Success :)

I finally did it.  After half a year or so of musing, considering, hesitancy, study and doubt... I finally chose to trim Lady's hooves.  And in two days I managed to get both of her front feet done... a major success for both of us!  Yesterday was nearly a disaster, I was tired and got frustrated several times, which meant I had to step back and reevaluate to figure out what I could do differently.  And so, today's work went ten times better.  :)  I only got frustrated once... but for the majority of the time I kept my cool and worked calmly.  I was also better at pacing myself today and I think Lady appreciated it too!  I did little bits at a time... clipped a piece of hoof off, then I sat down to rest while she got to stand on 4 feet... then back at it for a few minutes.  Sure, it took longer, but everything went smoother and everything will be better in the long run. :)

Of course... her hooves do NOT look particularly pretty... far from it... all the nipping I did was uneven and didn't match up well, so there are quite a few jagged edges that for all the rasping I did I could not smooth out.
I'm sure there are a thousand things I could have done better... but I am quite proud of this first attempt and plan whole-heartedly to continue it.  :)  Hopefully Lady will be happy with it in the long run too and we can eventually move to trimming her hind feet too :)

Off to read on Pete Ramey's website... ;)
Savvy on!
-Kit Marie & Lady Hwin

I'm Still Here!

I haven't written anything in a long while, but I wanted to post a quick update on how Lady and I are doing.  I was on vacation from August 8-16, so during that time I had a very wonderful caretaker to watch out for my baby girl, making it possible for me too travel without too much concern and return home to a happy, healthy and sane horse! :)
I have had one and a half play sessions with Lady since getting back, one full-scale play and several little things done around feeding time.  I am very satisfied with how she is looking and moving, but I am still seeing a few behaviour issues that I think we will work with over the rest of the week (and further if necessary) :)
Today I took the plung... got out my tools and dug into Lady's foot... literally!   of course, this being my first attempt, I didn't even manage to finish trimming ONE hoof!  but it was a start, and I will head out again tomorrow...
Digging really is the right word for at least part of what I did... I dug through layers of sole and dirt.  I pulled out old fungus and new fungus and 2-3 weeks worth of dead sole until I had a much cleaner foot!
Because of how long Lady's feet have grown already, I chose to clip them down and the rain we had over the weekend made the timing perfect!  Her foot was soft enough that even I could clip through it!!  It took me a while, yes, but I did it.
Naturally.... it looks rather messy now... but I am quite pleased at my effort and my horse's cooperation :)  As an added bonus... it was the right foot that I did... and I am SO clumsy on that side because of having to use mainly my left hand... so that makes me even more proud! :D

Pressing On,
-Kit Marie & Lady Hwin