At one point in my life, I decided to learn about farriery. I enrolled in an intensive 10-day short- course. During the day, we would fashion shoes, trim horses, and when the instructor thought we were ready, attach the shoes to an equine foot.

Each evening was devoted to classroom sessions. We discussed, debated, and learned. One evening the debate was on the proper time to first trim the feet of a young foal. A variety of opinions were expressed. I really didn’t know the answer and had little to offer.

Finally, the instructor turned to me. “When do you think a foal should be trimmed for the first time?” he asked.

At loss for a definitive answer, I blurted out, “Whenever the foal needs it