Darby D. Holden

A horse's conformation, breed, age, workload, and environment all influence the type and frequency of care and attention necissary to a horses feet. No Foot, NO Horse, means just that! If you are competitive you want the best for your animal, this means soundness and comfort.  Darby has spent a lifetime working with and enjoying horses, in all aspects of the horse industry. The experience she brings from a deep love and understanding of the horse and his anatomy, conformation, job, and movemant, is first rate. 

 

Darby's experience and dedication to the horse started from a young age on the East Coast, growing up involved in United States Pony Club. Her excellent background comes from graduating an HA, and the countless hours training and competing as a youth and young adult. She grew up competing in both dressage and eventing, as well as many hours in the saddle foxhunting. She had the opportuinity to work at several increadible breeding farms in Maryland. Responsible for day to day care, management, and feeding of broodmares and foals, grooming and handling young horses, starting two year olds, and riding and reschooling ex-racehorses for eventing and foxhunting are just some of the things that make up Darby's extensive background with horses. Many years Darby has groomed and worked with yearlings for the sales, paying attention to conformation as it relates to the developement and success of the equine athelete. She had worked assisting multiple veterinarians and trainers before she became a farrier.

 

Darby attended a 6 month farrier school in the Appalachian Mountains, had a small practice in her homestate of Maryland, and in the fall of 2005 traveled across the country to California. It was in California where Darby gained extensive experience from working at premier racetracks- Del Mar, Santa Anita, and the late great Hollywood Park. At the track Darby had the opportunity to aide in the care and management of working racehorses. This consisted of leg work, assesing conformation, treating various injuries sustained while in training or racing, and general care and conditionong schedules. She worked closely and was taught well by trainer and horsemen Howard Zucker who maintained a 20+ horse stable.  He encouraged her to better understand conformation and movement of the racehorse. During this time she was active in working with Zucker's vet and farrier, reading xrays and managing injuries. She met Wesley Champagne at Santa Anita and served as his apprentice for a short time and then began practicing farriery independently. Darby's background in jumping and perfomance horses caused her to focus her shoeing practice on the needs of the working riding horse mainly, dressage, eventers, hunters, and jumpers.

 

She has worked with many talented Journeyman and Master Farriers, and attends clinics and contests whenever possible to continue to better her skillset and keep her work at its best.  As a horse owner, who rides daily, Darby has more then just the ability to trim your horse, or nail a shoe on. Her passion for the horse is unmatched and reflects in the quality hoofcare she provides.

 

Darby Holden has been shoeing for nearly a decade and has the education, dedication, and experience to serve your horse. Please feel free to email for current availability and pricing.