Bio

b.  1947, California

career.  Author, advocate, practitioner . . .

spouse.  Kimberly Ann

My professional career as hoof care practitioner began in the mid-1970s. This was following a stint in the U.S. Army (1968-1970) and a brief flirt with college as a chemistry major (Chemical Technology degree from Merritt College in 1972). I was hired by Cutter Laboratories the year I graduated, and worked exactly one night shift in their Emeryville, CA laboratory (Plasma Technology), then quit ("This is not for me."). A local friend had recently finished the Porterville Horseshoeing School, and introduced me to his work -- and horses. My full attention went immediately to the latter, and, after several years of owning and getting to know them, I embarked on a shoeing career. That ended in the early 1980s, following my encounter with wild horses in Nevada. With that came the realization that shoeing causes harm and that going "barefoot" is the superior and humane way to go. I then became America's first "natural hoof care practitioner". Eventually, I wrote my first book about my wild horse experiences and natural hoof care, The Natural Horse: Lessons From The Wild (published in 1992). More books, articles, speaking engagements, and clinics followed. In 2002, nearly 30 years after starting my career with horses, and with the help of others, the AANHCP was borne to further the important work of humane, natural care based on the wild horse model.


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