbandry and inappropriate diets.
The Natural Hoof Care Practitioner trims to emulate the natural wear that the hooves would get if moving over varied terrain, this allows the inner
structures of the hoof to be stimulated and allows the hooves grow and function in a healthy way.
Advantages of Shoeing Horses:
There are various reasons why horse owners will choose a shoeing option, here are some of the most common.
Depending on a horses circumstances a properly applied shoe package is not only beneficial, but may be your only option! However, if you are going to
shoe your horse insure your reasons are sound and try to resist prolong shoeing practices. Periodically, give your horses hooves time off from shoeing.
Life-way and Environment are Crucial to the Quality of Hoof Care:
negative way. Many owners provide feed that is too high in (NSC) non-structural carbs that result in weakening the lamina causing laminitis and founder.
Laminitis in most cases is the result of toxicity and too many horses are over grazing on pastures and/or provided feed that is too rich in NSC, all of
which are foreign to the wild horse. Free choice grass hay with a varied mix of grasses is the best source of feed. Horses are conditioned to eating small
amounts all day long. If you cannot provide free choice then feed in many small piles over a large area, the longer it takes your horse to eat the better!
Nutrient poor feed can be a problem, so always provide a salt and mineral block. The articles and resources found in www.safergrass.org will help horse
owners everywhere learn to avoid these founder traps caused by inappropriate diets.
region of the hoof. Encouraging our horses to move during turnout can be challenging. Try to incorporate natural behaviour with boarding, by utilizing
varied terrain and redesigning your paddock to the outer perimeter of your pasture. To provide a varied terrain and footing, the horses turnout area should
have very diverse footing from dry hard pack, pea gravel and wet areas to help keep hooves conditioned and the moisture content stable.
health and the condition of his hooves. Reducing or managing stress levels for your horse is therefore a critical component in natural horse / hoof care.
Lack of socialization can be the single most stressful issue for your horse. As herd animals horses rely on each other for safety and mental well being.
Isolation is cruel for a horse.
option for their horses. There is rarely a one size fits all solution to hoof care practices; therefore, I
advocate any hoof care option as needed. I will work with you and your horses to develop a hoof care
system that is right for you and your horse. This includes:
- Natural hoof care
- Fitting and modifying hoof boots
- Traditional farriery
- Hot fitting and shoeing
- Corrective and therapeutic shoeing
Advantages of Natural Hoof Care:
- Allows the horse's hoof to do what nature designed it to do.
- Natural trimming complies with the physiology of the hoof.
- Natural hooves promote proper biomechanics for impact and blood circulation.
- Helps prevent some pathological conditions, that can occur from prolonged neglect.
- Provides horse owners with a less-invasive option for hoof protection, when using hoof boots.
Natural hoof care is simply a part of the holistic approach to horse care, involving proper diet, life-way and environment. It is this life-way thats
responsible for the idealistic development and function of wild horses hooves; moreover, the wild horse does not suffer from pathological issues caused
by poor horse-keeping practices,such as poor hoof care, husbandry and inappropriate diets.
The Natural Hoof Care Practitioner trims to emulate the natural wear that the hooves would get if moving over varied terrain, this allows the inner
structures of the hoof to be stimulated and allows the hooves grow and function in a healthy way.
Advantages of Shoeing Horses:
There are various reasons why horse owners will choose a shoeing option, here are some of the most common.
- Genetic inheritance involving poor hooves, require shoes when NHC and boots are not an option.
- To protect a very thin soled horse 24/7 until adequate sole depth is achieved.
- Provides traction / way of going for horses involved in venues requiring high levels of athleticism.
- Alter or correct conformation, interference or correction of gait.
- Used as an RX option for a variety of pathological issues that require therapeutic shoes.
Depending on a horses circumstances a properly applied shoe package is not only beneficial, but may be your only option! However, if you are going to
shoe your horse insure your reasons are sound and try to resist prolong shoeing practices. Periodically, give your horses hooves time off from shoeing.
Life-way and Environment are Crucial to the Quality of Hoof Care:
- Diet / Feeding
negative way. Many owners provide feed that is too high in (NSC) non-structural carbs that result in weakening the lamina causing laminitis and founder.
Laminitis in most cases is the result of toxicity and too many horses are over grazing on pastures and/or provided feed that is too rich in NSC, all of
which are foreign to the wild horse. Free choice grass hay with a varied mix of grasses is the best source of feed. Horses are conditioned to eating small
amounts all day long. If you cannot provide free choice then feed in many small piles over a large area, the longer it takes your horse to eat the better!
Nutrient poor feed can be a problem, so always provide a salt and mineral block. The articles and resources found in www.safergrass.org will help horse
owners everywhere learn to avoid these founder traps caused by inappropriate diets.
- Movement / Terrain
region of the hoof. Encouraging our horses to move during turnout can be challenging. Try to incorporate natural behaviour with boarding, by utilizing
varied terrain and redesigning your paddock to the outer perimeter of your pasture. To provide a varied terrain and footing, the horses turnout area should
have very diverse footing from dry hard pack, pea gravel and wet areas to help keep hooves conditioned and the moisture content stable.
- Socialization
health and the condition of his hooves. Reducing or managing stress levels for your horse is therefore a critical component in natural horse / hoof care.
Lack of socialization can be the single most stressful issue for your horse. As herd animals horses rely on each other for safety and mental well being.
Isolation is cruel for a horse.
Natural hoof care, does not always mean unprotected.
We have found that Easyboots and Delta boots provide excellent
protection without impeding the natural function of the hoof. Find
out more at www.easyboot.com.
We have found that Easyboots and Delta boots provide excellent
protection without impeding the natural function of the hoof. Find
out more at www.easyboot.com.
Email: dcovert@progressivehoof.com .
Phone: (208) 238-6365
Cell: (208) 406-8613
Phone: (208) 238-6365
Cell: (208) 406-8613
The Progressive Hoof
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Toe or quarter clips
Are sometimes required to reduce the shear forces on
nails to help weak hooves. A farrier can also use less nails.
Here I am fitting an arab with a front toe clip.
Are sometimes required to reduce the shear forces on
nails to help weak hooves. A farrier can also use less nails.
Here I am fitting an arab with a front toe clip.
Phone: (208) 238-6365
Cell: (208) 406-8613
Email: dcovert@Progressivehoof.com
Cell: (208) 406-8613
Email: dcovert@Progressivehoof.com