The Wild Trimmer

01/10/2025

Once upon a time, my daughter used to ride at a local riding school. Every week she went along enthusiastically, dressed head to toe in Horseland’s finest, eager to ride the cutest pony in the stables. He was a popular boy, and all the kids wanted a turn on him.

His name was Basil—although in our house he soon became known as Bloody Basil.

As much as the little kids adored riding him, he didn’t share the feeling. He dumped my daughter Madeleine (and many others) at every opportunity!

After about the eighth time she was thrown off (she persevered, bless her), we moved on to another riding school.

Fast forward seven years, and I was visiting a new client who had a small herd of horses and ponies. I’d just finished trimming the second-to-last horse when my client said, “I’ll just go fetch the pony, Basil.”

Well, I knew then and there who was about to come around the corner. There couldn’t be that many ponies called Basil! And sure enough, strutting out from behind the trees into the yard came the very same pony. I recognised him instantly, laughed, and shared the story of my daughter’s history with him. I snapped a photo and sent it to Madeleine with the caption, Guess who? She replied straight away: BLOODY BASIL!

He certainly left a lasting impression.

Since those days, Basil eventually left the riding school and changed hands a couple of times before ending up with my client. Now he enjoys a happy semi-retired life in the paddock, bouncing around with his herd mates, and his temperament has improved enormously.

His feet, however, had become a bit wayward and distorted during those years of transition. But after seven months of regular four-weekly trims, they’re looking much better. Not perfect yet, but well on their way to being strong, healthy, functional feet.

I truly enjoy seeing Basil happy in his home. He can still be a little grumpy during a trim, and I’ll sometimes whisper “Bloody Basil” under my breath—but there will always be a special place in my heart for this cheeky little pony. ❤️

01/10/2025

Wishing my client Elise and her beautiful pony, Moon good luck and success at Pony Club Dressage Nationals this week!
Moon successfully transitioned from shod to barefoot this year and has been going very well!

22/09/2025

Happy 1st Birthday to my beautiful, not so little, Norah! Here’s to many more laps around the sun together ❤️ 🎉🎁🥳

Phoenix Park Sport Horses-Clydesdale X
Illoura Downs

16/09/2025

I’ve been having an incredible time this week learning from the amazing Daisy Bicking. Gaining deeper knowledge into the foot, to make better assessments of the horses I work on, and to give them a better outcome. Can’t wait to see what the rest of the week has in store. Some great friends and connections have been made. Many thanks to Len from True Nature Trimming for hosting such a great clinic.

02/08/2025

100% - could not love this more!

THE DANGERS OF MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN WITH RASPS

Apparently, barefoot trimmers are “mostly middle-aged menopausal housewives.”
That’s the latest pearl of insight doing the rounds online.
And you know what?
It’s not entirely wrong.

I am middle-aged.
I am menopausal.
And I absolutely will talk about digital cushions, mechanical load, and mineral ratios while sweating through a fleece in February.

Let’s unpack it, shall we?

“Housewife.”
Interesting choice. We run businesses, keep yards going, manage clients, plan rehabs, and hold the line between panic and progress. If that counts as housewifery, we’d like a raise. And a stronger wheelbarrow.

“Menopausal.”
Correct. Which means the nonsense-filter is gone. Evaporated. We now say what we think. Kindly, mostly. Firmly, always. Our tempers are short but our memory is long, and we've lived long enough to know the difference between a setback and a story someone tells themselves to avoid change.

“Middle-aged.”
Yes again. We’ve done the years in the field. The hours in the books. The heartbreak of rehabs that didn’t go to plan. We’ve made mistakes. Owned them. Learned. Tried again. And now we turn up to each appointment not to prove anything, but to help the horse — even if that means saying something uncomfortable, or stepping back.

And while we’re at it — let’s talk physicality.
This work is hard. It takes strength, stamina, and steel-core endurance. We haul hoof jacks, wrangle draft crosses, trim in sideways rain and searing heat. We lift, carry, squat, and stabilise half a tonne of shifting anatomy — often for hours at a time, on less sleep than ideal and joints that don’t always cooperate. We don’t just know hoof mechanics. We embody them.

We’re not here to be trendy. We’re not here for applause. And we’re certainly not here to start industry wars.
We collaborate with professionals we trust. We ask questions. We listen. We refer when needed. And we’ve got the radiographs, case notes, and clinical outcomes to back it.

So yes: some of us are barefoot trimmers.
Some of us are menopausal.
And all of us are still standing.

What’s more dangerous than a woman with a rasp?
A woman with context.
And quad strength.

⚠️ SATIRE WARNING: This post contains irony, exaggeration, and the occasional hormone-fuelled truth bomb. If you're tempted to take it literally, step away from the keyboard and drink some magnesium. Not everything is a personal attack — but some things are cultural mirrors. Handle with self-awareness.

24/07/2025

Recently, I assisted in the safe and lawful return of two ponies to their legal owners after concerns were raised about their care and condition.
As a Certified Equine Hoofcare Practitioner, I take animal welfare very seriously, and when it became clear the ponies welfare was at risk, I acted with the full consent and documentation of the owners, and with permission from the property owner where the ponies were being agisted.

Since then, I’ve become aware of false rumours suggesting the ponies were stolen, and of defamatory comments being made about me.

To be absolutely clear: this was a peaceful, coordinated recovery of the ponies by their rightful owners, done respectfully and within the law, with all necessary documentation and communication in place.

While I will not be engaging in online arguments or speculation, I want to reassure my clients and community that I stand by my actions — and always will — when it comes to protecting the welfare of the animals in my care.

I remain committed to professionalism, transparency, and the highest standards of equine care. Thank you to those who continue to support me and the work that I do.

Pic of my beloved Alfie and Obie for attention (who I miss dearly).

27/06/2025

🎯

20/05/2025

Hoof Transformation Tuesday! 🐴💫

🧡 PILGRIM 🧡

This handsome little chap had lacked hoofcare for quite some time and had very high heels. I was pleased with how well he trimmed up!
Now that he has a new home, he will receive regular trims. I’m looking forward to getting to know him, and seeing him thrive under the care of his wonderful new owner.

02/02/2025

I will be trimming in Gordon on the 14th Feb and have room for 4 well mannered horses in the afternoon. Feel free to share with anyone who may be interested.

31/01/2025

I have been inundated with new enquiries over the last week. I will get back to everyone over the weekend. Thanks for your patience.

27/01/2025

If you have been waiting for a call or reply message/reschedule from me, I will get back to you very soon. I have been offline nursing my own precious horse through a nasty episode of viral infection and colic. Thankfully he looks like he is on the mend now. I am so grateful for our amazing vets. ❤️
Thank you for your patience. I will be in touch with you soon.
Many thanks
Jen & Alfie

06/12/2024

Did you know that I am an approved Scoot Boot fitter and retailer?
The perfect gift for your barefoot friend this Christmas! This fabulous pink combo are ready for their special unicorn just in time for their next trail ride.
Send me a message and I will organise a sizing session for you.
Jen 🎄🐴❤️