Considering the age and size of the "patient", I would get one of the clicker training books, and use those principles to teach Hormel to let you handle his legs and feet and then to file the hooves. It may take a little more time, but will be easier on all concerned not to have a wrestling match. And, the job will be easier the next time. Teach in small increments, and if he's really good about one lesson, quit there, while you are ahead! Since he's gone 2 years without trimming, another few weeks won't kill him. If you know a farrier, ask for a file he considers worn out - it will be plenty sharp enough for your sometime job, just not for his full-time work. If farriers aren't among your acquaintances, then any feed store or tack store should have blacksmith files, but they are pricey as I recall. If you can, put a handle on it - that narrow tang has sharp edges. And wear gloves - new files are SHARP!

Hi Dora, I was wondering the same thing. There doesn't seem to be much action on this board lately. I guess I haven't been asking any questions either, so I'm as much at fault as anybody. My only defense is that my violets are doing well. What can I say? Alive & kickin' starvin'! LOL I heard that! I have also been on a diet and trying to get more exercise. I'm on the Flat Belly Diet. Which is kind of like a Mediterranean diet of sorts. It emphasizes good oils with every meal. Along with losing some weight, my blood sugar has gone down to normal just by being on this diet. It was researched with the aid of Prevention Magazine, so it is a little more than just somebody writing a fad diet to get rich quick. But I am pretty hungry...all the time. Larry

I used to work in a gym for several years and I have seen many women work so hard to remove the post baby belly. Some momen are blessed not to have this problem and seem to have a flat stomach within weeks of giving birth. But the majority has to make a choice; they can make improvements through exercise & diet or get rid of it with lipo. It has always been amazing to see the changes in confidence in those that chose lipo. Some even go the whole route with tummy tuck. These women all seem so much happier after and also start dressing in the types of clothing they have wanted for years. They also stop complaining of their spouses and seem to enjoy intimacy for the first time in years. ItÂs a personal decision though so IÂm certainly not pushing plastic surgery. Any way, I have to say those draining tubes for tummy tucks make we a bit squeamish when I have been shown. Don't know if I could do that considering I couldnt even look at my C/ section slice from my first "big" headed son.

I don't really diet any more but I do pay pretty close attention to what I eat. I watch my weight closely and if I creep up more than 4-5 lbs I make sure I lose it before things get out of control. When I got an iPhone I got an app for tracking exercise and what I eat. This was really enlightening and I think important as others have said. The app I use shows how many calories you can have based on age, weight, exercise, etc. I was amazed at how little you can eat if you don't want to gain weight. I mean you really have to stick to a healthy diet and control portion size. Fortunately I eat pretty healthy to start with or I'd be doomed. I find exercise is becoming more and more important to my weight control which is of course no surprise.