Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! Well, the welcome should be from my horse, Hollywood.



Hoping that his health will be positively impacted going barefoot has led me to pulling his shoes.



Now, a little about my dear Hollywood. He is a 12 year old gelding, 15.1 hands, palomino quarter horse. I have owned him for 2 years now. I don't know anything about his past but he has had some fine training and some really bad handling. When I got him he had a lot of fear and trust issues but, thanks to a really good friend/horse trainer, we have greatly improved and are moving forward.



Hollywood and I were at a riding clinic in March, 2009 when I noticed that he would trip on his left front leg occasionally. I tried to dismiss it because we were doing some manuevers that Hollywood wasn't very good at like roll backs.



My vet was out in April 2009 for everyone's spring shots, teeth floating and sheath cleanings. I mentioned Hollywood's tripping to my vet and he looked at him. After lunging him, flexing him and using his hoof testers, my vet diagnoised Hollywood as mildly navicular. I was crushed. Hollywood was going to be my gymkhana/trail horse. I absolutely LOVE to run with him. I feel like I'm flying with my best friend.



Needless to say, I have since learned more about navicular than I ever thought was possible. By going barefoot with Hollywood I hope to ease his pain and be able to fly with him, even if only for a day, after his barefoot transition.