Educating horse owners since 2014
Founded in 2014, our goal is to bring awareness and understanding to the study of barefoot trimming and it's benefit to our domesticated horses. Our lessons and core teachings are based on a wild horse model and a natural lifestyle for our equines.
Our teaching is not limited to one specific clinician's method, but instead encompass aspects of many different trimming styles. Our aim is to teach about the internal structures of the hoof and how to trim to enhance and promote natural hoof mechanics based on wild horse studies and the specific conformation and anatomy of each individual horse.
We are devoted to the study of the hoof, and are continually furthering our education and knowledge in an effort to provide a comprehensive program that leaves our students with an in-depth understanding of the hoof and the skills to trim to promote natural hoof mechanics and function.
Our teaching is not limited to one specific clinician's method, but instead encompass aspects of many different trimming styles. Our aim is to teach about the internal structures of the hoof and how to trim to enhance and promote natural hoof mechanics based on wild horse studies and the specific conformation and anatomy of each individual horse.
We are devoted to the study of the hoof, and are continually furthering our education and knowledge in an effort to provide a comprehensive program that leaves our students with an in-depth understanding of the hoof and the skills to trim to promote natural hoof mechanics and function.
In the spring of 2014 we traveled to Southern Oregon to document and study the wild horses of the Steen Mountains and evaluate their hooves. What really stood out was the rocky landscape and rough uneven terrain these horses live on. The ground is covered with rocks everywhere you look, yet these horses move over them effortlessly without missing a stride. They had healthy hoof wall connection, low, strong, wide heels, a well developed frog, and a balanced hoof print.
When I first started this school, I never dreamed that it would become what it has. I have been very blessed to have students come from all over the world to experience time here and to share their journey with me. Not only do students learn when they come here, but I learn from them as well. Getting to experience so many different styles and ways of life with horses has been eye opening.
I am grateful to my family, they are so gracious, willing to open up our farm to students' multiple weeks of the year and manage to keep me grounded when I have a million things going on all at the same time.
My goal is to help as many horses as I can, and the best way to do that is to educate others. I am passionate about teaching and helping people to learn how to improve the care of their horses. I am certified by the Canadian Farrier School, the Oregon School of Natural Hoof Care and I am certified in Equine Massage and a graduate of the Horsemanship Equine Dentistry School, as I believe strongly in addressing a "whole horse approach" when balancing my horses mental, physical and emotional needs. Horses are my life and I endeavor to always keep learning so that I can continue to educate others and to help as many horses as I can. In my down time I travel to as many clinics as possible and am always interested in reading the newest research and development on anything related to the betterment of the lives of horses.
I have a passion for innovation, and am a big proponent of protecting our horses hooves when needed with hoof boots or composite shoes. I stand behind the products I sell as I use them every day, and have found them to be the most beneficial to our horses.
Here at OKSNHC our family run facility has a herd of 6 horses, all are barefoot or working on their transition to barefoot. Our herd is extremely well behaved and stable. Because they live in a herd on a track-based system (see Paddock Paradise), our horses get plenty of exercise and mental and emotional stimulation. We also run a small boarding facility with 4 boarded horses that take part in our trimming classes./courses.
Kristi Luehr, Owner of the Okanagan School of Natural Hoof Care
