WH114 | Holistic + horse-first hoofcare with Kendra Skorstad

In this episode with farrier Kendra Skorstad, our conversation covers my many (and maybe yours too!) hoof-related questions from both the perspective of horse steward and body worker, including the interplay between horses' posture, body, and the health of their feet, as well as specific inquiries surrounding navicular, high-low syndrome and heel first landings. It was so refreshing and affirming to hear how Kendra approaches hoofcare from a holistic and horse-first perspective, where making choices such as whether to go barefoot, wear metal shoes or use other tools such as composite shoes or boots are made based on the needs of each individual horse.  I hope you enjoy our conversation full of interesting tidbits as much as I did - the possibility for fascinating rabbit holes here was endless, so we covered a lot of ground and had some fun doing it.  Kendra Skorstad brings artistry, science, and her love for horses together in her life long career as a farrier and horsewoman. She is highly sought after in her community due to her experiences as a barefoot trimmer and farrier combined with proficiency using new technologies and alternative materials for hoof protection. In her teamwork approach, she embraces a balance between research based work and honoring the individuality of each horse. She has published articles, gives clinics and lectures in the US and has lectured internationally, is a guest speaker for the University of Guelph and has been featured in podcasts for The Plaid Horse and The Humble Hoof. You can follow Kendra on her FB page Skorstad Farrier Service