How did we begin this journey?

We have had many ponies over the years.

Problems have occurred - especially in Spring - when ponies get fatter and some founder.

With one particular pony, Velvet, traditional methods (fasting, corrective shoeing etc) weren't working. She was down, in pain and everyone said to euthanase her. Not Ruth. Her stubborn streak kicked in and she desperately sought alternative methods of treatment. She found barefoot trimming success stories for ponies who had foundered. She went to clinics, had a go, built up her strength and knowledge, and finally set Velvet free! Velvet lived for 17 years - 5 of those founder and pain free.

Ruth initially undertook a Strasser Clinic, then studied under Will 'the Hoofman' Miller (from NZ). We have hosted successful clinics at our property near Geelong.

Currently we have 7 horses (3 we have bred ourselves,  2 rescues and 2 we bought because we liked them!)

We are happy to pass on our knowledge to anyone who wants to learn.

We are strong advocates of barefoot horses.

The horse world is reassessing the need for shoes and we fully support the ideal that a healthy horse is barefoot one.

Whilst we recognise that there are situations where shoes are necessary, we believe that just as humans don't live in their shoes, neither should our horses.

Recently Will Miller was asked to be the barefoot trimmer for the Tom Quilty ride. We applaud and support such a move.

(Now for the dressage world!)

If you are wanting to remove your horses shoes and need a little advice on what to expect, please email us for help and support redwalpark@hotmail.com