Summer clinics in BC - Part 2
Another 3 clinics under our belt and more gorgeous scenery in British Columbia.
Yes, the Hoof Geeks get around!
Lots of photos here so best enjoyed with a wifi connection and ideally on a larger screen so you can take it all in.
Clinic #4 Campbell River, BC 2023
Another amazing Island clinic! As we drove down the familiar road we passed the location of our first clinic we had on the Island 4 years ago.
“You guys teach so much more than hoof trimming! We thought we were just going to learn how to trim feet!”
We always love to hear this! We also love to see new students with their keen eyes when they start learning about total horse health!
The feet are just a representation of the overall heath is the horse.
No (know) Hoof - No (know) Horse!
We had so many eye opening moments this clinic ! Students were shocked to see just how easy reading a hoof for soundness and health can be if you know what to look for!
“Why were we not told this before?” Many asked….
The reason is this is not taught in many conventional circles. And what we teach is based in Science and the current research from some of the best equine podiatrists in North America. Hoof Geeks are always searching for what they do not know about the horse, always looking on how to improve. Never Ever Stop Learning!
Campbell River students are now armed with tools and information on how to help their horses recover from long time problems and others armed with an understanding of how to keep hooves from degenerating over time. And yes - all that information comes mostly from paying attention to what is going on above the hairline of the hoof! 😉
Pick your horse professionals wisely - if you call someone to “vet” your horse then please “vet” them first! Do your research and make sure what they tell you rings true with the plethora of knowledge you now have.
Thank you so much to our host, Emma Bensen for inviting us to her farm! Once again, Island Residents were hungry for knowledge and answers as to how to help their horses.
OUR MENTOR BARB
Barb Fenwick (Vince) was the woman who introduced us to our very first one day hoof trimming clinic. I was having problems with “Bud” my stallion’s hooves who had severe ring bone and Francine’s mare Brandy had severe laminitis and was IR (insulin resistant).
No one told us there was a problem! Francine’s hoof care practitioners were not helping and mine moved to Saskatchewan.
After Barb’s clinic we were wanting more information and to learn how to do this ourselves as that is what she had done. So she helped us organize a James Weltz clinic ( HoofHelpOnline ).
That is how our journey began! Without Barb there would be no Hoof Geeks!
Don’t you love full circle moments?
Clinic #5 Pemberton BC 2023
Once Upon a Time there was a Teeny Tiny Hoof Geeks Clinic in Pemberton BC!
Offloaded from the Ferry at Horseshoe Bay the Geeks wind their rig north towards Pemberton - passing through Whistler. What a beautiful drive. Upon arriving we found challenges that we had not expected - a lack of a venue where we could gather comfortably.
Stacey Rogansky, our host, turned on her incredible event organization skills and found us a wonderful private farm owned by a lady named Barb (thank you so much for coming to our rescue!). We were set up for the three days of lecture and trim practice in just a few hours! Whew!
During day 2 and 3 trim practice students were shocked to see so many horses hooves infected with thrush! They were able to really get a grasp of what a common condition many horses have. Awareness once again - is key! A little thrush will eat away silently at the frog and soft cartilage SLOWLY until one day it is “noticed” to be a problem. At this point it is usually deep inside the hoof invading live digital cushion. Often a Navicular Diagnosis is said to be the cause of caudal heel pain, where in truth it is thrush. If thrush is not treated and cured it WILL eventually lead to Navicular changes!
Students were also introduced to the subtleties of laminitis and the three stages: Sub Clinical, Acute, and Chronic.
Laminitis is not a hoof problem; however, it definitely causes problems in the hoof capsule. But, it starts in the body first.
Once again, awareness is key. Watch your horse carefully, know the triggers and signs of stress, and seek professionals who are specialists in the field. This is what the Hoof Geeks are known for: bringing groups of equine specialists in the soundness industry together to make horses' lives better. Empowering the owners and showing them how they can change, prevent, and heal their horses' health and hooves.
Every horse should be given the chance to have a bare foot lifestyle, but what does this lifestyle look like? Once awareness of what is needed to help our horses, next comes the decision to change what needs to be changed to give the Horse their best chance to heal and Live their Best Life!
Watching Hoof Geek Students transform into Horse Health Advocate Angels is always such a joy!
Thanks to all the students out there who are able and willing to change and share their knowledge!
💕 Hope to see you all again!
Clinic #6 - Heffley Creek, BC 2023
When Francine and I drove up to the gates of Tod Mountain Thoroughbreds and saw the bales of freshly made hay on rolling hills with huge paddocks and large isle-ways between each paddock we just sat there in awe!
The attention to detail was amazing! Water bowls in every paddock - gates in and out of each paddock connecting all together through the isle-ways.
A horse sanctuary beyond anyone’s imagination. Oh what heaven on earth for horses and people!
This farm’s future is up in the air as it is for sale. There are ideas of a rebab and education centre- which would be a one of a kind in Western Canada!
Many horse experts can heal horses from injury - but how do we heal their hearts and minds? How do we make them believe in humans again? How can we show them that there is a heaven on earth and restore their faith in humans? These are the BIG QUESTIONS we are asking these days.
We were able to work with some of the retired horses to get their feet more balanced. These gentle giants were so happy and calm and willing to accommodate our students. We’re grateful to the wise old ones.
The coolest thing about this place is when something is suggested for the betterment of the horse - it be accommodated. Freedom of movement is easily provided because of the amount of acreage they have. We have asked the universe to see it forward into a wonderful rehab where horses can rebuild mentally, emotionally, and physically.
As Dr Bowker and Dr Tomas Teskey have said millions of times… Horses Heal Through Movement!
Let the Healing Begin - at TMT. Hope it all works out as they have planned.
The clinic was tiny but awesome and when I taught this time - I just had to turn around - look out into the vastness of the 100 acre farm and say - (I dream of…)
“A field like that!”
“A track like that”
“A surface like that”
“A pen like that”
“Hay like that”
🙄😊🤣 it was all right there - for the horses’ healing.
Once again our students were able to take a plethora of information back home with them with a healing plan in their heads. Communities build confidence and strengthen friendships and together heal more Horses.
That is the HOOF GEEKS GOAL and why we do what we do.
Big thanks to the owners of TMT and to Lisa who hosted us at this spectacular facility. What an opportunity to see what a well planned out equestrian facility looks like!
