About Me

Equine hoof care is a second career for me.  At this point it is part time.

I graduated from the University of Delaware in the mid 70’s with both a bachelors and a masters degree in Electrical Engineering.  I worked in the computer software field from 1976 until I retired in December of 2006.

My involvement with horses started in 1991 when we moved to a small farm near Orlean in Fauquier County, Virginia.  Shortly after moving, we purchased our first horses and started trail riding.

Since owning horses, I have wanted to care for their feet but never felt comfortable with learning to shoe.  In 2002, I attended a workshop (not with KC La Pierre) and learned a little about trimming and keeping horses barefoot.  Removing shoes from the equation meant I would be able to provide foot care for my horses.  I started trimming right away.

With the removal of shoes, the condition of my horses' feet improved. They were ridden both with hoof boots and barefoot.  I read what I could about keeping horses barefoot and developed my own style of trim.  Ultimately, I became frustrated with the lack of improvement in the condition of my horses' feet.  This led me to attend my first Equine Podiatry workshop taught by KC La Pierre in 2004.  KC’s in-depth approach to theory answered many of my questions.  What I learned made me realize how little I knew when I started trimming. In addition, it made me feel a little guilty for having started with so little knowledge.

I went on to attend more workshops and completed the requirements for a Diploma in Applied Equine Podiatry from the Institute of Applied Equine Podiatry (IAEP).  I started accepting clients and trimming professionally in January 2005.  Since receiving my diploma I have maintained my status as an Active Alumni by completing the continuing education requirements.  When I received my diploma, the online course was not a part of the requirements.  To keep up to date I completed the online course and received my certificate in September of 2006.

In November of 2006, I started working as an on-line instructor for the IAEP.  My duties include reviewing homework and grading exams for the Level One course.  In 2007, I completed the Institute's first training course for instructors.  This training qualifies me to teach three day workshops sponsored by the IAEP.

In addition to Equine Podiatry, my equine interests include trail riding, and training approaches that work with the nature of the horse.