FAQ

Below are some common questions I get from customers about my services. If you don’t find your answer here, please feel free to contact me to discuss your questions.

What areas do you service?

I am based in Maungaturoto and I service the Northland and Auckland region from Whangarei to West Auckland.

What is your availability?

Monday to Friday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm and Saturday by special arrangement.

Do you work with difficult horses?

Yes, I do. Like humans, every horse is an individual and deserves patience and respect.

My horse is very nervous, are you patient?

Absolutely, I approach every task with your horse’s best interest at heart.

Will you let me know if you are running late?

Yes, when dealing with horses, patience is paramount and sometimes this may cause some delays that I had not already accounted for. If this is the case, I will contact you on the day with reasonable notice to advise you of a revised arrival time.

How many horses will you trim at one location?

I will trim up to 20 horses at one location.

What type of horses do you trim?

From miniature horses, to ponies, to thoroughbreds, to Clydesdales, and any horse type in between. I have a wide range of experience with all horse types from small to large.

I am also able to trim donkey hooves.

Are you available for emergency hoof trimming?

If your horse’s hoof is overgrown and requires immediate trimming feel free to contact me and I will do my best to fit you in.

On a side note, I realise that people have hectic lives, so I send all my regular clients reminders before their horses’ next trims are due.

How often should I have my horse barefoot trimmed?

I recommend between 4-6 weeks. In certain times of the year such as spring your horse may require closer intervals between trims due to faster hoof growth. This obviously depends on the individual horse, and this recommendation may vary depending on the horse and the environment in which it lives.

Are you able to remove shoes from a horse?

Yes, I do this regularly to help horses transition from being shod to going barefoot.

Are you able to shoe horses?

I am extremely proficient in the task, but it is not a service I choose to provide.

Do you trim foals?

Yes, I do.

Are you able to trim donkey’s hooves?

Yes, I am as I have a lot of experience in dealing with donkeys too.

Do you provide other services?

Together with my wife, we provide equine education. We are very selective of the clients we take on. I only provide these services once I have gotten to know you and your horse on several occasions.

Do you recommend any products or supplements for hoof care?

My wife and I produce a range of equine supplements right here in New-Zealand. We have been selling them commercially for many years and from our own experience and feedback of others, we know they work really well. You can check out the product range here at https://www.equineroyalenz.com/

Are shoes bad for horses?

Horseshoes have their uses depending on the tasks that the horse is performing.

If a horse doesn’t require shoes for its normal activities, it is my personal opinion that it is better not to have them. Specific situations will require a horse to be shod, and individual horses may at times need them.

Do you follow the Strasser hoof trimming method?

After careful consideration of this method and my years of experience, I do not subscribe to or perform this method.

What experience do you have?

There are many courses out there that claim to be the best for barefoot trimming. Some teach valid practices, and others not so much, but nothing replaces years of experience, observation and repeated practice. You can have as many certificates as you like. But unless you learn to read the horse, be in tune with it and fully understand its movement and can then correctly execute the trim tailored to the individual horse, it means nothing. I am forever learning from the greatest teachers about the subject, the horses themselves. I encourage you to read the testimonials from horse owners and breeders who have used my services to confirm my experience and capabilities.

What type of payment do you accept?

I accept EFT bank transfer or cash. I do require the payment to be made on the day once I complete the job.