Creating Real Change In The Hoof Care Industry

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗸𝗲𝘆𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲—𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻—𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲.

Nearly twenty years ago, I stepped into an industry dominated by men as a fresh apprentice. My apprenticeship was with a kind hearted mentor who loved donkeys. So much of what I do now is a reflection of that first year. The apprenticeship wrapped up and I headed to horseshoeing school, and that is when things changed. From the start, I sensed an unease about how things were done—the methods, the attitudes, the treatment of animals. It felt wrong. But, as a newcomer eager to learn, I kept my head down and pushed forward.

𝗜𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴, 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵, 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲.

My early introduction to donkeys, with the support a mentor who loved them, was such a blessing, and what I like to call one of my divine assignments. ( I have had many, and I hope to share them in other stories) It became painfully clear that donkeys were the underdogs: misunderstood, mistreated, and so underserved. Championing their cause became my mission. But that choice came with ridicule and harsh judgment. My softer, gentler approach—treating donkeys with kindness and respect, moving away from sedation and heavy restraints—was met with mockery, and relentless doubt. I was told I was naive, and foolish.

Yet, I blazed ahead. Because that is what I do! I'm a rebel at heart - so it makes sense that my perseverance became my greatest strength. Fueled by a deep love for donkeys and a desire for real change. I continued to serve them, while sharing my success stories and the faces of the donkeys who were better off because they met me.

Fast forward to 2020, when I launched the DIY Donkey Hoof Trimming Course—now a cornerstone of the Donkey Hooves & Health Academy. The idea was labeled “irresponsible.” Skeptics said there was no way I could empower owners to care for their own donkeys, especially from an online course. But I didn’t stop. I believed that donkeys deserved better—and so did their caregivers.

𝙏𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮, 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙛 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧, 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚.

Hundreds of donkey owners have joined my course, transforming their relationships with their donkeys and ensuring they get the hoof care they deserve.

𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚, 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣-𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚—𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡.

This Academy isn’t just my work; it’s the next chapter of my life’s mission. I’ve bucked tradition and chosen a path rooted in respect, love, and advocacy for donkeys everywhere. If my voice resonates, if you believe in this mission, then know that this is just the beginning.

If  you find yourself inspired and wanting to create real change in your donkey’s care—building trust, confidence, and a deep, meaningful connection—I invite you to join us in the Donkey Hooves & Health Academy. Together, we’re transforming how donkeys are cared for, giving owners the skills, knowledge, and support to make a lasting difference. Be part of a compassionate movement where donkeys and their caregivers thrive, side by side.

As a special thank you for reading this article, I’m offering 60% off the All Access Pass to the Donkey Hooves & Health Academy.  [Tap here for One-Time-Payment] or [Here for a 6-Month-Pay-Plan] to unlock this exclusive offer and take the next step toward transforming your donkey’s hooves and health care. 🎉