ABOUT US
WHO IS HARMONY HOOFCARE?
Wyatt and Anna reside in Hilton, NY with their wonderful shire gelding, Eli, and two cats, Ozzy and June.
ANNA CONJERTI
Anna attended Meredith Manor International Equestrian Centre and completed an Equine Science Master with Farrier Emphasis. This 36 week course teaches students to develop their eye to the movement and biomechanics of the horse. There are over a 100 horses at the school, all with different conformations, deviations, and pathologies. Being a riding and training school as well, Meredith Manor gives a unique advantage. Farrier - rider - trainer communication is key in the success of the horse.
Anna truly enjoys everyday being a farrier, and always looks forward to the next. Her favorite saying from instructor Ron Meredith is "horses are very honest animals, and it is our job to listen to them". Learning to watch their behavior and body language to "hear" what they're telling you is incredible. Watching horses starting point whether it be temperament, overall comfortability, ability to do their job, etc. and seeing how it all evolves is the most rewarding part of our job. With proper evaluation and modifications, it is a joy to see horses succeed in their career.
WYATT FLINT
Wyatt grew up with horses from a young age and always wanted to be a farrier. He attended Meredith Manor International Equestrian Center and completed a Riding Master. This was where he started his career with horses and hoof care. He took 12 weeks of farrier courses during his time there and fell in love with both horseshoeing, and the art of dressage. Wyatt rode multiple horses a day and started many young ones under saddle. The versatility he acquired from riding up to Prix St George level dressage, along with farrier work, gives Wyatt a considerable understanding and feel for how horses perform.
After finishing at Meredith Manor, Wyatt worked with many professionals in riding and training. He decided he wanted to continue his career path of shoeing horses, and attended Doug Butler's Professional Farrier School. This 12 week course was an incredibly in depth and valuable experience. They are well known for their invaluable anatomy lessons, and extensive experience in the horseshoeing industry.
Wyatt continues his love of horses through riding, training, and shoeing. He is incredibly talented in his ability to read their behavior. Wyatt values the teaching style of Ron Meredith's "heeding" which is defined as: methodically applied directional pressure that creates a shape the horse can feel and understand. It is a style of training that can be carried on to every aspect of horses while maintaining rhythm and relaxation.
EDUCATION
Wyatt and Anna continue to strive for more. There is always something to learn and they value their continuing education. As members of the IAPF and AFA, Anna and Wyatt work toward attending a variety of clinics and obtaining CE credits. With many mentors from the beginning to current, there will never be a time where you "know it all". Horses are ever changing, and it is a farrier's responsibility to continue to learn and expand their knowledge.
BALANCE
Balance can mean many things when it comes to an equine athlete. Overall conformation plays a large role in the balance of the horse. We look for balance in the muscling of the horse, angles of the hooves, limb conformation, coronary bands, and soft tissue supporting structures. By only looking at the hoof, you are doing a disservice to the horse. It is important to evaluate each limb under load, as well as even weight bearing in all limbs. Horses don't often present lameness standing still, so we are always proactive in evaluating each limb when it is under the stress of loading.
PERSONALIZED APPROACH
Each horse is different. Each horse is different every time you see them. Each horse is different each day. Every time we trim or shoe a horse, we are evaluating it as if it were our first time seeing them. If we were to continue to trim and shoe for the state of the horse six months ago, we would be missing out on valuable information. We can remember the history of a horse and track any changes, but any change in gait results in changes in stress. By evaluating the conformation of a horse every 4 weeks, we are able to trim/shoe accordingly to keep them in balance both statically and in motion.