June 4, 2008

EasyCare Dealer of the Month

High Desert Hoof Care has been named EasyCare Dealer of the Month!

“EasyCare would like to spotlight June dealer of the month, High Desert Hoof Care, owned and operated by Leslie Carrig out of Gardnerville, NV. Leslie started her journey about four years ago when she decided to keep one of her horses barefoot. She recalls the horse having pretty good feet and a friend telling her how she rode her horse in boots. She ordered some Old Mac’s and loved riding in them. Her mom then sent her an article by Pete Ramey and she was intrigued and so read Pete’s book and then Jamie Jackson’s. “That was it for me. It all made too much sense,” says Leslie. She knew that her other horse with the not so great feet was really the one needing to be barefoot, so Leslie learned to trim her own horses. But in time eight hooves weren’t enough for her and she had to see and learn more resulting in her becoming a professional trimmer.

Leslie officially has been in business a year and a half, working mostly in the Carson Valley area where she works with about 75 head regularly. She also teaches owners to trim themselves and fits boots for non-clients.

Leslie is a member of the Pacific Hoof Care Practitioners which is a group of professional trimmers who want to share information in a supportive setting and continue their education indefinitely. Leslie says the group saw the need for more training programs in the barefoot community and that demand is growing fast. This program is flexible to accommodate the professional trimmer, who would like a support group with continuing education. The organization also offers a comprehensive training program for anyone wanting to trim their own horses or start a new career. They follow Pete Ramey’s style of trimming and look at the whole horse and welcome anyone interested in learning more.

When it comes to boots and pads, Leslie says they are critical to her success as a trimmer. She adds that most of our domestic horses have underdeveloped hooves and must undergo a transition period, at the very least. Many will always be ridden in boots. I encourage all my clients to use hoof boots and pads. She finds that when clients think the horse is OK without boots, but then tries boots, they see how much better they really do move. A correct heel first landing movement that boots and pads allow for, take the hoof to its healthiest form. Leslie looks at riding time as healing time, so the horse needs to be moving optimally to truly utilize it. If the horse is ouchy, the horse will compensate.

As a professional, Leslie knows it is paramount to have what you need when you need it. She has found the Fill Your Truck program perfect for doing just that. Leslie says she spent her first year ordering something every week and worrying about running out. With the Fill Your Truck program, she was able to round out her inventory and keep in stock those Epic #1s and #2s!

Leslie imparts these words of wisdom to other trimmers:

“Be honest and caring. You won’t always have all the answers, but if you are open and honest about it you will learn from every horse and every owner. You both want the same thing, a sound and healthy horse. Having outside support makes your job much easier. Even if it’s just another trimmer you can bounce questions off of. The day you stop questioning, you’ve stopped learning.”