HOOF CARE SERVICES
If you have tried different approaches to hoof care – and you still feel unsure what is actually helping – you are not alone.
Most horses get regular hoof care, by a farrier or a hoof trimmer.
Many of these horses still develop problems.
Such as slow hoof growth, chips, cracks, thrush, separations, unbalances and lost shoes. And eventually lameness.
Not because nothing is being done – but because it is often unclear what is actually working.
What I focus on
Hoof care is not just about the hooves.
It is about the whole horse and the situation the horse lives in.
Every horse is different.
Every owner situation is different.
So every trim has to be made to measure.
That means that, before deciding what to do, I look at:
- the horse’s movement and way of going
- age, breed, history, and current condition
- how the horse is used
- the daily management and environment.
Why this matters
Hooves are often treated as if they exist separately from the horse.
They don’t.
You cannot make major changes to hoof form, for example, without affecting the whole horse.
And not every change is appropriate – especially not in the long term.
Some interventions may look good immediately and create short-term improvement…
…but lead to new and bigger problems later.
This is something many owners are not told. Or at least not clearly enough to make informed decisions.
My approach
I work with what the horse – and the owner – can realistically adapt to.
Not what looks ideal in theory.
That means:
- gradual, appropriate changes
- attention to how the horse responds over time
- avoiding “quick fixes” that create bigger problems later.
It also means that I explain what I see, so you understand the decisions being made.
What this approach means for your horse
Hoof care has to be adapted to the individual horse, and decisions should be made with the long term effects in mind.
If that is being done, then you will have:
- fewer recurring problems
- more predictable development
- a horse that is more comfortable and stays sound longer.
Hoof trims, consultations and clinics are available in English, Norwegian, Dutch and German.
Norway: In-person hoof care
I offer hoof trimming and hoof care consultations for horse owners in Norway (and also hoof care training – see ‘Hoof Classes’, below).
Appointments usually include more than just trimming.
Whenever useful, we also look at movement, hoof balance, wear patterns, living conditions and management. These factors often explain why certain hoof problems appear.
My aim is always to keep the horse comfortable now while also supporting long-term hoof health and soundness.
This can only be achieved by a careful evaluation of the horse’s needs and all the circumstances.
I work with many different types of horses — from leisure horses and ponies to international competition horses.
For horse owners whose horses currently still are using iron shoes, I can also assist in the transition towards barefoot.
If you are within reasonable traveling distance, I can come to your stable.
Hoof care sessions are also available at Raaken Farm in some situations.
Note: A first hoof trim usually takes somewhat longer, because of the need to do a thorough evaluation of the horse.
What I offer in person:
- Hoof trimming (if capacity)
- Consultations about going barefoot – or not
- Specialized medical hoof trims in cooperation with your veterinarian, for example in case of laminitis, hoof abscesses or hoof cracks
- Advice about hoof abscesses
- Hoof health assessment and advice (also for horses currently using shoes)
- Advice on management and training factors that influence hoof health
- Hoof care demonstrations or group learning sessions (see ‘Hoof Classes’, below).
Contact me to discuss availability.
In Norway and world-wide: Online consultations
Distance does not have to be a barrier to getting useful hoof advice.
By using good hoof photographs and maybe videos, it is often possible to evaluate hoof balance, wear patterns and potential areas of concern.
Online consultations work well if you:
- want a second opinion
- want help interpreting hoof photos
- want advice on hoof care options
- want guidance while working with your own horse’s hooves.
These consultations are educational in nature and are meant to help owners better understand what they are seeing.
Online consultations are advisory in nature and based on the materials provided.
They do not replace veterinary diagnosis or in-person professional assessment.
Always contact your veterinarian in cases where urgent help is needed.
What I offer online:
- Hoof photo analysis
- Hoof balance and wear pattern analysis
- General hoof health assessment and advice
- Guidance for owners who do hoof care on their own horse
- Advice about hoof abscesses
- Second opinions on hoof issues.
Online consultations are available in English, Norwegian, Dutch and German.
Norway: Hoof Classes
Hoof care is a subject many horse owners would like to understand better.
I offer small clinics and seminars that explain how hooves function, what healthy hooves look like, and how you can make sure your horse gets great hoof care.
The aim is always practical understanding, rather than just theory.
You will learn how to really look at hooves, and how to recognize early signs of imbalance or discomfort.
These events can be organized:
- at Raaken Farm
- at your stable or riding club
- for smaller or larger private groups or associations.
All clinics and seminars can be adapted to the level and wishes of the participants.
They can also include practical training.
Examples of clinics/seminars:
- Basic hoof knowledge (also very useful for horse owners who have shoes on their horses)
- Advanced hoof knowledge (including hoof imbalances)
- Transitioning to barefoot
- Basic hoof care (including simple hoof maintenance for your own horse)
- Advanced trimming seminars
- Specialized hoof trimming seminars using cadaver hooves
Clinics and seminars are available in English, Norwegian, Dutch and German.
Is this the right approach for your horse?
My hoof care work tends to suit horse owners who are interested in understanding horse health more deeply and who are willing to look at the bigger picture.
Good hoof care is rarely just about one trim or one technique.
It usually involves observation, patience, and sometimes adjustments in management.
Also, the true effects only become visible over time.
My approach can work for many different types of horses – from ‘hobby horses’ to top-class competition horses – but it requires owners who are willing to learn and observe carefully.
If you are not not sure or if you have any questions, just get in touch. Then we can figure together if this approach would work for all parties involved.
This approach may not be suitable if:
- your horse has medical issues and your veterinarian has not given the go-ahead
- you are only looking for a quick ‘cosmetic fix’
- you are not interested in learning how hooves function
- you want a single solution that ignores other factors affecting the horse and its hoof health.
Would you like to try this approach immediately?
If you would like to better understand your horse’s hooves, a simple but very useful skill is learning how to take good hoof photographs.
Clear photographs make it much easier to monitor hoof health over time and to discuss hoof care with professionals.
I have created a short guide that shows exactly how to take useful hoof pictures.
You can download it for free here:
Interested in riding and training as well?
Riding and hoof care are different areas – but they both depend on understanding the whole horse.
If you are curious about this side of things, you can download this e-book to get an understanding of my approach to riding.
It will give you 10 tips you can try out immediately.
