Meet a 21st Century Farrier

   I attended California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a minor in Equine Science in 2006.  My studies included equine exercise physiology, equine nutrition, numerous dissections of the lower limb, reading x-rays, collecting stallions, palpation of mares and participating in embryo flushes. I also studied the primary principles of lameness evaluation.

        My skills in lameness assessment were honed while rescuing and rehabilitating race horses. I have cared for rescued horses through multiple problems, including injuries to superficial flexor tendons,  bilateral upward fixation of the patella, tarsal-inter tarsal joint arthritis,  bone spurs, weight loss, and laryngeal hemiplegia. My rescues have all had successful second careers as performance horses in the felids of Dressage and Jumping.  I have a Natural Horsemanship background and use only non violent horse training methods.

        I began to turn my attention to hoof care, specializing in the study of the distal limb and hoof capsule. Based on the the old saying “no foot no horse” I realized I could impact the total health of the horse with proper hoof care. My life changed forever when I met and apprenticed under Linda Cowles, founding memeber of the American Hoof Association and expert trimmer. My apprenticeship with Linda  solidified my feeling that so much of the horse could be improved by proper care of the hoof.

       Modern research is changing the way people treat horse's hooves.  Many horses are  being released from the tradition of metal shoeing. Removing metal from the bottom of the foot reduces concussion, joint damage, wall separation, and improves circulation, hoof health, and movement.  We have modern methods of protection for horses that need it. As a 21st century farrier I understand how to trim an orthopedic and protective component into the hoof capsule itself.

    Horse hooves have evolved for thousands of years. Hooves are some of the most amazing and dynamic structures on the equine body.  If we address diet, exercise, apply the right protection, and don’t routinely cut away at the hoof’s vital structures then a healthy hoof is all our horses require for exceptional performance.

Ann Ramsey B.S. Animal Science- 2011