On the last weekend of October, a dozen horses and a few dozen dedicated horse owners gathered at Greenbriar to learn from David Landreville how to trim their own horses’ hooves.

David teaches that the ultimate goal of hoof care is to maximize comfort, performance, and longevity for every horse. Trimming, in his view, should be far more than simple maintenance—it’s about building the hoof. By simulating the natural miles of wear a horse would experience in the wild, we can help align the outer structures of the hoof with the inner ones, creating balance and resilience from the inside out.

A key part of this process is developing strong, flexible soft tissue—something that’s often missing in our domesticated horses. David emphasizes that hooves should never be carved, forced into preconceived angles, or compacted with dead material that only gives the illusion of soundness. Instead, the goal is a fully live, highly functional hoof.

Throughout the weekend, students learned to recognize the difference between soft tissue that is engaged or disengaged, building up or breaking down, strengthening or atrophying. This ability, David explains, is vital for effective hoof care. One of his central teachings is the importance of shaping the Palmar Contours—a crucial, often overlooked element in modern trimming practices. By shaping the hoof in alignment with its internal anatomy, we can build stronger, healthier, more functional hooves that last a lifetime.

With over 20 years of experience as a hoof care practitioner and clinician, David Landreville has dedicated his career to helping people build better hooves. His approach blends technical precision with emotional connection, encouraging trimmers to listen closely to the horse’s feedback. For David, the horse is the ultimate judge of the trim and the experience, reminding us all that the smallest details—and a willingness to listen—make all the difference.

He truly is a man who listens to the horse.