About
Welcome to One Step Ahead: The Maintenance Trim, a practical, confidence-building course designed for horse owners who want to stay one step ahead of hoof problems, and have completed our Hoof Care Essentials course. If you want to take your horse’s hoof care to the next level by learning to do a regular maintenance trim, this course is for you. You’ll learn how to maintain your horse’s hooves between professional visits so they stay balanced, healthy and comfortable throughout the trim cycle. The step-by-step lessons consist of clear explanations, photos and videos, teaching you how to keep the toes backed up, the heels in the right place and the hoof wall bevelled to maintain correct shape and function. You’ll also deepen your understanding of how anatomy, movement and environment all tie into soundness. You’ll discover how to use trimming tools safely and effectively, how to read what your horse’s hooves are telling you, and how to make small, regular maintenance trims that promote overall hoof health. Each module builds on the last, taking you from species-appropriate management to anatomy and function, and finally into trimming techniques for each part of the hoof. By the end of this course, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to carry out a weekly maintenance trim on your own horse’s hooves. You’ll also be well prepared for the next step, The Full Barefoot Trim course. (coming in 2026), where you’ll learn how to perform a complete barefoot trim independently. This is where real progress begins: short, regular trims, deep understanding, and a sounder, happier horse.
You can also join this program via the mobile app. Go to the app