NO HOOF-NO HORSE, no truer words were ever spoken. Empires rose and fell on the strength of horsepower and their blacksmiths, or lack thereof. Although we are not building empires, I realize this is an important part of your family, as well as your family budget. You work hard to enjoy, or to compete, or have fun with your horse. Shoeing and veterinary work are the two things that you have to almost entirely depend on others' skills. So finding an experienced, talented and dependable farrier can sometimes be a difficult task. However, it is the single most important element in keeping your horses sound, comfy, while also optimizing their skills.
As for me, in many ways, I'm still the "little girl" that fell in love with horses so many years ago. I passionately love my job. I often say, " your horse becomes my horse". From trail horses to million dollar race horses, and everything in between, it's important to me that each walks off sound and is able to perform their task (great or small) to the best of their ability while equally performing in the best of comfort.
Horseshoeing is a combination of art and science mixed with a whole lot of common "horse" sense as well as practical decision making. Education, as well as 100% effort is ongoing to the day that you retire your tools. The important thing is: I don't see it as just a job, but my passion.
In my many years of shoeing I've shod many different kinds of horses of ALL disciplines and can switch gears for each individual horses needs. For instance, Thoroughbred racing and all performance horses, Standardbred racing, all types of show horses, halter, reining, barrel, cutting, roping. Dressage and hunter-jumper, three day eventing is near and dear to my heart as I mainly rode english. I understand and shoe for the gaited horse too, through my understanding of gait and motion and shoeing to effect gait and motion. I've focused on understanding the biomechanics (motion) and functionality of all horses. I also have pursued the understanding of lameness and its application in corrective shoeing to restore or ease the condition. I've worked on many maladies and shared many gratifying successes with the horses and their owners.
I also have a background in both english (especially english dressage, hunter-jumper) and western (reining) riding, I've also galloped race horses in my early 20's , and rode for over 35 years, which I can not stress enough-this is crucial in understanding the biomechanics of horses!!! And mostly in understanding the clients/horses needs in their endeavors. Listening to clients experiences, I understand first hand what their working on and how the proper and optimum gait feels. However, I do not meddle and offer opinions or advice on riding. My task is to help your horse in accomplishing what is asked of him/her. And we go together (all three) from there.
I welcome owners to be as involved in their shoeing much as they like. I welcome questions and even criticism. This after all is your horse, I can only bring to you both, my knowledge, experience, passion, and my art.
Stephanie Colella-farrier since 1985... See More
Highlights: Hot Shoeing, Reining & Ranch Horses, Dressage Horses, Quarter Cracks, Mules, General Farrier Work, Trim To Natural Conformation Of The Horse., Trimming, Punctual And Honest, Custom Blacksmithing, Cold Shoeing, Founder, Navicular Expertise, Providing Soundness In Horses, De-Roatated Coffin Bone, Gaited Horses, Hoof Resection, Pedal Ostiaitis, Performance Horse Shoeing, Founder Treatment
