Like most people turning to barefoot trimming I began with a farrier. It seemed cruel to have my boy's feet cut so short and especially the crippling he endured for up to 10 days after was just torture. My farrier was not open to discussion about the specific needs of my horse. What specific needs?! He's a horse!!! and discussion on barefoot trimming wasn't even worthy of a reply.

I had a hard time finding a barefoot trimmer who would come out to my area and the first one charged me a fortune for the privilege and didn't seem to know if my horse's feet were in good condition or not. She wasn't asked back.

I got in touch with Jeane (pronounced Je-nay), she told me she came out my way once a month. She sms me on the day to let me know she was running late and then again to tell me how far away she was. This was an impressive start. She brought a friend with her that first time and her dog. The dog posed an issue for us as it meant our dogs had to be locked up. She brings her dog most times.

Anyway, she seemed to know what she was talking about. At least she had an opinion of the condition of my horse's feet ;) and she was efficient yet took pride in her work and my boy was only a little sore afterwards. All looking good so far! Jeane promotes Easy Boots, and I mean promotes them at any opportunity! She leant me a pair to test drive for a few months and while they were fine I wasn't convinced that I needed them. More on that later.

Jeane likes to trim every 4 weeks, but this doesn't always happen. She doesn't book the next trim when she sees your horse, she prefers to send an sms 1-2 days prior to her next trip out and expects you to be available.

The impressive start we had steadily declined. It seems to me she doesn't know how to run a business effectively.

Also, 2-3 months ago my boy began to become sensitive in his feet. Jeane couldn't give me an explanation for this and kept siting environmental issues. The last time she came out she was surprised at the change in both my horses feet and fobbed this off as environmental changes. There had been no change beyond wet or dry conditions.... I was worried about the increasing sensitivity in his feet, particularly the back feet and the change in his posture. Jeane commented that it was very strange for a horse to be sore in the back feet and suggested that he may be a little laminitic. After the trim my boy deteriorated to the point where I couldn't even entice him out onto the road and I became so desperate that I almost bought a complete set of Easy Boots.

Things came to a head recently and I cancelled future appointments with Jeane. I sought the advice of 2 equine specialists. My boy did not have laminitis. Environment did not cause his sore feet or the change in his posture. The heels of all four feet had become underslung and the bars were in contact with the ground. This was causing bruising and inflammation. No wonder he was so sore!! So, what caused it? I have been told it is because of incorrect trimming.

I do not blame Jeane. Her heart is in the right place and she cares about her work. I blame the lack in her education that failed to teach how to assess correctly and trim accordingly.

Jeane covers a wide area, from the Yarra Valley up to Yea and surrounds, down to Narre Warren... you'll just have to get in touch to see if she'll come out to you. Email, call or sms. To date, she charges $50 for the first visit and $40 for subsequent trims. For 3 or more horses the charge is $35 per horse.