Natural Horse Care
Equine Organics is owned and operated by Jason and Leslie Mirise. They reside with their two horses and two dogs in the small Sierra foothills community of Cool, California. Jason was born and raised in Visalia, California. He has earned degrees in Electrical Engineering and Acoustics, and has been working in engineering consulting since 1996. He moved to northern California in 2003 to pursue business opportunities and a complete lifestyle change. That lifestyle change included many activities and opportunities involving horses.
Leslie was born and raised in Fairfield, California. She earned a degree in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, and has been working as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist since 2000. Leslie and Jason were married in 2005, and purchased their horses (Ace of Spades and Lakota Moon) shortly thereafter. Ace is a 2005 Friesian x Paint gelding, and is Jason's primary riding horse. Lakota is a 2001 Appaloosa (mostly Thoroughbred) gelding, and is Leslie's primary riding horse. Their other immediate family members include Samantha (1996 Queensland Heeler X Australian Shepherd) and Clancy (2009 Queensland Heeler).
Like many people - whether from tradition, ignorance, or arrogance - they felt strongly that working horses should be shod every 6-8 weeks and fed a diet heavy in alfalfa and grain-based supplements. In late 2007 their family became involved in "natural horse care" after an incident involving Lakota and a farrier. Without further explanation, a new farrier or hoof care program was needed. Based on a recommendation from a friend, they tried "going barefoot" and enlisted the help of barefoot trimmer Tracy Browne (Greenwood, California). At Tracy's insistence they studied the written works of Pete Ramey and other founding members of the barefoot movement. Jason soon purchased a rasp and, with the guidance of their trimmer (and future mentor) and numerous books and DVDs, provided minor hoof maintenance for their horses in-between trimming appointments. In the middle of 2008 Jason became the family trimmer. And in the middle of 2009 Jason started trimming friends' and acquaintances' horses. In August 2009 Jason began the certification program with Pacific Hoof Care Practitioners (www.pacifichoofcare.org ). He is currently a Student Practitioner with PHCP and will be completing the certification program in 2010. Leslie accompanies Jason on many trimming appointments to handle horses, provide general assistance, and help educate horse owners regarding natural hoof care.
Leslie was born and raised in Fairfield, California. She earned a degree in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, and has been working as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist since 2000. Leslie and Jason were married in 2005, and purchased their horses (Ace of Spades and Lakota Moon) shortly thereafter. Ace is a 2005 Friesian x Paint gelding, and is Jason's primary riding horse. Lakota is a 2001 Appaloosa (mostly Thoroughbred) gelding, and is Leslie's primary riding horse. Their other immediate family members include Samantha (1996 Queensland Heeler X Australian Shepherd) and Clancy (2009 Queensland Heeler).
Like many people - whether from tradition, ignorance, or arrogance - they felt strongly that working horses should be shod every 6-8 weeks and fed a diet heavy in alfalfa and grain-based supplements. In late 2007 their family became involved in "natural horse care" after an incident involving Lakota and a farrier. Without further explanation, a new farrier or hoof care program was needed. Based on a recommendation from a friend, they tried "going barefoot" and enlisted the help of barefoot trimmer Tracy Browne (Greenwood, California). At Tracy's insistence they studied the written works of Pete Ramey and other founding members of the barefoot movement. Jason soon purchased a rasp and, with the guidance of their trimmer (and future mentor) and numerous books and DVDs, provided minor hoof maintenance for their horses in-between trimming appointments. In the middle of 2008 Jason became the family trimmer. And in the middle of 2009 Jason started trimming friends' and acquaintances' horses. In August 2009 Jason began the certification program with Pacific Hoof Care Practitioners (www.pacifichoofcare.org ). He is currently a Student Practitioner with PHCP and will be completing the certification program in 2010. Leslie accompanies Jason on many trimming appointments to handle horses, provide general assistance, and help educate horse owners regarding natural hoof care.
Some final words regarding their horses: Ace has never experienced a horseshoe or a boot, and goes barefoot on any terrain. He is what Ramey would refer to as a "gravel cruncher." His primary work is pleasure trail riding, and he'll be working cows in the future (although he may also show up in the dressage ring someday). Lakota has transitioned from horseshoes beautifully, and can cover most terrain without boots. Most of the time he is a dedicated dressage horse currently working at 1st level (although he will also make a good header horse if called upon). For demanding work over rocky terrain, they put his very round size 3 front feet in boots.
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