A New Approach

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New technology and materials for are now becoming more prevalent in the world of hoof care. Melanie does not use metal shoes, but instead uses glue on shoes, fiberglass casting material, and equine boots with pads. An approach that holds strong to the belief in the benefits that softer materials not only provide support and comfort during the rehab process, but allow the hoof to expand naturally, unlike metal shoes. All shoeing provided is GLUE ON. Rubber shoes have shown to provide a far greater grip and protection for the hoof with a lightness in weight that is  will become the new normal for all equine sports.

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The goal at all times being to ensure that any horse, donkey, or mule, is comfortable. Melanie will NEVER leave an animal during treatment without hoof protection. Whether the best approach for the equine requires boots, casts, or glue on shoes, the most appropriate selection will be made.  It's not a "barefoot trim", it's a rehabilitation practice using the latest and best techniques. 

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     Diet and nutrition is as important as proper hoof care.  Most hoof issues arise from inside the body when the cell is created. An imbalance in mineral intake will cause deficiencies, and the cells to become weak on the cellular level. This leads to a whole body problem, and is most commonly noticed first in the hooves.  We commonly see weak, brittle, "shelly" walls, wall separation (when infected this is often called "seedy toe" or "white line disease"), soft thin soles, slow growing hooves, thrush in the frogs that never seems to heal, and other whole body issues (sweet itch, scratches, rain rot).  Melanie has taken Dr. Kellon's NRC Plus Nutrition Course, and works closely with the ECIR (Equine Cushings and Insulin Resistance) Group, following their diet recommendations for metabolic horses.  Hoof care starts at the mouth, and ends in the hoof.