Hoof Care for the 21st Century

"achieve what is possible"

WHAT IS THE HOOF AND BODY SCHOOL

The core of Hoof and Body is the study and understanding the Horse's biomechanics and its relationship to whole horse balance. 

Biomechanics provides the basis for understanding balance and how to achieve it. Hoof and Body is not just another bodywork school, and it is far from just a barefoot trimming school. The education you will receive at Hoof and Body will help you to achieve that elusive balance to the Horses' Hooves and its Body.  

Hoof and Body will teach you how to Look-See and Understand where the imbalances are in the Horse and how to restore balance to the whole Horse.  

Many schools cover environment, nutrition and of course hooves but the true balance can only be achieved through balanced dentistry, body and hooves.

The three components to a full balanced horse:
1. The TMJ joint allows the mouth to open and close.
2. The full Musculoskeletal System, including all muscles and bones.
3. The horse's foundation or hooves.

The three areas we focus on:
1. Obtaining balance through weight distribution.
2. How things function.
3. What goes up must come down and other effects with gravity.

How does this all fit together?

Every muscle has a job. If one muscle or group of muscles is always contracted the opposing muscles are also affected, changing balance, function and gravity. If all three of these components are not in harmony then you can never truly attain balance.

It's all about Posture not Conformation!

Conformation is about structure—the shape or size of something.  Posture on the other hand is dictated solely by muscular balance . When people talk of conformational faults in a horse, all too often they are really referring to the horse's posture. Faults, such as standing under, camped out, cow hocked, base narrow, etc., are all created by muscular tension and NOT bone structure. With this in mind, it is easy to understand that imbalances in alignment contribute heavily to the growth patterns of the hoof. Hoof growth is created by blood flow and blood flow to the hoof is dictated by pressure. Muscular tension creates imbalance of the body; therefore the blood flow as to where in the hoof the blood flow is concentrated. Our goal is to teach you how to look, see and understand the posture of the horse, how it relates to the feet, to better understand the growth patterns and imbalances.

What is Natural Balance Hoof Care?

What is the definition of Natural?  

Natural describes something that comes from nature rather than being man-made. 

Hoof definition is the lower extremity of each leg of a horse, the part that makes contact with the ground and carries the animal's weight. It is both hard and flexible. 

Care definition is the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something, looking after and providing for the needs of 

So, what is natural hoof care?  

The understanding of what an excellent natural hoof is and to provide the proper stimulus necessary to ensure and maintain the health of the Hoof. Providing it with only that and then staying out of its way.   

The Instructors

Dino and Anthony met in 2011 and became friends immediately. They both are passionate about their work and when working on particular horses they would find themselves saying 'I wish I had Anthony/Dino in my back pocket right now'. They saw each other's strengths and began working together intermittently (based on their coastal distance) as often as they could. After seven years of working together they decided to pool their skills and open a school to produce the first hybrid hoof trimmer/body worker course to provide the equine community with the ultimate in balanced equine care.

Anthony Madaia

Anthony has been trimming since 2001 and is just as excited going to work every morning as if it was his first day. He believes you must have passion for what you do in order to be your best. After completing his initial education he did not stop there. He believes there is always something new to learn and as the years pass has became a better trimmer because of it. He loves to share all that he has learned with as many horse owners who are ready to listen. Anthony can also be found giving presentations to many diverse groups and organizations. His popular presentation is entitled Proper vs. Improper Hoof Care. It's like a timeless Tuxedo: it never goes out of style.

As a barefoot trimmer Anthony thought his tools and the proper application of them were all that he needed to restore balance to a horse's hooves. Yet there has always been a handful of horses that he just couldn’t seem to fix. That is, until he met Dino who showed him the missing piece to the puzzle. The positive changes to horse's posture and therefore its balance can be seen in one good session with Dino. Anthony knew partnering up with him to create a hybrid skilled worker was a no brainer.

Dino Fretterd

Dino is a professional Equine Bodywork Specialist. He began working with horses in 1996. Throughout the years his work has taken him across the country to various venues to educate, instruct and provide private clinics for horse owners. During this time he has met and been inspired by some amazing and knowledgeable practitioners.
Dino's vision has always been and always will be the pursuit of balance for horses. His goal is to leave the biggest footprint on this earth in regard to the concept of a truly balanced horse.

To achieve a truly balanced horse, Dino has joined forces with one of the most knowledgeable and dedicated Hoof Care Providers he has had the honor to meet.
Although Dino's passion is to work hands on in his practice with these amazing animals, he also lives to educate about the whole horse concept, including Hoof, Body, Dental balance and health. He feels his goal is to share the knowledge that horses have shared with him, alongside his partner Anthony, with individuals who truly desire to make a difference in the world of horses and help create a True Hybrid Hoof and Bodywork Professional.

Schedule and Registration

Class size is limited to only 4 students to ensure you receive a individualized education. Contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We are committed to your success.

Register Now!

Dates:2024

Week 1 Classes-
April 8th-12th 
April 22nd–26th
May 13th–17th 
June 3rd–7th 
Augus 5th-8th 

Week 2 Classes-
May 6th-10th 
June 17th–21st 
July 8th-12th
September 9th–13th 

Week 3 Classes-
July 22nd–26th 
August 18th–12th 

Week 4 Classes 
September 23rd-27th 

Prerequisite: The Hoof and Body Home Study Module, $250.
This includes all the materials you need to prepare you for The Hoof and Body hands-on Program.

Please note that registration is not complete until your full tuition fees have been received!
Pay securely online to reserve your spot.

Tuition Fee
for a Week Session
is $1,500

Courses are filled on a first come first served basis to those who have paid their tuition and fees. Course deposits and tuition fees are non-refundable. However, deposits and tuition fees are transferable to future course dates providing there is space available. In the event of a cancelled course, you will be refunded in full.

Whole Horse Day Clinic

Unlike any Horse Clinic you have ever attended.
You will learn how to Look See and Understand where the imbalances are in your horse
“If you can’t see it, you can’t fix it”

Clinicians:

Dino Fretterd - Equine Bodywork Specialist
Anthony Madaia - Barefoot Equine Podiatrist

This clinic is designed to teach you how to Look See and Understand, the what where and why of your horses imbalance. You will be introduced to the whole horse approach applied by The Hoof and Body School to achieving true balance. Many of your unanswered questions about your horse’s behavior and movement under saddle will finally be answered. The 3 components to Whole Horse balance, that being Dental Body and Hooves, will be discussed in simple and easy to understand language. You will learn how these 3 components work in unison to create a truly well balanced sound Horse.

Schedule
9am-12pm Discussions and Q&A
12pm-1pm Lunch Break
1pm-5pm Balance addressed to horses. (Limit to 2 horses each day)

Cost
$400 for you and your horse with hands on work
$100 each day to audit the clinic

————————————————————————————————————————-

Are you interested in holding a Two Day clinic at your facility or ours?

Photo Assessment consultation of your Horse is now available. The fee is $75.00. Contact us at info@hoofandbody.comfor the details.

Shop some of our favorite products.

Equine Do

The Way of the Horse

The definite purpose of this book is to share information and knowledge (based on facts and not opinion) with all those who love horses and want to understand not only how to see postural faults that compromise comfort and performance, but also have a desire to make the necessary changes to better them. I will reference some of the common problems you may be experiencing with your horses therefore allowing you to have a better understanding of where the issues may be coming from. A better understanding is a more educated horse owner, and a more educated horse owner saves money.

$24.99

The Octassager

Mulit-Purpose Massage Tool

The Octassager was created by Equine Bodywork Specialist, Dino Fretterd. The Octassager has eight individual heads that provide that “Oh, that feels good feeling” sensation for people and horses (dogs too!). It’s unique design enables you to give or receive a relaxing massage without fatique or stress on your hand or wrist. It is a wonderful massage tool for people, horses and pets! Colors available in blue, green, purple, black.

$12.95