D:

I trimmed a pony yesterday. I've trimmed him before, but haven't in a long time. Due to his weight and blood in his toe, I trimmed his toes quite short to get the pressure off the laminae. I was also showing the owner how to apply a laminitis trim as she trims herself.

Today, the owner called me to tell me the pony could barely walk.

I'm a professional trimmer and these calls are a part of that. Sometimes you make a call based on what you think is best for that particular horse at that particular time and you turn out to be wrong. Sometimes so wrong that the horse requires pain relief.

That sits heavy on me. Really really heavy. How do I keep going when this happens? I'm not in this to make horses sore or force feet into a shape that isn't suitable or to make money. I'm in this to help horses, help them get sounder, stay sound. Help owners and give them support and improve the foot and the whole life of the horse.

This isn't the first time I've made the wrong call with a trim. I do that many now that I can't avoid it. But I want to. How do I avoid it and keep trimming?

I didn't sign up for this.