Before you get started you will need to collect the tools required for trimming a horse's hooves.  These tools will all serve a different function and all are required to properly clean and trim your horse's hooves.  Make sure you have the following equipment:  Gloves to protect your hands and fingers as you work. Hoof nippers will be used for the actual trimming of the hoof. A rasp is used to level off any rough areas of the hoof. A hook knife can help you dig out any material that is caught in your horse's hoof. Farrier chaps are optional, but offer protection to your legs while trimming your horse's hooves. Hard, dry hooves are extremely difficult to trim and attempting to do so will only frustrate both you and your horse.  Before you trim the hooves make sure to soak them in water, making them much easier to work with.  Have your horse soak their feet in water or mud for around 15 to 20 minutes. If you live in a dry location, bring a spray water bottle with you and moisten the hooves as you work. If the hooves dry out during the trimming process, take a break and soak them again. Before you start trimming the hooves you will need to make sure they are clean.  This allows you to get the best view of the hoof and will inform you of which areas need the most attention.  Use your hook knife to remove any dirt or other material that may have become lodged within the frog and bars of the hoof.  Hold the knife with the blade pointing downwards, opposite to how you would hold a steak knife. Keep your wrist straight and use your whole arm to make your strokes. While facing the horse's rear end, hold your horse's leg between your legs to keep the hoof in place while you work. Use one hand to hold and manipulate the hoof while the other hand cleans it. The hook knife can also be used to cut away areas of the frog if it has grown across the sole.

Summary: Gather your tools. Soak the hooves. Clean the hooves.


It is not uncommon for individuals who take Zoloft to experience suicidal thoughts. Please note that this is a normal side effect that can be managed if you inform your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may adjust your dosage or recommend additional treatment such as therapy. If you experience suicidal thoughts, do not stop taking Zoloft unless your doctor tells you to do so. In some cases, Zoloft may cause behavioural changes that hinder your life. Contact your doctor if you experience manic episodes, hyperactivity, extreme irritability, aggressiveness, insomnia, panic attacks, or agitation. This might be an issue with your dosage, or a sign that Zoloft is not the right medication for you. If your symptoms are severe, seek medical attention immediately at a hospital or walk-in clinic. If you experience an allergic reaction to Zoloft that results in seizures, difficulty breathing, swelling of your tongue or throat, hives, blurred vision, vomiting, fever, or joint pain, seek emergency medical treatment. If you experience symptoms that are less severe, contact your doctor to see if Zoloft may be the cause. Such symptoms could include:  Drowsiness Loss of appetite Nausea or indigestion Excessive sweating Tremors Decreased sex drive Zoloft must be taken for at least a week before it builds up enough to have any effect. You will only see the full effects of the drug 4-6 weeks after you start taking it. Be patient and do not stop taking the drug on the assumption that it is not working. Talk with your doctor if you feel like you may need to increase your dosage.

Summary: Talk to your doctor if you experience suicidal thoughts. Report any mood swings or abnormal behavior to your doctor. Seek medical attention if you notice physical side effects. Prepare to wait for the benefits of the drug.


Speak honestly with your partner about what you're feeling. Tell him or her what makes you so uncomfortable, and try to get to the bottom of your feelings. Make sure that he/she knows that you're still interested – but that you want to take things down a notch. If your partner understands where you're coming from, it will be easier for them to change their behavior and make you feel more comfortable. You may find that open communication makes your relationship much less complicated. You can't expect your partner to act a certain way unless you ask. Two people don't necessarily come into a relationship with the same expectations. Your partner might not even realize that she's making you feel uncomfortable. You may find that you have been living in two separate realities, each making moves and choices that are incomprehensible to the other. The quickest way to fix this is to establish a mutual understanding of where the relationship is going. If you can't see eye to eye, it may be time to leave. It isn't fair to force your partner into something they don't want – and it isn't fair for you to live in fear of losing yourself. Sometimes, you need to step back and focus on yourself before you can dive into a serious relationship. Consider whether the situation merits a breakup. Breaking up with your partner will not only slow things down – it will bring them to a grinding halt. If you feel that this is the only choice, then don't be afraid to make it happen. If you find yourself leaping to long-term plans and words of commitment—e.g. "I love you."—consider whether you're really comfortable with those things. Try to shift the dialogue to the short-term. Before you decide where your relationship is going to be years down the line, figure out where it will be in a few months' time.

Summary: Talk about it. Try to get onto the same page. Don't force it. Try changing the way that you talk about your relationship.


Heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Peel 1 small onion and 2 cloves of garlic. Use a sharp knife to chop the onion and mince the garlic into small pieces. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and stir them as they sauté. Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes, so the onion softens a little. Cut 1 pound (453 g) of pork butt or shoulder into large 2-inch (5-cm) chunks. Add the pork to the pot with the onion mixture. Stir the pork and cook it for about 5 minutes. The pork chunks should become browned, but they won't be completely cooked inside. Pour 2 cups (473 ml) of the water into the pot and stir in 1/2 cup (120 ml) of soy sauce, ¼ cup (60 ml) of oyster sauce, 3 tablespoons (37.5 g) of sugar, and 2 star anise. Heat the mixture until the liquid starts to boil. Turn the heat down to low, so the liquid bubbles gently. If there's any scum floating to the top, you can use a spoon to scoop it off and remove it. Put the lid on the pot and simmer the mixture until the meat is completely cooked and tender. This should take about 1 hour. Lift the cooked pork out of the pot and set it on a cutting board to cool a little. Once it's cool enough to handle, take two forks and shred the meat apart. Pour the liquid from the pot into a measuring jug. Pour 1/2 cup (120 ml) of the liquid back into the large pot. Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of the liquid into a small saucepan and set it aside. Stir the shredded pork into the large pot and turn the heat on to medium-high. The liquid should come to a boil. Whisk one tablespoon (9 g) of cornstarch with the remaining 1/4 cup (60 ml) of water in a small bowl. Pour half of this mixture into the pot with the shredded meat and stir it for one to two minutes. The meat sauce should thicken a little. Turn off the heat. Turn the small saucepan on to medium heat and stir in the other half of the dissolved cornstarch. Keep cooking and stirring until the liquid comes to a boil and thickens. This should take two to three minutes. This thickened sauce is the dipping sauce that you can serve with the siopao.
Summary: Heat the oil and cut the onions and garlic. Sauté the onions and garlic for 5 minutes. Add and sear the pork over medium-high heat. Stir in the seasonings and water and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the mixture for 1 hour. Shred the pork. Heat the shredded pork in the pot. Dissolve the cornstarch and stir it into the meat. Make the siopao dipping sauce.