I provide a variety of hoof care services, whether it's a horse that goes barefoot, standard shoeing, "Natural Balance" or something a little more specialized like plastic glue-on shoes with impression material for frog support. Each style/application of shoeing has specific application guidelines. I have attended many clinics and seminars to become familiar with the correct application of each specialized product I use (ie. Natural Balance, plastic shoes, heartbar shoes, etc). The basis for each meathod always begins with a correct balanced trim. If the trim isn't right, no shoe in the world will "fix" the problem. The following is a brief list of services I provide. Upon evaluation of your horse, I will be more than happy to discuss the many options available that would be best suited to your horse and his situation. • Barefoot Trimming • Conventional Shoeing • Natural Balance / EDSS • EponaShoe (Plastic) • Plus many other 'theraputic' options What you can expect: I pride myself on being on time, keeping scheduled appointments and hopefully any answers to your hoof care questions. Being on time is a big issue with me as I hate to be late, however, know that I may be asked to look at another horse for whatever reason that wasn't scheduled. So usually if I'm running more than thirty minutes late, I'll try calling to let the client know I'm running behind. Of course calling depends on cell service especially in most areas I work. When I'm shoeing a horse, I do prefer to hot fit/seat. This is because it is beneficial to the horse in a number of ways. First, it seals the horn tubules that have just been cut open and exposed. Second, many feet have a varying degree of bacterial infection in and around the white line. And third, if you have to make an adjustment to the shoe you don't have to heat the shoe back up after being cooled. Typically, shoes are much easier to custom-fit to your horse while they are hot. The shoe is fit to the foot, not the foot to the shoe! The difference between hot fitting and hot seating is that hot fitting is just that, you are checking the fit of the shaped shoe to the hoof while the shoe still has heat in it. With hot seating, the fit is already done and you get a nice even dull red color to the shoe and set the shoe on the hoof. What you're trying to accomplish is an even burn around the hoof wall which "marries" the shoe to the foot, seals the horn tubules and kills any surface bacteria or fungus. What I expect: This is a real important topic to me as it affects all the work I do. For a new client- please don't call me up fourteen weeks after your horse was last shod wanting to know if I'll come out tomorrow to shoe your horse. Understand I'm usually booked six to eight weeks in advance. There are times during those six to eight weeks that I may be able to come out sooner but don't count on it. Also understand I'm not going to reschedule my existing clients that are scheduled to come do your horse that's eight weeks past due. I do emergency visits, but they are just that - emergencies. For my regular clients- please let me know as soon as possible if we need to reschedule or possibly make any changes. Emergencies happen but they are easier to handle sooner than later. If your horse loses a shoe let me know right away. It's much easier to tack the shoe back on than if you let it go a few days and continue riding. Also, if at all possible please try to find the shoe. This will make it much faster for me to tack it back on rather than to build a new one. It may let me know how he got it off and probably get to you sooner rather than later as I will most likely be between scheduled appointments, so time is important. Also if you notice something about your horse between shoeing visits that possibly relates to their feet, please let me know. Hopefully I only see the horse every six weeks or so, so I don't know how he's going in the arena, trail or if on lay up. If something is not right, we need to fix it before it's broken. As horses age, their bodies change and so do their feet. If your horse is compensating for body soreness, it will often affect their feet. Sometimes we can make adjustments to help your horse out with other problems he may be having. To any client - while not mandatory, I do encourage you to be there anytime I'm shoeing. I can mention any concerns I may see and you could let me know anything that I should know while working on your horse. If your horse is difficult to catch, don't expect me to catch it. I do not like going out in a pasture to catch even a well behaved horse so please either be there to catch them or put them in a stall/pen. If your horse does not stand quietly for me to work on, plan on being there to hold it. I don't like surprises least of all a horse that won't stand quietly. Remember it's your horses foot I'm working on. If you can't be there to hold an unruly horse I may not do him or may have my assistant hold it and you will be charged for it. The working area is very important to good shoeing. First of all, it must be safe for both the horse and myself. Second, it should be flat, firm and level. Third, have a place to tie a horse (either cross ties or hitching rail; make sure the horse is comfortable with either). Have a place that's shaded. We live in Southern California where there's more sun that anything else. I don't like working in direct sun during the middle of summer. It should have a readily available access to water, power and be easy to get to with a truck. Please plan on leaving a check if you are unable to be at your appointment. © 2005 Cross Creek Shoeing