Horses stole my heart when I was two years old. They have never given it back and I hope they never do. My husband and I spontaneously moved to northeast Oklahoma in May 2021, following a farrier's clinic I attended in North Platte, NE in January 2020. I flew to North Platte with the hopes of improving my trimming skills for our horses. I had no idea I would meet my mentor and discover a true passion for hoof care. I have been trimming and shoeing for the public ever since, always with the desire to do better, learn more, and make a difference. After several visits to my mentor's ranch and riding along shoeing, he convinced me to move to OK, run my shoeing business there, intern under him, and attend school to acquire my DVM. The more feet I can touch, the more knowledge I will gain before graduation. When I am not soaking in classes, I am either shoeing for my clients or assisting at the local veterinary clinic, where I have the privilege of trimming cattle and resecting claws where needed, in addition to the many other hats I get to wear there. My husband and I also care for the many animals on our farm: dogs, cats, goats, chickens and horses. I currently attend Tulsa Community College, completing my pre-requisites for Veterinary Medicine prior to transferring to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. While I love all animals, I aspire to specialize in Equine Podiatry, a surgeon's field. As an Equine Podiatrist, I will conduct lower-limb surgeries, including tenotomies, keratoma removal, navicular treatment, and so on. I will also have the opportunity for hoof reconstruction and major corrective shoeing for acute or chronic lamenesses. My dream is to master my craft, so I can assist and fund research studies to discover less invasive and/or more permanent solutions to today's equine ailments. Technology has already come so far, but more solutions lie in wait of discovery. Perhaps someday we will see replacement parts for hooves, as there are replacement knees for humans. Beyond that, I wish to conduct symposiums across the nation, educating everyone in the industry on successful equine hoof care, where less is more except when more is absolutely necessary. This knowledge should be spread from the veterinarian to the farrier, trainer, owner, nutritionist, and back. Knowledge should never be protected by one group or another, but shared. The more I learn, the more individuals I reach, the less we'll see equine careers prematurely ended and, ultimately, fewer premature euthanasias related to hoof lameness. My vision is to make a difference for the horse worldwide, through as many people as possible.

"No hoof, no horse." My book has changed plots several times, though the overall storyline remains consistent - life revolving around horses. When I turned nine, I was certain I would grow into a renowned colt starter and troubled horse rehabilitator. Someone who hosted clinics and taught across the nation, if not the globe. Following many extensive conversations with my riding instructor during my junior year of high school, I realized not only were horses expensive, but they took years to generate enough profit to survive. Staying true to my end goal, I developed an idea for the interim - a way to build a nest egg that could ease me through the initial period of horse training, but would also benefit my business post-launch. At the time, diesel technicians supposedly made $50+/hr. With cashflow like that, I could fund my business and avoid any future labor bills for vehicle or farm equipment repairs by performing it myself, aiding me two-fold, while enjoying my work. After graduating high school as Valedictorian, with honors and as a member of Phi Theta Kappa, through my running start college courses, I moved to Laramie, WY to complete my Associate's Degree in Applied Diesel Technology with Management. I delivered our class commencement speech, performed the National Anthem, and graduated second in my class of 500, with a 4.0, honors and as a member of the National Technical Honor Society. Following graduation, I temporarily moved back to WA to continue my training with my riding instructor. Six months later, I relocated to Colorado to work for Ditch Witch of the Rockies as an entry-level diesel technician, making $14/hr. What a surprise when I entered reality to find that the high-paying, entry-level positions paid $22.50/hr and were not considered a "safe" work environment for a female. After seven months, I was promoted to Assistant Service/Rental Manager. During my three years in the position, I grew our rental department in size, use and reputation, while also increasing our service clientele and customer satisfaction. My husband and I then moved back to WA, to be with our horses and to finally start my business. I worked part-time at Ditch Witch West as the Product Support Department Coordinator and ran my training business in my spare time. In an attempt to grow my working knowledge of hooves for my horses, since our beloved farrier had passed unexpectedly, I attended a week-long farrier's clinic in North Platte, NE in January of 2020. There, I met Tommy Kilgore, a man I admire, appreciate, and aspire to one day be as good as. He is an incredible teacher, hard worker, and caring friend. His love of the horse is felt by every equine he encounters and seen by any observant individual lucky enough to witness it. Tommy has helped thousands of horses, from the backyard ornament to the Futurity Champion of the World, each with the same degree of detail. Through Tommy, I discovered an innate ability to read hooves, gait, and overall musculoskeletal structure and discrepancies. He has encouraged me and nurtured a desire to become an Equine Podiatrist. I am now attending Tulsa Community College in Oklahoma, where my husband and I spontaneously moved to, to complete my pre-requisites for Veterinary Medicine. Once I obtain my DVM, I can intern for Equine Podiatry, eventually conducting lower limb surgeries, hoof reconstructions and major corrective shoeing. My dream is to master my craft, fund and assist hoof research studies, and deliver symposiums across the nation. I dream to make a difference for all horses.

Eyes are the window to our soul. Horses are the mirror to that soul. They tell on every strength, every weakness, every sorrow and every joy. A horse feels for you, feels of you, and if you feel back, you are forever changed. Keep them and you'll continue evolving, blooming, improving. A horse will try your patience, yet teach you patience. You'll learn empathy, responsibility, compassion, leadership, teamwork, reflection, and love. They are as honest as honesty comes and some days you may not like what you see. Those are the days for personal growth, a commitment to be better tomorrow. Horses are the ultimate measures of our emotional well-being and self-confidence. They know your intention before you do. Approach with anger, resentment or harm and you are likely to endure a gut shot. It will come as a hoof to your abdomen or your wrongful treatment on replay, torturing your mind. Either way, you'll learn to keep your emotions in check. Treat them with dignity, respect and compassion and they will fill your heart with sun rays, moon beams and a sprinkle of stardust. Horses have touched my heart since birth. I have fallen down, climbed back up, gotten mad, burst with joy, lost my patience, gained all the patience, and known love. I learned early about hard work and the rewards that accompany real effort. I have hugged my horse in appreciation and my horse has hugged me in comfort, easing my fears and my tears with a gentle tuck of his chin against my back. We have spent many hours under saddle, practicing flatwork, jumping, unity, communication, whether English or Western. We have learned a lot together through the years. Our greatest fun, happens in the field. No saddle. No bridle. Just horse and rider and the feeling of freedom. These days, with the sun setting before us and the frogs singing all around us, our hearts fill with a lifetime of happiness. Horsemanship is not just a hobby. It is a way of life.

"Enjoy the process." ~Buck Brannaman At the time, I wasn't certain how it would even be possible. We grow up thinking everything is about the destination: the waterfall at the end of the hike, graduating, being promoted, getting married, having kids, dieing. What about the tree gnarled from wind and fire, with the talkative magpie excitedly telling you what's around the bend? What about the teachers, classmates, games, friendships, talent shows, and all of your efforts along the way? Sure, you started a horse from halter to show ring.... but how many beautiful lessons did you learn along the way, with smiles, tears, muddy face, torn jeans and endless hugs from your parents, siblings and husband, that meant so much more than the blue ribbon on your wall? Though I continually despise making mistakes, I am beginning to accept them as a necessary part of the process, and, almost, appreciate each one. Learning is part of growing, and really, what fun would life be if we all already knew how to do everything we were meant to do? Discovery is at least half the fun. Perseverance toward that which we are destined for, but have not yet mastered, is what sets people apart from each other. The greatest accomplishments are all the steps and stumbles along the way, all the people and animals we share the adventure with, all those who have touched us or who we have, in turn, touched. It's about the adventure, not the ending. "Enjoy the process." ~Buck Brannaman

As Matthew McConaughey wisely announced to the University of Houston's class of 2015: "Happiness is an emotional response to an outcome.....it is result reliant." That being acknowledged, I am happy when I successfully read a horse's hoof or my dog learns a new command. I am happy when my husband recognizes and appreciates all the chores I accomplished or when my mother loves a gift I gave. An A grade, a delicious meal, an attaboy make me feel happy. The happiness continues, but in the same fashion, is met with frustration and disappointment when the results are not as I desire or expect. Joy on the other hand... Joy is in every moonset out my West window or sunrise from the East. It is the sound of cicadas, the flash of a lightning bolt and the morning bird songs. My heart beams with joy when I watch our dogs zoom across the yard, scattering hundreds of colorful butterflies and bees, while chickens wiggle their fluffy butts, goats rear in play, and our horses swish the flies away. It is gazing upon the vast starlit sky and being surrounded by people I love. As Mr. McConaughey also observed, "It"s a constant. Joy is the feeling we have from doing what we are fashioned to do, no matter the outcome." Joy doesn't require approval from others. Joy is.

They floated and danced across the arena, gliding as smoothly as a Spanish dancer on the ocean currents. The keenest eyes couldn't catch the subtle cues. The coldest hearts couldn't help but glow. My first of many times witnessing the finesse between Buck Brannaman and his horses. In that one ride, I learned just how badly I wanted more patience, more self-discipline, more emotional control. From that moment on, I would look within to find a better person, with greater understanding and compassion for the way I approached a horse. Little did I know that all of the emotional conditioning I practiced for my horses, would carry over into every aspect of my life. I found more understanding for family, friends, strangers, and children. I discovered a whole new side of myself - a clearer communicator, an intent listener, a patient teacher. Buck's beautiful dance with his horse, Guapo, led me to be braver, willing to ask tough questions, willing to change myself. I have since made him, myself, and, more importantly, my horses, proud of who I've become as a horsewoman, and as a person, in 5 short years. I hear the music. I feel the rhythm. I'll keep dancing, for my horse and my soul.

I am an enthusiastic, driven, young woman, with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. I began my journey in the trades, as a diesel technician. My plan was to nurture a nest egg to fund future entrepreneurial endeavors. Shortly thereafter, my title morphed into managerial positions, where I received many opportunities to motivate, and learn about, different personalities. This path also allowed education in all facets of business, communication and customer service. After 9 years in the industry, I pressed on to my real dream - opening my own colt starting business, where I trained colts and troubled horses. At this time, I already started my own horses. I had also trimmed their hooves for 4 years on my own, as our beloved farrier had unexpectedly died. Little did I know that my desire to do best by all horses, would lead me to a different book entirely... At a week long clinic in North Platte, NE, I trained under an incredible horseshoer, eagerly learning external markers, angles, and anatomy, that told me what the internal structures needed me to correct on the hooves. I discovered that doing a great job entailed observing the whole horse, as well as factors such as: What discipline is the horse used for? How does the owner/trainer ride? Is the ground soft or abrasive? Is the horse stalled or pastured? Etc. There, I discovered my knack for reading and understanding hooves, as well as all equine anatomy. Since NE, I have traveled to OK, KS, MO, IA and OR with my mentor, soaking as much information as possible. I love what I do, but I can do more. By obtaining a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, I can not only further my education of horses, but I can also share it with others. After specializing and practicing Equine Podiatry, (lower limb surgeries, hoof reconstructions, major shoeing corrections, etc), I shall help enlighten the world on other ways to care for horse's hooves. Techniques that not only heal the hoof, but heal the horse. Skills that help reduce the development of common hoof ailments in the future. I plan to publish articles, research papers, videos and books. I will travel - speaking to people along the way, answering questions, collaborating ideas. Horses aside, I also hope to develop work boots specific to my industry. Footwear technology has not caught up with the farrier. We utilize very different physical positions for our work than any other field. By studying the anatomy and alignment of those working positions, we can construct a boot to compliment and alleviate unnecessary stresses, increasing the longevity of the boot and its' wearer. While I work toward these goals, I will continue apprenticing with my mentor. The more feet I see, horses and people I meet, the greater my understanding of the complete picture. I wish to be my best self and never stop learning. My story is STEAM. The science of the horse and the human. Technology to aid in diagnoses and future research. Engineering of new shoes and tools, for the correction of horse and farrier. Art, as quality horseshoeing is as beautiful as a sculpture. Mathematics, for the internal and external markers are based entirely on angles, lines, planes, and overall, solutions.