AboutGwenyth Browning Jones Santagate Expertise My expertise lies in Natural Equine Hoofcare. If you're looking for answers about your horse's natural hooves, I can help you. I am a professional hoofcare specialist dealing in the pathologies of the hoof i.e. Laminitis, Navicular, Whiteline Disease and others. I can answer your questions concerning pathologies of the hoof as well as "transitioning" your horse from shoes to barefoot. My emphasis is on the health of the hooves, overall.
Experience Over 40 years of life with horses. Trimming hooves since the 1980's and professional hoofcare since 2001. I am also a trainer/teacher of horses and have been licensed as an instructor in Massachusetts since 1994. I own and operate my own boarding and rehab facility. I also have developed, written and teach Natural Hoofcare courses, clinics and seminars to horselovers from all over the world. Am trained Veterinary Surgical Assistant and Technician for both small animals and Equine. ; Trainer for 30 years.
Organizations Past 4-H Founding Equine Leader over 10 years in FL and MA.
State Director of the AMBA.
Past Regional Director of PPLtd.
Publications Contributing author to the 2001 Federal Mounted Border Patrol Equine Training Manual; Local and International Equine Publications; Contributing Editor Suite 101 Natural Horsemanship.
Education/Credentials Specific to hoofcare: Mentored under Marjorie Smith. Clinics w/Pete Ramey. Individual studies of Jaime Jackson, Gene Ovnicek, Lyle Bergeleen, Dr. R. Bowker, Dr. C. Pollitt.
Past/Present clients Include local showmen as well as Eventers, Barrel Racers, Cutters, Hunter-Jumpers and Dressage. Pleasure Trail Riders and Rescues. Most clients are recovering/recovered pathological situations.
Question Gwen, I have a 5 year old Arabian gelding who has been barefoot all his life. He's a little bit pigeon toed and is sometimes a little unbalanced on his feet. This coming June i would like to take him to a week long clinic that requires 1 hour of riding, twice a day. In the past i have taken my mare to the same clinic and shoed all four of her feet because the clinic is a lot of work for the horses. I now am wondering if i should shoe my gelding's feet for this clinic or will he be ok just barefoot? He has never had shoes on before so will his performance change if i shoe him this year? please let me know, thanks
Answer Hi Kristen! Personally, as long as you've been riding him regularly and his hooves are healthy and sound on all terrain, I see no reason why he needs to be shod. If it would make you feel better, "just in case", instead of getting him shod get some OLD MAC G2's to have on hand. You can also get some pads and gaiters to go with them and he'll be all set! You can find out more information about them here: http://www.easycareinc.com/our_boots/old_macs_G2/Old_Macs_G2.aspx
Another good brand of hoofboots are EPICS. You can read about them at the same site.
