
ONE STEP AHEAD: THE MAINTENANCE TRIM
Learn to trim your barefoot horse's hooves.
A step-by-step hoof trimming course that teaches horse owners how to safely maintain their horse's hooves between professional visits, helping prevent and fix cracks, flares, imbalance and other common hoof problems.
Lifetime access | $499 AUD one-time payment
DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?
Your horse develops flares and they're just not going away
You're worried about the chips and cracks in the hooves
Professional visits are too far apart, and problems develop between appointments
You want healthier hooves but don't know who to trust
You've watched videos online, but still don't feel confident enough to give trimming a go
You're worried about taking too much off and making your horse sore
UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING
Take confident action
Hoof problems don't appear overnight. They develop gradually between trim appointments, often because small changes go unnoticed for weeks.
-
A flare starts to develop.
-
A crack begins forming.
-
The hoof becomes slightly imbalanced.
-
The heels start migrating forward.

By the time the next appointment arrives, a small issue has often become a much bigger one. That's exactly why I developed One Step Ahead.
This course teaches horse owners how to perform safe, conservative maintenance trims between professional visits, helping prevent small problems from becoming major ones while supporting stronger, healthier barefoot hooves over time.
It's also the perfect place to start if you want to learn to do a full barefoot trim (that course is coming soon!).
FROM WORRIED OWNER TO
Confident hoof carer
BEFORE
-
Afraid of making mistakes
-
Waiting for the next professional visit
-
Unsure what is normal
-
Watching hoof problems return again and again
-
Feeling dependent on somebody else
AFTER
-
Maintaining hooves confidently
-
Catching problems early
-
Understanding what you see
-
Keeping hooves balanced all year-round
-
Taking an active role in your horse's hoof health

This course is insanely good, so detailed and clear!
SCOTT, AUSTRALIA

REAL LIFE PROOF
Why maintenance trimming works
Hoof problems very rarely begin with a dramatic event. They start with tiny changes that go unnoticed for a long time.
When things like small flares, stretch white line, long toes, or under-run heels are left untouched for 6-8 weeks between professional trims, they all get worse and become bigger problems. The trims cannot keep up with the hoof growth, and your horse ends up suffering with the same hoof problems, without end in sight.
Maintenance trims interrupt the cycle. By making small corrections regularly, you help the hooves stay balanced throughout the trim cycle, which is the secret to fixing hoof problems and growing healthy hooves.
EXAMPLES
The difference a frequent trim makes
6-WEEK TRIM CYCLE:
-
Toe is long
-
Long trim cycle means improvements can't be achieved
SHORT TRIM CYCLE:
-
Toe is shorter and hoof is healthier
-
Horse was comfortable throughout the rehab


HOOF AT THE END OF A 7-WEEK TRIM CYCLE, NOT TOUCHED BETWEEN TRIMS
This hoof was not touched between professional trims. At the end of the trim cycle, the wall is very tall and therefore prone to flaring, cracking or chipping.
Frog is not getting correct ground contact due to the high walls, and hoof is more likely to be unbalanced.

HOOF AT THE END OF A 7-WEEK TRIM CYCLE, WITH OWNER DOING WEEKLY MAINTENANCE TRIMS
This horse is also on a 7-week trim cycle, but the owner does light trimming weekly between professional visits.
This hoof is much more balanced and healthier, and there's a lot less to take off.


MEET YOUR TEACHER
Minna Sarkkinen
In my 15+ years as a hoof care professional, I have trimmed, researched, observed and documented tens of thousands of hooves.
I understand how confusing the hoof care world can get, and that's why I explain everything in clear layman's terms on all the courses.
I love educating owners, and being part of their hoof care journey - so why not join us today!
15+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
HELPED THOUSANDS OF HORSES
WORLDWIDE STUDENTS
CREATOR OF HOOF SCHOOL
NO MORE GUESSING
This course teaches you the how and the why.
It's pretty easy to follow instructions, but true learning and lasting improvements can only happen if you also understand why those instructions matter.
When you learn how hoof structures develop, what healthy hoof growth looks like, and how a trim affects the various parts of the hoof, only then can you start making informed decisions about what to trim and when.
Rather than simply copying a trim, you'll understand the principles behind every hoof care decision you make.

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE COURSE
One Step Ahead builds on the Hoof Care Essentials course, and teaches you how to do a horse hoof maintenance trim.
It is a thorough information pack that will help you fix persistent hoof problems, grow stronger hooves, and keep your horse barefoot successfully.
1
HORSE AS SPECIES
4 lessons
Learn about species-appropriate horse keeping, and how it affects hoof health.
Get practical tips and guidance for improving your horse's living environment.
2
ANATOMY
10 lessons
In-depth study of the hoof anatomy and function, from the trimming point of view.
This module teaches you all you need to know about the hoof wall, heels, digital cushion, and the white line and laminae.
3
TOOLS
5 lessons
Learn about the tools that you need to carry out a maintenance trim: gloves, rasp, and hoof stand.
Gain understanding of how to choose good quality tools that make trimming easier and faster.
4
TOOL USE
8 lessons
Learn to use the rasp and hoof stand correctly and safely.
We teach you correct horse handling and body positioning when trimming the hooves.
Homework includes rasp work without a horse, to gain confidence.
5
TRIMMING TOES
6 lessons
Learn what part to rasp, and how much the toes should be trimmed and why.
Detailed videos show the correct technique when trimming the toes.
Learn to trim the toes with and without a hoof stand, and observe real students learning to trim.
6
TRIMMING WALLS
6 lessons
Learn what part to rasp, and how much the walls should be trimmed and why.
Detailed videos show the correct technique when rasping the walls.
Learn to rasp the hoof walls with and without a hoof stand, and observe real students learning to trim.
7
TRIMMING HEELS
7 lessons
Learn what part to rasp, and how much the toes should be trimmed and why.
Detailed videos show the correct technique when trimming the toes.
Learn to trim the heels with and without a hoof stand, and observe real students learning to trim.
8
TRIM FINISH
5 lessons
Learn how to finish a maintenance trim, to get a nice end result that lasts until the next trim.
Understand the difference between a maintenance trim finish, and a full trim finish.
9
RECAP & SUMMARY
2 lessons
Summary of everything you've learnt on the course.
Suggestions for next steps, and a feedback questionnaire.
FLEXIBLE LEARNING
Study at your own pace, from anywhere.
-
Content is available on computers, tablets and mobile phones.
-
Modern technology with a dedicated mobile app that makes learning easy.
-
Course is structured in a logical way to enhance learning.
-
Mark lessons as complete, so you can always pick up from where you left.








