What others do and why they do it

Before we get on a soap box and tell the world about the benefits of barefoot trimming and a natural lifestyle, let's consider a few things.

There is a huge equine industry surrounding us. Every single part of that industry has something to do with the horse. Usually every single part of that industry arrived at what they are doing through careful contemplation, studies and experience.

We are but a small fraction of the whole picture,  in fact much smaller as for example the farrier business. Most farriers do what they do because they believe in the validity of their work. And they have a paradigm in which they search for the right answers. You can do a search on the Internet for "Farriery" and you will be surprised how much you will find.

Most all have their well researched reasons for how they approach to help a horse. There is nothing gained by alienating anyone out there. Something can be learned from everyone. The farrier you have befriended instead of alienated may be able to show you how to sharpen your hoof knife better. He may be able to help you with your stance under the horse, he may give you some insight into his experiences and they may be valuable. What kind of rasp does he use? How does he get a shoe off? Sometimes just watching a good farrier for a while may give you some helpful hints. Who knows, in the end he may refer a horse to you.

The same holds true for veterinarians. The more you can befriend them, the more you can gain. Lecturing, antagonizing, berating a veterinarian makes unnecessary enemies where goodwill is much more important.

When you are invited to trim at a new barn, work with the situation on hand. Take some time to educate, preferably with pictures, reading material, any visuals you can think of. The horses are stalled? Talk to the owner. Tell them about the psychology of the horse, the function of the hoof. What happens when horses don't move continually. If absolutely nothing can be changed, you may have to leave without trimming. But if you can leave on a good note, offer your return when circumstances change, your services may be considered in the future. At the very least no one can say anything bad about you and they have to leave your professional image in tact.

We often get asked how our trim compares to the trim of others. Unless you are very familiar with the "other" trim, it is better to say something like: " I don't know, I have not had a chance to study their trim". And then you can continue what your trim is based on (anatomy, physiology, circulation etc) and tell them about what you do. If you say something negative about another professional, it will certainly come back to haunt you. The equine world is a very small one.