Arizona Hoof Rehab

About Patty Pritchett and the Wild Horse Trim

"I developed this site to share the research, training, and experience I have to help others who want to join the "Barefoot care" rage that is sweeping the country. With the invention of the rubber hoof boot "sneakers" it is no longer necessary or preferred to nail steel to the bottom of your equines foot. Comfort rules! When your horse feels better he performs better, just like us!" 

Patty Pritchett began her life with horses in her early teens back in the 70's. She entered and won speed events such as barrel racing, key-hole, and pole bending. After graduating from nursing school, she moved to the west and left horses behind, but returned nearly a decade later. She began a rehab program on her farm in Virginia utilizing her nursing skills to help horses. In 1996, after years of watching farriers, she completed a Farrier certification program began shoeing and trimming her own horses as well as the rescue horses. Over the years, Patty has purchased well over 200 horses from auction as well as private parties to rehab and bring back to good health. In the year 2000 Patty became ill and could no longer slam a hammer to nail on shoes. That is when researching barefoot care began.

"When I discovered barefoot care it was like being reborn. I was so excited! I read all I could find and took the time to research the researchers because I had to know if this was truly the best way to go for rehabbing horses, and even for regular trail riding or show horses. I discovered horses do not need shoes at all if they are given the right food and the right environment to live in. This was a bran new concept to me and it made so much sense!"

In 2003 Patty sold her farm in Virginia, moved to Gilbert Arizona and returned to school. She completed her Bachelor Degree in Behavior Science with concentrations on both human and equine behavior. The studies went into all causes of behavior such as nutrition, environmental influences and more. She is now in Grad school and intends to return to rehabbing horses from auction to help children and adults through equine assisted psychotherapy.  Patty is currently certified as an Equine Specialist with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association.

  See EAGALA.org for more info on Equine assisted growth and learning. 

"While attending grad school and beyond I intend to continue teaching others how to do the wild horse trim. The phrase "no feet, no horse" is so true and yet many people keep steel shoes on year around, even though all farrier training programs advise against it. Removing the shoes for just a couple months each year will go a long way in keeping your horse happy and healthy for years to come.  And going bare all year would be the ideal for any horse who can be given the food and environment it needs to grow strong and healthy wild horse hooves."

 Patricia Lee Pritchett

Remember this when people make fun of you or your barefoot horse... 

"All truth passes through three phases. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third, it is accepted as being self-evident."  Arthur Schopenhauer

 (You may have to copy and past link to your browser) 

Dr. Tomas G. Teskey, D.V.M.

http://easycareinc.typepad.com/ask_the_vet_tomas_teskey/ 

http://achevalpiedsnus.free.fr/telechargements/teskey_navicular.pdf

Professor of Anatomy College of Veterinary Medicine
Michigan State University

Equine Foot Laboratory 

Kathryn Watts

Safergrass.org

The most knowlegable person I have found when it comes to up to date information on Forage.

Dr. Chris Pollit, BVSc, PhD

Anatomy of the inside wall 

http://www.horseshoes.com/advice/anatomyandfunction/

anatomyofinnerhoofwall/anatomyofinnerhoofwall.htmwall.htm 

 Pete Ramey, AANHCP, AHA

http://www.hoofrehab.com

 http://www.barefoothorse.com

Gene Ovnicek, Natural Balance Hoofcare
http://www.hopeforsoundness.com

Martha Olivo, United Horsemanship

http://www.marthaolivo.com

K.C. La Pierre, Institute of Equine Podiatry 

http://www.equinepodiatry.net

Jaime Jackson, AANHCP
 http://www.primechoice.com/jaime-jackson

 Gretchen Fathauer, The natural horse trim

http://www.naturalhorsetrim.com

Equine Holistic Health - Natural Holistic Horse Care and Nutrition 

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/horse.htm

Resources for horse owners

http://www.star-ridge.com/

Various Articles at the EasyCareInc site

https://www.easycareinc.com/education/whybarefoot.aspx

Video on Equine Assisted Mental Health

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8266572060009951778 

Hoof Boots

I mostly use Easyboots. They seem to have a boot for every occasion. 

 https://www.easycareinc.com

I have also used these for short rides 

http://www.cavallo-inc.com/horseboots.html 

 Other Boots I have not tried but might some day...if you have tried any of these please let me know how you liked em!

http://www.renegadehoofboots.com/

http://www.hoofwings.com/horsesneakers.htm 

http://www.hoofwings.com/hoofwings.htm

 http://www.equestrianselect.co.uk/marquis_supergrip.htm

http://www.soft-ride.com/

http://www.sabresneaker.com/

http://www.doversaddlery.com/equine-slipper/p/X1-04204/cn/1647/

Dare to go Bare!

Be brave! People who still use shoes will talk about you, and might even laugh at you. But as you continue to show that your horse is healthy and happy, they will begin to see that you are not hurting your horse. And you will know, because you have done your research, that you are doing what is best for your horse. Hang in there! It will be so worth it! I promise!   

Patty Pritchett

Testimonials  

I just wanted to say thank you again for the great information and hands on practice with the barefoot trimming. Everything was such a wealth of information, you were great.  It is really exciting to get started on making stone crunching hooves!  ... Oh, and when is the next class going to be, I would like to attend another one.
 
Thank you again,
DeAnn 

Patty, you did an awesome job!!! ....I would HIGHLY recommend this clinic.....THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ...

Carol

I just wanted to say THANK YOU sooo much for the class yesterday! I had a Great day and Gene and I learned soooo much from you. The only problem--it went by too dang fast! I want to go again and cant wait for the next one. I'm excited about going to buy my new rasp and start practicing on Moses!

"I didnt think my horse could go bare. His walls were so flaky and weak. They were always falling apart. But I tried it, reluctantly, and within 6 months I was able to ride him without boots! I couldnt believe it! This mustang trim really works! With the help of rubber boots in the beginning he was not lame at all. I rode him right after the first trim! Now, his heels are starting to widen and are less and less contracted every month! I will never go back to steel shoes! Thank you!"

Nancy 

"I want to thank you again for coming out and helping me understand better what I need to do and keep doing.... Thank you for the information and links to take our knowledge even further.  Here are the pictures from today.  I'll keep you posted with all of their trimming."
Josian

"Patty..that was absolutely fantastic yesterday..Bear the 40 yr old guy trotted quickly to get his food this am..a first in i don't know how long..Jae is trotting around with his hoof boot on..Sedona (or Moose as the kids call him) the big dun was experimenting standing on different angles..different hills..he was grazing with his butt uphill and his head down hill...have not seen him do that..Cheyenne the black/white paint..the first horse is very proud of his feet..really really enjoyed it..you are an excellent teacher..thank you for coming out and am looking forward to next time..thanks again." anne