Stardust

This is my kitten.

Yes, I clip his nails. I also clip my Cat, Sparky (not shown), nails.

Rock fragnment from Cayman's hoof

As you can sort of see the rock fragment is about one centimeter long.
The sharp end facing to the left was in first, and was the sharpest side of the rock.

It is a piece of gravel, but went I was extracting it, I really thought it was a piece of obsidian. Upon examining the rock I realized it was gravel, much to my disappointment.

I was really hoping the rock fragment was obsidian which would be possible due to the location of the pasture.

I got pretty excited.

Abscess Site on Caymans hoof

The black spot at the tip of the toe is the abscess site.
I pulled the rock out. While trimming the other hoof, I cleaned more rock debris out only to find a second abscess. Both hooves where treated and wrapped.

Caymans feet

Cayman is sound after the wraps where removed.

Award for Continuing Education

Continuing Education:

In the Spring of 2008, I attended the San Jose Symposium for upcoming Scientist as a judge for the science fair.

One of the future scientists had conducted a scientific experiment on velocity. Her project was the Twinkie Drop. It was very interesting and very well done. Because of the simplistic nature of the experiment, I felt she would not get a well deserved recognition.

Because I am a geologist, I was judging for Earth Science, not physics.

Because I am my own boss, I honored this young lady by presenting her an award sponsored by (Me) Cheryl Smith Professional Farrier Services. I telephoned the appropriate people and got permission to go to her school to present her award and give her some perks.

Most Creative Award

Bubba's Feet before his trim

This are Bubba's front feet before his trim. He is on a four week trim schedule for optimum performance and soundness.

This is Bubba's feet before his trim. I almost did not purchase Bubba 7 years ago because his feet where so bad. He had not been shod on a regular schedule. His previous farrier talked me out of shoeing him much to my resistance.

Bubba is toed in on all fours. His feet where so out-of-balance when I purchased him, he kept tripping and falling down with me on him.

His farrier fixed his feet, and I have kept up his trims for the past four years.

He can go back to shoes, but does well without them. His hooves are very hard.

This is Bubba feet after his trim

Just a side view of Bubba's hooves

The bruse is from thrashing in his horse trailer. I got rid of the trailer.

This is Bubba's hooves after his trim. I have removed his flares and he still looks a bit pigeon toed, but nothing I will correct because he has adjusted to this confirmation.