<![CDATA[Barefoot Hoof Trimming - Meet the Horses]]>

<![CDATA[Barefoot Hoof Trimming - Meet the Horses]]>Wed, 31 Dec 2025 20:39:30 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Meet Cookie, Moose, Gracie, Magic, and Smokey ....]]>Mon, 06 Jun 2022 21:26:47 GMThttps://www.barefoothoofs.com/meet-the-horses/meet-cookie-moose-gracie-and-magic
This herd of minis lives with their young humans in West Virginia - here is Zoe to tell us about them:

This is Cookie! Cookie is 15 years old, and she is a mare. Cookie came to us pregnant, unbeknownst to us! A surprise, but such a blessing! He (Moose) is now a part of the family as well. I started showing Cookie about 4 years ago, and boy has she come a long way! I remember when she wouldn't even walk over a pole for me; now she'll do just about anything I ask of her! She has turned into the perfect show horse, and is truly my best friend. We're kind of growing up together!

This is Moose! Our surprise mini, who is 8 years old. He was our freebie blessing. Moose is the sweetest boy and is like a giant teddy bear. Moose is owned and shown by Willow who is a six year old!

Magic is our tiniest mini, but he lacks nothing in the personality department. He has so much spunk, and is such a love bug! This past year was his first year in the show ring with me, and he did so well in such the short time I've worked with him! We're very excited to see what next show season brings for him!

Gracie came to us along with her sister Cookie, as companions. Gracie is like the grumpy grandma of our little herd! She's the first to let everyone know she likes to be in control, haha!

Smokey is our big guy, and he loves leading kids around on his back much more then practicing for shows, so that's his job now! Willow and him totter around the arena often while I (big sis) practice with the others to prepare for next show season!

]]><![CDATA[Meet Axel ....]]>Fri, 23 Jul 2021 01:19:16 GMThttps://www.barefoothoofs.com/meet-the-horses/meet-axel

Axel is a four-year old miniature donkey who lives with his human near Waynesboro, PA. Axel is a very friendly little guy who doesn't need to wear a halter or rope while having his hoofs trimmed. He is currently an only Donkey, but his human is looking for another donkey to be his buddy. Axel brays loudly when someone comes up the driveway and when he wants food or attention. It's always a treat to see Axel!

]]><![CDATA[Meet Stoney]]>Mon, 10 Aug 2020 19:19:37 GMThttps://www.barefoothoofs.com/meet-the-horses/meet-stoneyMeet Stoney who never complains about giving riding lessons to his hoof trimmer ...

Meet Stoney, the most awesome lesson pony. Stoney turned 20 this year. He has been teaching riders of all ages for the last 12 years. Although he has been barefoot his whole life, he has always had the tendency to be a little tender following a trim. What I really appreciate about June is how she really takes the individual horse into consideration as she works. She is always willing to listen to both the horse and his owner in making adjustments to the needs of the particular horse as well as any changes that may come up do to shifting environmental conditions due to the seasons and other unforeseen factors that may affect the horse's comfort.

As a matter of interest, both June and I enjoy Hempfling's What Horses Reveal. Stoney is the Modest One in Hempfling's archetypal approach.

]]><![CDATA[Meet Mirage]]>Mon, 10 Aug 2020 19:06:16 GMThttps://www.barefoothoofs.com/meet-the-horses/meet-mirageMeet Mirage, who along with his human counterpart, Amy, pursues a career giving riding and dressage lessons in the Boonsboro, MD area ...

Meet Mirage, a 26 year-old 17.2 hand Holsteiner. Mirage, "The Minister" in Hempfling's archetypes, has spent the last half a dozen years ministering to his new person in a variety of ways while becoming best friends with his pony, Stoney. Mirage excels at flying changes and canter pirouettes. Anyone who has the opportunity to experience his canter cannot help but smile.

]]><![CDATA[Meet Misty ....]]>Fri, 24 Jul 2020 18:40:27 GMThttps://www.barefoothoofs.com/meet-the-horses/meet-misty

Misty is a 9-year-old miniature horse. Misty has been a family pet since she was only a few months old. Misty has grown up and enjoyed the company of three other miniature horses that we own. My husband and I have four children, and nine years ago we surprised them one Christmas with buying them each a baby miniature horse. Misty has given our family, especially our four girls, many smiles and laughs and has been a huge part of our children's life. Misty loves to have snuggles and hugs, as well as getting brushed and groomed.

Misty enjoying her pasture near Martinsburg, WV.

A few years ago I needed to find a different farrier for the horses and found June, and she has been amazing with trimming our horses' hooves. June is very patient and genuinely cares about our horses and their well-being and hoof health. June is a very knowledgeable and highly trained farrier. As the owner of four miniature horses, I find peace in knowing that if I have a concern about one of my horses' hooves, I can reach out to June at any time to ask questions or make an appointment with her.

]]><![CDATA[Meet Eli]]>Thu, 05 Sep 2019 22:07:47 GMThttps://www.barefoothoofs.com/meet-the-horses/meet-eli
Eli is a 19 yr old draft cross gelding with one blue eye and a heart of gold.

He came to C6 Stables out of a necessity for a new home due to a family catastrophe that eliminated the ability to keep him.

When I first met him they day I picked him up, I immediately knew he was special. His calm demeanor and respectful curiosity intrigued me.

He loaded like a dream and rode quietly to our stable. Once in his new surroundings, he acclimated quickly and within days became the barn favorite. He has so many little harmless quirks like soaking his hay in his water bucket before eating and curling his upper lip to entice a treat from passers by.

We had an adoption event at Tractor Supply in Pine Grove that we were invited to attend. We brought two adoptable mini horses and....Eli. Eli was and is not up for adoption but he has proven himself trustworthy around commotion and has never exhibited any dangerous or unpredictable behavior. This has made him our Equine Spokesperson for any and all such events. It was a good thing too as there were many screaming and running children at this event as well as good intention-ed folks with rowdy dogs that wanted to say hi to the big horse... Where most other horses we have would have spooked, Eli was steadfast and seemed to enjoy all the attention.

When it was time to go, we thought it would be entertaining to take Eli into the store. They say you can bring your pets as long as they are leashed...Well, I had a lead rope.

With the encouragement from management, I lead Eli into Tractor Supply, ducking his huge head to get in, Eli was soon shopping. His curiosity was amazing. He never stepped wrong or knocked anything over. He investigated everything including tipping buckets to make sure no grain was held.

In the end, we found him a salt block and checked out (see photo). He is simply amazing and we are blessed to be his family.

As I stated before, Eli is at his forever home. I have promised him a place to spend the rest of his years in peace and with love. The only new things he will encounter are the scenery we explore together and some new horse-faces at the stable.

Joe "Cowboy 6" Cotterino
C6 Stables
Where a horse can be a horse

]]><![CDATA[Meet Merlin]]>Wed, 12 Sep 2018 23:36:55 GMThttps://www.barefoothoofs.com/meet-the-horses/meet-merlin

Meet Merlin, aka Merlin's Magic Moon, a 17 year old black and white paint pony. Merlin was adopted by the Angotti family from Crosswinds Equine Rescue (here's his page http://www.cwer.org/merlin.html ) near Champaign, Illinois in 2004 for his little girl, Jynna.

Due to life and all it's crazy circumstances, Merlin has yet to fulfill his show pony destiny. But he is never the less a beloved member of the family, giving us frustration and laughter as only a pony is able. Merlin was adopted to be his mom's Jynna's first horse, and even though the riding part hasn't gone as planned, he is the best therapy a young girl with a rough life could ever have. Seeing Merlin and Jynna

together is watching pure joy, you can literally see the tension and stress leave her body as she hugs him. Anyone who doesn't believe in therapeutic horsemanship only need spend five minutes with this adorable pair to understand the connection between a human and their horse.

We will continue to try and find him a job and deal with his antics because it's all worth it to see her smile. And because he is the best little brother in the world to Trooper. They have lost their siblings and now are attached like glue. Merlin is an amazing protector of his old arthritic brother, giving his mom one less thing to worry about.

Merlin is a lot like other ponies - stubborn, a troublemaker, and moody, but with the people (and horse) he deems worthy he is wonderfully sweet, caring, and seems to be able to see into your soul and ease your pain. But above it all Merlin will forever be our goofy, charming, beautiful boy.

Merlin and Geoffrey

]]><![CDATA[Meet Trooper.]]>Thu, 06 Sep 2018 11:23:41 GMThttps://www.barefoothoofs.com/meet-the-horses/meet-trooper
Meet Trooper, aka Mills Dusty Smoke, a 29 year old registered buckskin quarter horse, a retired Wilson College horse and the epitome of the word survivor. Trooper was involved in a horrible incident nearly 20 years ago in which he was stabbed by a man on drugs while out in his pasture one night at Wilson. He sadly was stabbed along his withers and into his shoulder blade, ruining his career as a school horse and trail horse and causing him a lifetime of pain.

Trooper was adopted by his mom, Kathleen Angotti, as a companion horse 15 years ago, and he quickly became a part of the whole family. Over the years, Troop's arthritis developed and he began to adjust his weight to accommodate, which in turn effected the way his hooves grew. Soon Trooper had ballerina toes in both hind legs and was often so cripplingly sore he didn't want to leave his stall. Thoughts of letting Trooper move on over the rainbow bridge were ever present - then came June.

June has been working with Trooper for around 7 years now, slowly figuring out ways to even get him to pick up his feet, and then helping with those ballerina toes. She has gotten him through abscesses and thrush, knows when to push him and when to let him be, and most importantly truly cares for him. And while he is still sore and we don't always get all four hooves done every visit, he has improved so much that he can actually do a little hop canter when he's in a good mood. He is back to being Trooper, a special soul - only some people understand his wonderful combination of sweet and sour, but nevertheless a Trooper in every sense of the word.

]]><![CDATA[Meet Jazira]]>Thu, 19 Apr 2018 01:29:48 GMThttps://www.barefoothoofs.com/meet-the-horses/meet-jazeera
Meet Jazira, who just can't even ....

Jazira is a yearling Paso filly, younger half-sister to Lola, whom we have already met. Jazira's owners, Kat and Thierry, tried to persuade her to stand up to get her feet trimmed, but she said, "No indeed, now is a very good time for a nap in the sun, thank you, and y'all can just figure it out." So we did.

After we were done, she closed her eyes for "just another five minutes, please," and then got up.

Jazira is a lovely young lady - a great beauty with a sweet temperament.

]]><![CDATA[Meet Willow]]>Wed, 14 Feb 2018 02:47:09 GMThttps://www.barefoothoofs.com/meet-the-horses/meet-willow
Samantha's Willow, who came back from the brink ....

Here is WILLOW....she came to us as one of the WORST CASES of ABUSE AND NEGLECT....She was 400-500 lbs UNDER WEIGHT , HORRIBLE FEET , CRIPPLED and BLIND....With ROUND THE CLOCK VET CARE and June's EXPERTISE and TLC....she has THRIVED and is a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT HORSE 4 YEARS LATER !!! JUNE is the "HORSE WHISPERER"

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