Hello All:

I don't write often, but would love to obtain your thoughts and advice.
In recent months a re-occurring elbow injury (tendonitis) is making
trimming difficult for me, especially with the drought my girls have
very hard hooves. I typically prefer using a rasp only, but the hard
hooves combined with an aching elbow have made me start using my 12 inch
GE nippers more. However, even using the nippers is painful and hard for
me. I have enlisted my husband's help at times to trim where I tell him
while I hold the hoof, but he is not patient to do this for long (and I
have 5 horses). I try to trim on different days and use lots of
ibuprofen and ice on the elbow in-between but I'd really like to find
easier to use tools also. I've been searching the web today for nippers
with compound leverage to make the nippers easier to use. Do you of you
have experience or thoughts about the BudNippers or Barracuda Nippers?
The BudNippers can be found at http://www.budnippers.com/
The Barracuda Nippers can be found at http://www.hooftrimmer.org/index.html

I use Save Edge Rasps and do need to order some new rasps soon. I have
my barefoot trimmer come out about once a year to check behind my trims,
or more often if I'm having a problem hoof; but I'd really like to be
able to continue trimming myself if I can make the work easier on my elbow.

Thanks ahead of time for your thoughts?

Sharon Settles
Oxford, NC