“We’ve been flooded with questions about the obvious “riff” between Jaime Jackson and me. I thought I could just stay quiet about it; silently waiting for it to all go away. It’s obvious now that this is impossible; plus it is not fair to all the good people stuck in between.

First, let me say I could never thank him enough for his insight. His studies in wild horse country, his intellectual ability to see “outside the box”, interpreting the wondrous things he saw..... It has reshaped how the world will look at hooves forever. I could never thank him enough for what he did for me and what his teachings have continually done for horses.

The problems between us came about over the trimming of domestic hooves that haven't yet had the opportunity to develop the internal structures of the feral horse…. Mostly it was my inability to accept, use or teach the words “always” and “never” and for standing up hard for what I believe in. Perhaps too hard. For my side of the story, please read the article, “One Hoof for All Seasons?” at http://hoofrehab.com/seasons.htm . For the most part, after all the chips fell, the article is a letter I submitted respectfully to him. (also the "hoof length" issues addressed in the article, "Reversing Distal Descent" at  http://www.hoofrehab.com/jessica.htm were a big factor as well.) (and the more recent article on this site; Heel and Toe Length)

In all fairness, if you want Jaime’s side of the story, you should ask Jaime.

Are you trying to "pick a side"? Don't bother. Jaime and I are both doing what we think is right. I personally think you should pick the horse instead, anyway. Horses are much easier to get along with than either of us. Never stop learning, and always ask the horses about any new information you learn. If any new "trick" doesn't pass that test, throw it out.

Respectfully Yours,

Pete Ramey” 

Incidentally, the formation of the American Hoof Association has nothing to do with all this (other than, perhaps, the timing). It is not intended to compete with the AANHCP or any other school. Democracy and a continuing peer review of the skill of professional trimmers are things I always wanted and pushed for within the AANHCP. No matter how good any school is; who knows what a person is up to five years later? I have always dreamed of continued accountability at the horse; so that customers know their practitioner's work has recently been scrutinized by other successful professionals.