Head to Hoof Animal Care

07/07/2025

Some pictures of a couple horses teeth I did today! Traveled down to Clayton to do these guys. I will be going back down to Clayton September 8th and I’m willing to add a couple stops if needed. If I do enough horses I don’t charge a fuel fee!!

06/25/2025

First barrel “run” on this stud horse since January. This is jmac a 4yo QH stud I broke out and hauled around fun shows last year. I’m not a fan of studs but I really like his laid back intelligent personality. He spent the winter with his people and is back in my pastures for some more work and is actually standing at stud with me.

06/02/2025

There’s not a lot that I dislike more than a horse who doesn’t load. For some people it might not be a big deal but for me it is. Caliber was already super hood with loading before I started working with her so I decided to take it one step farther just to see if I could. She now self loads as long as someone else is in the trailer. We’re still working on self loading without anyone else but baby steps and for now this is a win.

05/25/2025

Why do I spend so much time doing groundwork? So all my first rides look like this. It was not pretty by any means and she still isn’t completely sure or comfortable with what’s going on but I call this a win. It helps Caliber is incredibly smart so she picked up everything extremely quickly. I’m so thankful I get the opportunity to work with this horse.

05/23/2025

I’m a one woman show so bear with me on the videoing quality. To start, I am not just kneeing caliber in the gut . I am pressing my knee into the stirrup which bumps her to mock my foot when I kick her.
After my accident I started doing this thing where I walked by the side of the horse and control them like that and it makes the first ride so much easier as they have a better understanding of what I’m asking of them. It doesn’t look pretty but I think it sets them up to succeed a lot quicker once you do hop on and start riding. I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as too much ground work and you can do just about everything on the ground that you can do in the saddle so I will do it on the ground till they have a pretty good idea of what I’m asking before I ever throw my leg over. Ground work is extremely vital in my opinion. I don’t do a lot until I have their respect on the ground no matter where I take them, how fast I’m moving, or what’s going on around us. Not pictured is the several weeks worth of groundwork I didn’t video...
I took quite a videos today that I will be posting over the next couple weeks to show why ground work is so important.

04/29/2025

Did you know people can’t get lice from horses?
HOW TO TELL IF A HORSE HAS LICE
Excessive itching – frequent rubbing against fences, stalls, or trees.
Restlessness – the horse may seem irritated or constantly moving.
Biting or nipping at its own body.
Patchy hair loss – especially along the neck, shoulders, mane, tail base, or back.
Scaly or crusty skin – due to scratching and inflammation.
Visible lice or nits (eggs) – you may see small, pale yellow to brown lice moving on the skin or tiny eggs stuck to hair shafts, particularly in dense coat areas.
To confirm:
Part the hair and inspect the skin, especially in warm, hairy areas like the mane, tail head, and under the forelock.

HOW TO TREAT HORSES WITH LICE
1. Use an Effective Lice Treatment:
You can choose from several insecticidal products:

Topical Sprays, Pour-ons, or Powders:

Permethrin (common and effective)
Cypermethrin
Pyrethrin (more natural but may be less effective)
Ivermectin or moxidectin (oral dewormers – only work on sucking lice)
Important: Most treatments need to be repeated in 10–14 days to kill lice that hatch from eggs.

2. Isolate the Affected Horse:
Keep infested horses separated to prevent spreading lice.
Check and monitor other horses for symptoms.
3. Clean and Disinfect Equipment:
Wash or disinfect blankets, brushes, tack, halters, and grooming tools.
Launder blankets and saddle pads in hot water and dry on high heat if possible.
4. Groom Thoroughly:
Remove dead lice and eggs manually by brushing and curry combing.
Focus on areas like the mane, tail base, and neck.
5. Monitor and Repeat Treatments:
Inspect the horse regularly for signs of reinfestation.
Reapply treatments according to the label instructions.
Note: Some horses may also need supportive care for irritated or infected skin—your vet may recommend soothing shampoos or topical antibiotics.

04/26/2025

Meet Caliber! She is a 3yo mare that I get the pleasure to train for the next couple months. She is currently only halter broke but my goal is to get her desensitized and broke enough to at least trail ride and be around kids safely. She has very little respect for me and is always in my space. The day before this video she completely plowed over me. My goal in the video is to respect my space without me having to think for her. She wasn’t perfect but this is a small clip and much better than her running me over!

04/17/2025

Spring is a great time to get your horses regular maintenance done for the year so you’ll both be ready for the summer riding things.

Keeping a horse's teeth floated (or dental work) is important for their overall health, comfort, and performance. Floating helps maintain a smooth, even grinding surface for better digestion, reduces the risk of dental problems like sharp edges or hooks that can injure the mouth, and improves the horse's ability to eat and perform.
Here's a more detailed look at the importance of teeth floating:

Benefits of Floating:

• Improved Digestion: Sharp edges and uneven surfaces on teeth can make it difficult for horses to chew properly, leading to incomplete digestion and potentially other health issues.
• Reduced Risk of Choke: Sharp edges and hooks can irritate the horse's throat and increase the risk of choking.
• Enhanced Comfort: Floating addresses sharp points and uneven surfaces that can cause discomfort when the horse is ridden or when chewing.
• Preventing Dental Problems: Regular floating helps prevent the development of more severe dental problems like tooth fractures, abscesses, and infections.
• Improved Performance: Horses with well-maintained teeth are generally more comfortable and perform better in riding and other activities.
• Increased Longevity: Addressing dental problems early can help extend the lifespan of a horse's teeth and overall health.

When to Float:

• Initial Floating: Most horses should have their teeth examined and floated for the first time between 18 months and 2 years of age, or even sooner if signs of problems are noticed.
• Adult Horses: While the exact frequency varies, most adult horses should have their teeth checked and floated at least once a year, and some may need it more often, says Belton Feed.
• Signs of Dental Problems: If you notice signs like dropping food, difficulty chewing, changes in appetite, or cuts on the cheek or tongue, it's important to have your horse's teeth examined by a veterinarian or equine dentist.

The Floating Process:

• Equine Dentist: Floating is performed by a qualified equine dentist.
• Sedation: Some horses may need sedation to make the procedure easier and safer.
• Tools: Dental rasps or motorized float heads are used to smooth and correct the teeth.
• Regular Exams: It's recommended to have your horse's teeth examined regularly, even if they don't need floating every time, to monitor their dental health.

Routine dental exams and teeth floating are essential for horse health. Learn about the process, benefits, and how to maintain your horse's dental health.

04/11/2025

I’m so bad about posting and advertising! Here’s some horse feet I did yesterday. They’re not perfect but way better than they were

03/01/2025

Well, I guess I should write a little about myself!
I've loved animals for as long as I can remember—it's been a part of who I am since my earliest memories. Growing up, I was always fascinated by animals, especially horses. It's been a dream of mine to have a career where I could work with them and truly make a difference in their lives. From a young age, I knew this was the path I wanted to follow.
Throughout my life, I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to experience a variety of equestrian disciplines. I've ridden in several different styles, learning the intricacies of each, and I've spent time showing halter, which taught me about the importance of precision and understanding the horse’s form. Every experience shaped me and deepened my passion for working with horses.
I've had the privilege of learning from professionals all over the country—each one specialized in their own discipline, offering me new perspectives and knowledge. These experts not only taught me technical skills but also instilled in me the value of patience and adaptability when working with animals.
In my pursuit to deepen my knowledge and broaden my skills, I trained to become a farrier, learning to care for horses’ hooves in the best way possible. I also attended equine dentistry school, understanding how important dental health is to a horse's well-being. I even took first aid classes and became certified to ensure I could always be prepared for any situation involving the animals I care for.

02/27/2025

More horse feet done today!