In July of 2008, I made the decision to stop competing with my horse Stamp in barrel racing because he was sore. After my vet told me he had navicular I was devastated because he was only 4 years old at the time. I couldn’t accept this so I took him to PEI for a second opinion only to have them tell me the same thing. They told me that corrective shoeing and medication would probably allow me to continue to race for a couple of years and then maybe he would be a candidate for nerve blocking followed by an early retirement or he could be euthanized. This was not an option for me because I love my horse too much too see him suffer like that. That is when I started to research about natural hoof trimming. I called PEI to see what they thought about it and they told me to stick to corrective shoeing. I didn’t listen!! I found Gudrun’s brochure and called her immediately. She told me she would help Stamp.
Against everyone’s advice, I went with the barefoot trim for Stamp. I decided to give it a try for a full year before I made any other decisions. I’m not going to lie; the first couple of months were really rough. He had some abscesses and he was extremely sore barefoot. I used the hoof boots on him to get him through this stage. Sure enough, 4 months later I was back in the saddle. I wasn’t sure at this point if I could race him because everyone told me he could never run as well barefoot. Well, this summer we proved them wrong. Not only did he run just as hard as he did in previous years; he improved. This summer was the first summer I’ve had him that he was completely sound for the whole show season. He competed in almost every exhibition in the Dodge barrels and did great. I went from being the most skeptical person in the horse industry to the biggest fan of natural hoof trimming. Gudrun is amazing at what she does and she truly wants to help the animals. In my opinion, she saved my horse.
Karen Hatcher & Going Postal (AKA Stamp)
September 2009

Three years ago the farrier who was shoeing my horse, Striker, suggested that I let Striker go barefoot and use hoof boots as we could not keep shoes on him. Striker had foundered a few years before I got him and he had very flat soles especially on the front feet. Also, he had long toes which resulted in stretched white lines, seedy toes and a crack in the left fore foot. After a lot of searching on the Internet I found a website that explained about the “wild horse trim” and how to do the trim.
I very cautiously started to rasp my horse’s feet every couple of weeks to try to copy the trim. I did not want to make him sore. I set about trying to find an AANHCP who could get me on the right path and take care of Striker’s feet. I started to use hoof boots on the front feet and he took to them really well.
At first I could not seem to locate a Hoof Care Practitioner anywhere except on mainland Nova Scotia and I am in Cape Breton. I was in the Farmers Co-op one day and there on the notice board was a flyer about AANHCP and Gudrun’s business card.
I was really excited to find a certified practitioner on the Island so I called Gudrun right away. She came out to see Striker and start his trimming routine. She has been coming every five weeks since June 2006. Gudrun is very kind and patient with Striker as she has a genuine love and understanding of the horse. There has been a change in Striker’s body as his feet are becoming balanced. He also had back problems, which I now know to be related to his body being out of balance due to poor feet. There is still a way to go, as the healing is still ongoing but it will be worth the wait, there are no quick fixes, but time and patience to undo years of shoeing and lack of proper foot care in Strikers earlier years.
I had also been researching about Reiki, a form of healing by touch and was delighted to discover that Gudrun is a Level 2 Reiki practitioner. This was when I became really excited; as Gudrun placed her hands on Striker’s back, he started reacting. You could see the energy flowing towards the withers as his muscles twitched in waves. He has a treatment every time Gudrun comes to trim his feet. I know some people will be skeptical about Reiki but horses do not know how to fake what they feel and the difference in Striker’s attitude is wonderful, as he now appears to be pain free.
If you are thinking of letting your horse go barefoot, there is a lot of evidence out there on the web and some horses do event, jump, race and do endurance rides barefooted or at least with hoof boots. I would recommend making the transition from shoes to barefoot. Call Gudrun, your horse will thank you.

Barbara Williams

"Gudrun truly has a wonderful gift with horses that I am so thankful she is willing to share. My horses all have had problems from physical to emotional. Gudrun recognizes each and every situation and has the knowledge and experience to deal with each one on an individual basis. Just as important, she brings to each horse compassion, respect and incredible patience. While her focus is on the horses, she has a very special way of being able to bring you to a closer understanding and relationship with your own horse. Gudrun has such a caring heart and has helped me and my horses immensely. After she leaves my place, I always feel truly inspired. "
Darlene Bailey, Annapolis Valley, N.S.

Several years ago I rescued three horses that all had problems: Satchmo had navicular and painful flat feet; Izzy had back problems; and Peekay was older, out of balance, and in pain. Fortunately, a friend introduced me to Gudrun and we started a regimen of Natural Hoof Care. My horses are well on the way to exceptional health.
Peekay looks years younger. He is now balanced and his body is taking on a whole new shape and, because his hooves are in such good shape, he no longer needs hoof boots to ride on the gravel roads in our village.
Satchmo is never lame plus his hooves are firm and developing a nice concavity. His body is also taking on a nice new shape and he is a happier, healthier horse.
Izzy's hooves look great and, although he still has back issues, he is so much better.
Gudrun is wonderfully patient and knows a lot about horses. For us, she has been a blessing.
C.Turner, South Shore, N.S.

BLUE LOVES GUDRUN!!!!
It has been almost four years since I fulfilled a life long dream of owning horses. It became possible because of my husband's retirement and a daughter who is as much in love with horses as her mother. We started off with Blue, a blue-eyed paint, who was quickly followed by Delilah, a beautiful pregnant PMU mare from Manitoba. At present we have eight horses. The last four years have been very busy
From the beginning we decided to try to give our horses a home that would be as close to 'natural' as possible. We received advice from experienced horse owners and veterinarians, and we read countless books and magazine articles about raising horses. After two years things were falling into place with regard to feeding, medicine, shelter, grooming and pasture. However the one area that still bothered us was hoof care. We weren't comfortable with trimming the horses hooves about every six weeks and then putting on the shoes. We told ourselves that it must be right because everyone was doing it. We kept telling ourselves this as we watched one of our mares be tied with ropes around her legs, when another was kicked by a farrier when we weren't in the barn, and when we noticed another horse limping after having his hooves trimmed. Our horses started to get agitated when they saw a farrier. Although our last farrier was gentle with the horses, we still didn't feel comfortable with this traditional method of trimming and shoeing.
Then in December 2005 I saw an article about Gudrun Buchhofer, a certified Natural Hoof Care Practitioner and Field Instructor. The article talked about how the Natural Hoof Care practitioners trim using the wild horse hoof as a model. I checked around and found that very few people had heard about this method of trimming. One person suggested it was "hogwash". This intrigued me even more.
I decided to give Gudrun Buchhofer a call. This was one the smartest things I have done for our horses. When Gudrun came to our farm and started explaining the facts behind the Natural Hoof method of trimming, I knew we had found the best method of hoof care for horses. Gudrun works slowly and gently with each horses, studies their stance and examines each hoof and adjusts the trim to fit the needs of that particular horse. Gudrun explained we would see gradual changes in the hooves as they took on a natural shape of those of wild horses. No longer would we need to shoe our horses and walking on rough terrain would not only be pain free but beneficial to the hooves.
Because of Gudrun, there has been an overall improvement in the well being of our horses. Blue, who used to hate having his hooves done, closes his eyes and is so relaxed he almost goes to sleep. He brushes his head gently against Gudrun as if saying 'thank-you'. And he no longer limps after a trimming. Gudrun confirmed what we had noticed about Sirius. From the rear he looked toed in. After just three trims by Gudrun, he now has a perfect stance. Two of our other horses had cracks in their hooves before Gudrun worked on them. After four sessions we have seen a big improvement in their hooves. .
Gudrun is a strong confident farrier and I would highly recommend her to other horse owners.
Rebecca and Angela Noonan

Ever since we got our two rescue horses (PMU 2 year olds), I worried about how I would get their feet trimmed. At two years of age they were still pretty much “wild horses” with very long ugly toes that was giving one of them a lot of trouble. Add to the mix, a miniature horse with an oversized attitude and I knew we were a challenge for any farrier.
With no real horse ownership experience, I knew I didn’t know how handle this and having been around a number of barns at hoof trimming time, I knew it could be ugly and dangerous. I talked to a local farrier with a good reputation, about my situation. When he mentioned the chokehold method of subduing a horse for a first time trim my anxiety rose!
Luckily for all of us, Gudrun entered our lives through a mutual friend. Not only has her trimming method improved the horse’s general well being and health, it has been a completely stress free experience. My “wild horses” snuggle up to Gudrun anxiously waiting their turn. They lift and hold all their feet knowing Gudrun will understand the need to find or shift their balance, take a break or just be gently talked to. They know she is doing something that will make them feel better and more comfortable, not tortured and abused. We all have a relaxing fun time in a safe, calm, “natural” atmosphere.
I guess it’s true you “get what you need” in life. I think every horse and every horse owner needs “a Gudrun”. Heather MacKenzie-Carey
First Time Horse Owner and Non-longer Anxious Parent!

“It is thanks to Gudrun that we have continued barefoot with our horses since she first did a workshop at our farm in March 2001. She is an excellent teacher, explaining well and inspiring confidence. I would highly recommend her for clinics.” Leslie Wade, Hobby Horse Farm, Coldbrook, N.S.

" At a recent clinic given by Gudrun in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley I learned how to trim my horses feet while respecting the natural integrity of the hoof. Although not new to barefoot trimming I had been making mistakes that were impeding my horses attempts to develop and retain a concave sole and thus pain free movement on stony terrain. The less invasive trim that she taught, with clarity and humility, was easy to understand and to implement. " Linda

The trim clinic was a huge help. You are a funny, kind, humble, and clear teacher. I see now mistakes I've been making trimming my horses' feet, but you never once made me feel self-conscious. Somehow you kept the focus on all the wonderful improvements we could make for the horses, and on how exciting it is to learn. I've been trimming with such enthusiasm since you left... using the tools with much more skill and actually starting to be able to "read" the hoof with some fluency. I very much look forward to studying with you again!
--Calloway M'Cloud, Unicorn Farm Horse Sanctuary, Montague, PEI

"The clinic on Nov. 26, was just what we needed - a full day of hands on trimming practice on our own horses. Gudrun answered a lot of questions about certain aspects of the trim. Now I am looking forward to seeing
changes on the hooves. Happy Trimming!" Irmgard

"When I was introduced to the possibility of not shoeing a horse, the concept resonated with me. Without hesitation I knew this was the path to follow. I met Gudrun last November at a clinic. She taught a less invasive trim that made more intuitive sense to me than the one I had been aspiring to follow. I've never been able to become an advocate of the "no gain without pain" mentality I've heard from other, more invasive, barefoot trimmers. Gudrun's attention to flairs and evening the hoof wall has made an immediate improvement in the vertical crack in Teddy's front right hoof. After 2 years of worrying about that crack, it is finally growing out. Also Teddy is reaching through his shoulder more and is generally more forward than before. I believe his improved movement is a result of the attention to the height of his heels in combination with the even hoof walls. Thank you Gudrun! Diana Church, Tendrel Farm"

In 2002, I contacted Jaime Jackson for advice regarding the diagnosed navicular problem and underrun heel / long toe syndrome of my QH mare Sox. Jaime responded immediately and in detail suggesting to trim her hooves differently. He described how the trim should be approached as well as the environment which would benefit her. I don't know what was more frustrating, knowing that someone out there could help her but was not accessible to us due to geographical distance or trying to get my farrier to see things Jaime Jackson's way. In short, the only change made was to pull her shoes.
2005: in comes Gudrun Buchhofer. What surprise and excitement when she switched from the Strasser to the Jackson method. She has been trimming Sox' feet since June and what difference!!! My mare's hooves are more even, the soles are harder and there is actually a concavity developing! Gudrun in her competence and great ability to explain (even my 86 year old non-horsey mother, after listening to Gudrun explain what she is doing to me, said: "that makes perfect sense!") is proving all the traditionalists and naysayer wrong with a method which deserves to spread like a grass fire....
March 2006: Since about 5 days, 12 years old Sox has started to remember that she is a Quarter Horse! Every day now, when it is time to go down to the other end of her roaming grounds, she starts by racing down the path in an extended gallop for about a quarter mile - everyone, of course, following with flying manes and tails -then slowing to a saunter with hips swaying loosely and a demeanour that says: "Well guys, what do you think of That?!" ..And this my stiff and sore mare who hated to move!?!
Oh sure, spring has something to do with it, but I truly credit her 'new feet'! This morning while she was eating her feed, standing on level ground, I noticed for the first time that her front hooves do not look as flat anymore, that the hoof angle is slowly but oh so surely changing. You cannot imagine how amazing that is for me who has heard for years that Sox is and always will be a long toe/underrun heel horse in need of orthopedic shoeing..
Gudrun, you are giving this horse a new lease on life!!! Sibylle Bechtold & Sox