Ambassador Introduction: Jess and Ava

Say hello to Jess and Ava, our new ambassadors!

Hi, I’m Jess from Tasmania. I’m learning to trim hooves, with the intention of becoming a professional trimmer in the future, and have already completed a few short courses and read several books about hoof trimming. I have been assisting with trimming my own horse’s feet in between professional trims for the last 12 months and in the last three months I have taken over the trimming of my own horse with guidance from my hoof care professional.

My equine partner is an 11-year-old Friesian x Thoroughbred mare Ava. Ava and I enjoy trail riding and horseback archery. Horseback archery provides the perfect medium of good foundation horsemanship and a unique and challenging sport. Ava and I also enjoy riding lessons that focus on traditional in hand and classical dressage.

In October 2019 Ava suffered a leg injury to her right hand, it involved superficial cuts and bruising to lower leg tendons and was further complicated by proud flesh. As a result, she has suffered an ongoing lateral flare to left hind hoof due to the increased weight bearing at the time of injury. Now I am trimming Ava on a shorter cycle, I am trying to correct the lateral flare to this hind hoof. There are two cracks in her front hooves that we are trying to grow out and an ongoing battle with thrush that is being treated with medicated clay and the addition of balanced minerals to her feed.

I applied to become an ambassador because I believe the Holistic Hoof Care for Horse Owners course would assist me in gaining deeper knowledge as an owner/trimmer and be an invaluable resource whilst I am learning to trim. I am enrolled on the Australian Certified Equine Hoof Care Practitioners course at the end of this year, and I believe having access to Holistic Hoof Care for Horse Owners course before I attend will give me the best prospect for greater learning opportunities. I am a passionate advocate for keeping horses barefoot and holistically supporting horses to live in domesticated environments.

Hoof care is only one component of keeping horses healthy, it must be complimented with appropriate nutrition and movement and body work for success. I want to learn to trim hooves because I want to be able to make a difference to better the lives of our equine partners. I understand I am at the beginning of a long journey to become a professional hoof care provider, but my aim is to educate myself so that I improve not only the lives of my own horses but also all horses I will have the pleasure of working with in the future.