Hear what our clients have to say about David Qualls and Shoe-Less Farrier Services:
It’s been nearly a year since Frosty’s accident, and I am happy to report that he is back under saddle. To the vets who worked on him and all who saw him three-legged lame for so long after his head-over-heels failed jump attempt, this seems a minor miracle. The muscle atrophy in his left hindquarter has disappeared, his spine has been realigned and his hoofs have recovered. This note is to thank you for your on-going support, consultation and advice throughout his recovery. I’ve been told that the only reason he survived, let alone recovered so beautifully, is because of my extensive care. While this may be true in part (it was a grueling experience), I know that without the help of professionals like you, I would have lacked the wherewithal to make it possible.
Following his accident, Frosty was stall bound for two months, with limited turnout for several more. Despite our conversations about how bad confinement is for horses, having always kept mine in 24/7 turnout, I was ill-prepared for the instantaneous results of confinement on Frosty’s feet. Within a week of being confined to a beautifully maintained 12×12 stall with rubber mats and plenty of wood shavings, his hard as rock, concave bare feet went flat and soft. I was appalled to see that after five years of shoeless trail riding on rocky terrain such damage could occur in such a short period of time. After ten days at the hospital, I brought him home to a make-shift stall and ten-foot turnout filled with pea gravel. Though you told me about the effects of pea gravel, again, I was unprepared for the near instantaneous effects. It took only a few days for the soft sole to slough off and reveal a hardened, almost polished replacement. Of course, that left me with walls needing to be trimmed. Since I’d never trimmed a three-legged horse who couldn’t lay down, your advice to use boards under the weight bearing feet to get them off the ground just enough to get the file to them was spot on. Why didn’t I think of that? Well, because I’d never come across a three-legged horse before! But since you had, I could cope. Now, looking at him, you’d never know he’d been through such an ordeal. With further conditioning, I am looking forward to seeing him out on the trails again this summer. With that thought in mind, I wanted to take the time to make the proper acknowledgements for his success.
From your on-going attempts to teach me what my horses need me to know about all things foot- and body-related, to your spot-on advice in times of distress, you have always been the professional I and my horses needed. For this we thank you.
Antionette Calabrase
I am Aubern Mason. I have a seven year old Lipizzaner named Maximus. Well, his name is Siglavy Sabella but we call him Maximus. He is 14.3 hands, 1,000 pounds and has never been shod. I bought him at almost four years old in 2007. I boarded at the time and began using the house farrier. I quickly realized that he was trimming Max wrong. He left so much hoof wall that Max essentially had shoes on. So I did a bit of research and landed on a Jaime Jackson style trimmer. Well lets just say that my horse isn’t a Mustang and that trim didn’t agree with him. It lamed him. SO I was complaining to an acquaintance and she mentioned that only one man was allowed to trim her horses. His name was David Qualls and I should at least meet him. Well in walks a cowboy. I immediately told him that Max had hated the previous trimmer and that if he hated David, he was done. Well Max fell in love. It took a couple of months to undo what the previous folks had done but it went smoothly. Max never took a ouchy step. I recently realized that David was my third farrier in six months!
David has been keeping Max as balanced as he can which is a struggle due to the fact that Max is still growing. And he grows exponentially every winter causing all sorts of new and exciting problems. He has a conformational toed out right fore. David has been keeping it straight ahead so that as he grows Max can overcome it. David had been trying to train Max’s hind feet to be round. A few months ago, David talked to Dr Bowker about it and he learned that some Lipizzaners have pointy hind feet, a throwback to their Kladruber draft history. When he told me this I looked at Max’s baby pictures. There he was at an hour or two old with those back feet arrow shaped. Since then David has been letting Max’s feet come into their preferred arrow shape. Today Max overtracked at the trot a greater degree than he ever has. The heel of his hind foot landed a good three inches in front of the toe of his fore foot.
There was a period where David was unavailable and I allowed another farrier to work on Max. He lamed him on all four. I then decided that only one man is allowed to trim my horses. Max was thrilled to have him back. He showed it by unbuckling David’s chaps so that they hit the floor when David stood up. I swear that horse was laughing.
David has become part of our “herd”. He has learned about Lipizzaners and dressage. He sometimes even admits when he’s wrong. He has taken me to task when I’ve been particularly boneheaded and I’ve sometimes admitted when I’m wrong. He has encouraged me to further my horse knowledge and even to become a saddle fitter. And, amazingly enough, he has helped me to get past some serious riding fears. Max and I have an amazing relationship on the ground but he can be combative under saddle. Today I rode bareback while Max was being a bit of a pill and thinking about spooking. I demanded that he pay attention to me and not rush through my aides. Max and I are finally enjoying one another and a big part of that is thanks to David. And as he says “just go ride your dang horse!”
Aubern Mason
We met Mr. David Qualls, of “Shoe – Less Farrier Services” on or about September 2007, through a friend. This meeting was after my Horse “Breezie” (then a 1250 pound 13 year old Red Roan Quarter Horse mare) was diagnosed by our veterinarian as having laminitis/founder in both front hooves, and recommended that this beautiful animal be “put down”.
Mr. Qualls arrived to where Breezie was boarded, from his home in Georgia, at approximately 8 pm on a very cold night. He went to Breezie’s side and comforted her with a light caring touch and a soft voice, Breezie accepted this stranger as a friend immediately; which is not at all in her manner.
David examined her, who at this time could hardly stand on her own, and then he told us this horse could be saved. However; in doing so, we would have to follow his protocols to the letter.
We accepted of course and in doing so he stated that if if we had any problems or questions during this period to call him immediately anytime and he would come to Breezie’s location.
After many months, long hours, hard work, and tears, this beautiful horse is back on her feet, back to her normal weight, rideable, and most of all back to her beautiful self.
David made numerous visits to examine and to do what was necessary in follow up corrective trimmings and also relieving her of noticeable discomfort. David took as much time as needed with his easy going style making her feel confident, safe and comfortable prior to any procedure. But be assured that David also practices “constructive discipline” when and only when needed.<
David healed this very beautiful horse and we thank him for his knowledge, his caring attitude and gentle manor.
His motto “It’s all about the Horse” says it all; and is truly an understatement on his part.
This motto is now posted in our barn and strictly adhered to.
We take this time to say: Thank you, Mr Qualls, for a job well done and especially for saving my horse’s life. If there is any doubt in anyone’s mind that has an equine in trouble and I can talk from experience, please put your faith and trust into this man’s ability, vast knowledge of hoof care, this disease, and his extreme dedication to his profession
We strongly recommend Mr. Qualls and his associates if and when they are needed “for the Horse”
Robert Beisswanger, Charlotte, TN
When we moved our horse, Gypsy, from Florida to Georgia, we were told by several farriers we may have to put shoes on her. That wasn’t an option for us. Our other horse, Anna Marie, had some hoof problems we needed help with. After looking for several months, we found David, and all of us (horses and humans) are glad we did. With him, it’s not just about the hoof, but the overall horse. We have seen great
improvements with the girls since David has been trimming and are very happy with the results. Keep up the great work, David!
Dudley Bryan, Franklin, GA
Greetings David, 11/18/08
Bill and I want to thank you for your dedication and efforts with the recovery of our gal, Misty. We also welcome you to post this letter on your web site and welcome you to use us as contact referrals.
We know without a doubt, had we not had the good fortune to meet you at your Whole Horse Wellness Clinic last year in Bon Air, Va. Misty would no longer be with us. Without your guidance and logical approach to treating foundered horses, we would have been left with our previous farrier and veterinarian’s suggestion to put her down. That thought to this day causes me to get teary eyed. David, you asked us at your last visit what it is you could do that would better your communication between you and future clients. Our answer is: do what it is you are currently doing, we find no fault with your professionalism, we also found your dedication to us and our horse unusual in those in the farrier business.
Now for the web site “Energy from Clients”. If you are looking for a farrier that is 100% dedicated to the wellness of your horse, his name is David Qualls. My husband (Bill) and I suffered through the foundered horse trauma and heartbreak last year [2007]. Our Spanish Arab Gleaming Mist was diagnosed with 4 foundered feed last spring, our vet and farrier talked it over between themselves (Bill and I were left out of this discussion). (Read the rest.)
Bill and Carol Whitehead, Bon-Air, VA
David has been working on my grandchildren’s pony (Bullseye) for several months now and the results have been little short of a miracle. When David came on the scene the pony had been foundered and the farrier had put shoes on him, after which he got abscesses in all four feet. It took several weeks to get the farrier back out and when he did come, he said we should just put the pony down. For us that was not an option and needless to say he will not be back. A friend told me about David and he came from the Atlanta area to Dickson, TN and after checking Bullseye all over he said it would take awhile, but with his dedication and mine he thought he could bring him back to 100%. Within a couple of weeks, the difference was day and night and he has continued to improve ever since. We can’t thank David enough.
Cyndy Schaub and Family