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About Cheryl...
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Cheryl McNamee-Sutor
Wholistic Hoof Care Specialist
Mentor Hoof Groom
Clinician/Instructor
Cheryl & Dynamo
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Those who know me would definitely describe me as a "seeker". I'm constantly seeking information, new and old. I'm fascinated by anything that is true, wise, compassionate, and/or just plain common sense. In everything I do, from raising a child to training horses to playing music, the questions "Why?" and "How?" are always there. It is this "seeking" that led me into a career with horses.
I began as a counselor at a summer riding camp and have gained experience in many areas from teaching riding lessons to training horses, natural/wholistic hoof trimming, to instructing classes and clinics on hoofcare. Most of my past and present has been centered around caring for horses compassionately, putting their best interests at heart.
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In 1997, I became involved in computers, programming, and website design. I began sharing my horse training experiences with others through the internet because I wanted to be able to offer training advice to others that could not afford expensive trainers. It all started with only an article or two on ground training, and ended up growing much larger. (see Equusite.com)
My three musketeers... Freedom (Percheron), Noble (Welsh Pony), and Dynamo (QH/TB)
Throughout the years I was always curious about why some horses wore shoes and others didn't. There were hoof-related diseases everywhere... in every barn or stable I encountered. Horse owners were terrified of the words "founder" or "laminitis" or "navicular disease". Why were so many horses plagued with these painful hoof conditions while my own horses were able to stay barefoot and sound? Was I just lucky? Did they just have "good blood"? Would my horses eventually end up with the same hoof diseases? And so my journey began...
I soon learned (little did I know!) that my own horses had some minor hoof problems, imbalances and dysfunction while I learned trimming techniques from my farrier at the time. However, the problems continued, so I began to look elsewhere for answers. I began studying the books and videos of various well-known hoof care lecturers and teachers who promoted the idea of keeping horses barefoot, and I eventually attended some of their clinics and workshops. These teachers included, but were not limited to: Martha Olivo, Gretchen Fathauer, Jaime Jackson, Dr. Hiltrud Strasser, Bergy, KC LaPierre, Dr. Chris Pollit, Paul Chapman, Pete Ramey, and Gene Ovnicek. The answers to my questions came flooding in.
Some of you may be wondering the same questions I asked long ago... Are you just lucky to have a sound horse? Or, were his "bad" feet a result of genetics? No. Good feet are a direct result of proper living conditions, diet, sufficient amount of movement, proper terrain and physiologically correct hoof trimming. It's all about education and proper care.
"The hooves are formed between
the weight of the horse
and the ground."
~ Martha Olivo
Several clinics and a certification course later, every problem I had previously seen in my horses' hooves quickly disappeared upon applying natural hoof trimming techniques. Contracted heels widened, hoof/pastern/shoulder angles evened out, cracking and chipping completely stopped, and my horse's gaits and movement became very comfortable to ride.
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I continued studying and working as a wholistic hoof care specialist for nearly 7 years. It is at this point in my life that I find my greatest rewards in sharing the information and experiences I've gained with other horse owners, hoof care students, and horse enthusiasts. Lameness ends the working life of over 80% of domesticated horses, and I've been more than grateful to have played a part in lowering this statistic.
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Many traditional farriers and shoers are offended when horse owners ask questions, as if the horse owner is challenging their knowledge. So, a majority of the horse-owning population has learned that you just don't ask questions. What a shame! I believe that a horse owner should not only ask questions, but should be involved 100% in every hoof care decision that is made for their horse. Horse owners should be able to understand how a hoof functions and how to spot potential problems. And, most importantly, they should be able to communicate with their farriers about the past, present and future condition of their horse's hooves, what potential problems are, and what is being done to reverse any damage and/or deformation that has taken place as a result of past care (or lack of).
I try to keep an open mind and continue to study the methods of other hoof care clinicians and experts to better myself and the services that I offer. I love the work I do, and it has been very rewarding to help horses to become as sound and healthy as possible by using and teaching techniques that offer the greatest success at rehabilitation, maintenance, and performance.
Although I am no longer taking regular clients for rehabilitation or maintenance trimming, I have personally trained a few hoof care practitioners (see our About Us page) who can help you with regular, maintenance trimming. I'm also continuing to train new practitioners through demonstrations, workshops and classes. And, just as importantly, I'm continuing to offer several much-needed services that cater to the horse owner including consultations (for a second opinion and/or advice and recommendations) and hoof documentation reports (for annual documenting of hooves, which allows for much better recognition, prevention and treatment of potential problems before they turn into hoof disease and lameness).
For the year of 2007, I'm focusing on teaching hoof care clinics, documentations of hoof health, and will be continuing to write a book series, including workbooks, on hoof care for horse owners and also on wholistic hoof trimming for hoof care practitioners.
Every day, I thank The Universe for allowing me to take part and witness miracles of healing in the horses I encounter.
.... and I give gratitude and thanks for all the other miracles in my life, too! :)
ABOVE: My son, Tyler and our Shepherd, Sammy, taking a nap.
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