Trimming Information

What is my style of trimming? Which trim style do I follow? These are the two questions I'm usually asked by potential customers. They want to know if I'm a Jamie Jackson, Pete Ramey or Strasser trimmer. I am none of those, I have never apprenticed with any of them, although I've read everything they've put out to the public. Marjorie Smith helped me pull Finnegan's shoes I owe her a big thank you for starting me on this journey.  I appreciate what Jamie Jackson first brought to the horses, his first few books are a good resource for your library. I love Pete and like what he does too, we have the same common goals in mind. Pay attention to the whole horse, and a non invasive trim. Pete's clinics were a must see and now his DVD series, Under the Hoof is available, please buy it. It is money well spent, even if you've been to his clinic.

But my teacher was and still is Paige Poss. I apprenticed with Paige and then she sent me my first clients. My other teachers were the horses themselves. I took what Paige taught me, what I've learned from studying all of the available information that is out there and added my own style and flair.  My trim is my own but if asked I will say I'm a Paige Poss style trimmer.  I trim almost exclusively from the top these days. If you want a more detailed explanation of this please go here. 

I have made mistakes along the way and I'm sure I will in the future. I believe in doing no harm but that doesn't mean I haven't caused a horse to be sore.  The key is to not keep repeating the same mistakes over and over.  To me this what contributes to making a good trimmer. 

Keeping a horse sound and Barefoot is not just about a non-invasive trim. It's about diet, terrain, movement, awareness of the body, saddle fit and things we don't even recognize yet. I believe that a good trim is not about an exact recipe. It's about recognizing what the horse needs at the moment his foot is in your hand. We need to be able to recognize what state the internal structures of the foot are in and then apply a trim that allows comfortable movement and work towards a heel first landing. 

I pull shoes frequently and for the most part I insist that the owners purchase boots.  Boots and pads allow the horse to be ridden immediately upon pulling the shoes.  Boots and pads also help me to keep the foundered horse comfortable.  Boots and pads help the navicular horse move out and be ridden as well.  I keep a full stock of boots in my truck at all times.  Boots allow these horses to get the critical, healing movement that they need which in turn gets their feet feeling better much faster.  Currently I recommend the Easycare products as well as Lander Industries Renegades

Paige and I have found that horses with feet issues go sound within 3 trims of having their shoes pulled.  If after 3 trims the horse is still unsound than the issue is elsewhere.  This relates back to what I said earlier that soundness is about more than just the non-invasive trim.  Of course I'm not talking about severe pathologies but even those that don't have other issues come up sound within 6 - 7 months.

My trimming area covers Long Island, Westchester, Orange and Ulster counties of NY and Northern NJ.  I also am available for private clinics at the farm in NY or will travel to your area.  I do some phone and email consultations, please contact me for further info. 

Kim Cassidy