Mallee Natural Hoof Care

12/08/2024

RIVERLAND AREA
(Renmark/Loxton/surrounding)

I am taking an EOI for the 4th of September to travel down for a trimming day.

I am a true barefoot trimmer, I specialize in long term soundness of the horse and looking at the big picture, not just the hooves. I have experience working with lots of different horses and ponies, nervous types and the confident ones too. I have great patience and spend the time to build a good rapport with the equine I'm trimming.

I can assist with diet suggestions/those transitioning from shod to barefoot/ maintenance trims/horses with a wide range of pathologies (Laminitis, thrush, seedy toe, underrun heels, trimming to advice from x-rays etc) and other hoof related needs. Don't be afraid to ask if you need help with your equines hooves!

I will be traveling down from Mildura, so will need numbers confirmed to be able to do this trip. If this trip is successful, I will aim to travel down every 5 weeks starting from November.

Please share around to any groups local to Renmark/Loxton. And send me a message to show your interest.

Thanks!

30/07/2024

New open availability!

I have current availability to travel to 2 new clients! I can accept anywhere between 1-4 new horses per client (per location travelled to)

I am experienced in trimming all sorts of horses all with varying temperaments and physical abilities. I adapt myself and how I trim to accommodate the horse I'm working with. There is no 'one size fits all' approach to my work.

I am available most mornings on weekdays, with some selected times on weekends (afternoons only)

Please get in contact if your interested, I'm happy to discuss further and answer any questions.
Thankyou 🙂

A one trim difference in this old mare, who I have taken into my care ❤️

26/07/2024

A good day is a day full of trimming 🐴

Photo 1 and 2 are a lovely Arab x who has come a long way in his hoof journey, still needs to get a bit lower in the heel but is a great improvement from a couple of months ago.

Photo 3 is an adorable Shetland x who's come from long and underrun heels, and quite bad imbalances. She is starting to show some great benefits from regular trims, and a good owner who is spending the time to maintain her overall health. It all adds up!

12/06/2024

⭐ Valued clients ⭐

Great news! After many weeks off following hand surgery. Everything is healing as it should be and I'm almost back trimming! I'm hoping no more then 2-3 weeks before I can start back with light trimming duties.

I'm opening up a weekday morning time for a new client with up to 3 horses at one time. But I have 3 open slots with more flexible times for those who can travel to me in Merbein! I do charge a small travel fee to come to you, but no extra fee if you travel to me.

For my current clients, send me a message and we can organize a time for your horses/ponies to be trimmed again.

Thankyou all for your patience throughout this time!

Here is a throwback photo to an almost finished (inside was balanced up) before and after trim photo of a very overdue laminitic pony! The difference in this ponies walk after just one trim was amazing ⭐❤️

09/05/2024

🐴 Australian hoof trimmers (the shared post) has a wonderful ‼️FREE‼️ online booklet on Laminitis! 🐴

Have you ever heard "my horse has laminitis" "your horse could be at risk of laminitis" and wondered what ACTUALLY is Laminitis? The booklet gives amazing information on what it is, what are the signs, laminitis first aid and more!

I highly recommend all my clients, whether you have a laminitis prone horse, or you may have one in the future, to have a read. It's an essential thing for all horse owners to be aware of to avoid a big issue.

The sooner laminitis is spotted and helped, the better future your horse will get. 🐴

LAMINITIS: Do you know the facts?

Head on over to our website and download your free pdf version of the Founder Facts booklet!
Handy knowledge for all horse owners and great to forward on to clients.

https://www.australianhooftrimmers.com/publications

07/05/2024

Availability!
I have a few available times for trimming but you will be required to float out to me In Merbein. Pm to discuss select times but I have most weekdays from 9am-1pm and weekends from 3pm.

Hi! I'm Natasha
I am a trainee trimmer for ACEHP (Australian certified equine hoof care practitioners) and have experience working with horses of all ages and temperaments, I have had awesome success with many horses who previously have been an anxious type with the trimmer.

I have experience reading hoof x-rays, transitioning from shod to barefoot, working with laminitis, mild/severe thrush, lameness associated with a hoof issue and many other hoof pathologies!

I am extremely patient, happy to take the time to achieve a good result, honestly and reliable.

Please feel free to message with any questions, or if you're wanting to book a time!

05/05/2024

A beautiful Sunday morning for trimming!
Here is a beautiful 2yo gelding hoof ⭐

We've had some rain over the last 2 days so it's been great having soft hooves to trim for a change!

We have treated him for his very mild thrush, and brought the outside heel back after this photo was taken ❤️

01/05/2024

I'm always looking for ways to improve my services, today was practicing hoof first aid 🧰🚨

My beautiful Pony Django was a wonderful helper! he's very used to the weird things I do now 🙈

Have a great rest of your week everyone!

15/03/2024

My own Pony Django feeling super after his trim this afternoon 🫶🏻 Django's always shows his comfort and appreciation after every trim with lots of licks and chews, and yawns, which means he's a comfortable happy little pony!

I notice lots of horses releasing some form of tension after their trim, and alot of thinking about their new positive experience they've had. My approach to trimming is to have them walk away more comfortable, and with a new happy thought about trimming!

I have helped many horses just like Django go from fearful, or anxious about getting their hooves trimmed, to loving their time and knowing they'll be so much more comfortable after every trim.

08/03/2024

What a beautiful Saturday morning!

Here's a before and after of a lovely little pony, in just one trim 🐴

03/03/2024

The beautiful Rocky made the transition from Shod to barefoot today! He's such a calm, well tempered boy that it made me pulling his shoes, and giving him a light trim, so easy.

I don't like to do a full trim like I would to an already accustomed barefoot horse, on a transitioning horses first trim without shoes. As it can cause unnecessary soreness, until the horses hoof adapts to being barefoot. Just a quick tidy up, give him a nice Bevel, and removing any excess toe/wall/bar and he's good to go until I see him again in 4 weeks!

02/03/2024

🐴 Photo 1 🐴 This Beautiful Standy has always been a work in progress. He started with me with quite badly underrun heels (which I don't have a photo of!) But I do have a photo from a couple trims after my initial trim with him (Top photo) And today's post trim (Bottom photo)

His hoof is really starting to stand up nicely, and his heel/toe ratio is really starting to look good. It's been a bit of work to get him to where he is, but good trim cycles, and a good paddock to help him naturally wear some hoof, has really helped him!

Still got a way to go, but he's certainly moving, and feeling so much better!

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🐴 Photo 2 🐴 My other Client horse today is a young c**t who's owner was very keen on learning how to trim/maintain her own c**ts hooves (under supervision of myself) This c**t had quite the long toe, and long heel (which is far from ideal! Ideal hoof is low heel, short toe)

She did a wonderful job having a go at trimming him with me supervising, and Is well on the way to being able to complete maintenance trims on her own young horses.

I love when my clients are interested in helping their horses hooves out themselves, and I'm more then happy to show my clients how to do very very basic maintenance work on their horses, as it can be highly beneficial for the horse to be kept nice and tidy, as well as hugely beneficial for the owner to learn about their own horses hooves!

27/02/2024

🐴 Waiting List 🐴

Unfortunately at this time, I'm capped at the amount of clients I can take on. As much as I'd love to help everyone's horses, it is just not possible at this time, I have started writing up my waiting list and those who have already asked to be put on it will be notified first, the quicker you can get onto the waiting list the quicker I can contact you when a spot opens.

At this time, my next available openings are not until November, my only exception is if you can float your horse out to my base in Merbein, but those spots are also very limited. Or if you have a horse who has an issue I could use as a case study for my course (list of required pathologies is in my previous post)

I thank everyone who has already contacted me in regards to a spot. And I cannot wait to meet you all soon! 🐴

📒 Note: When a spot does open up, if possible it will still be required to float out to me in Merbein, but I can organize a travel fee if I'm needed to drive out. Thankyou

📷 pic of the joy of my life, my own superstar pony 🫶🏻📷

25/02/2024

If you're located in Mildura/Merbein or very close surrounds (or Willing to travel to Merbein) and you have a pony with one/some of the following health issues, and are looking for a trimmer to help you, let me know 🐴

I'm a student barefoot trimmer and looking for the following to trim as a part of a case study, I'm required to trim this horse for a full hoof cycle (9-12 months) and take photos/write a report on each trim ( regular commitment to 4-5 week trim cycles are needed!)

This is what I'm looking for:
- An equine transitioning from Shod to barefoot (SUITABLE HORSE FOUND)

- An equine that has had/is currently acutely or chronically foundered

- An equine with Club foot (SUITABLE HORSE FOUND)

- An equine that has had recent hoof x-rays and is working in consultation with a vet

- An equine that needs hoof first aid (hoof boots, poultice etc for treatment or rehabilitation)

- An equine with seedy Toe (if severe enough is willing to have that hoof resected, aka a horse that isn't an active show horse etc)

- An equine with an abscessing hoof

- An equine with Medially/Laterally imbalanced hooves

If you have a horse with any of the following, or know someone that does that lives in Merbein/Mildura area OR is willing to Travel to me in Merbein, feel free to send me a message!

Thankyou for your support 🐴🙂

24/02/2024

Very good information here regarding Laminitis, it's a good read for anyone wanting to learn more about what Laminitis is about, a "fat horse" is not the only horse that can develop laminitis, it's actually quite common in lots of different horses!

Laminitis is a serious disease of the equine foot that can lead to long term, crippling changes in the hoof. It is usually explained in scientific terms that can be difficult to understand.

In a healthy horse, the pedal bone inside the hoof is attached to the wall by laminae. These are like velcro. One part stuck to the bone and one part stuck to the hoof wall.

Laminitis, in very simple terms, is the breakdown of this ‘velcro’ (laminae). It results in the failure of the attachment between the bone and the hoof wall.
Your horse may already have mild laminitis without you knowing. Sometimes professionals call this “sub clinical laminitis” or “low grade laminitis”. Commonly, horses are in this stage for a long period of time, even years. Quite often, horses that are tender footed are simply in a state of constant low grade laminitis. Any horse with a dish in its hoof wall has some degree of laminitis.

In an acute case, the horse will experience unrelenting pain and lameness as the bone tears away from the hoof wall and is driven down inside the hoof capsule by the full weight of the horse. This is referred to as pedal bone rotation or founder.

24/02/2024

Tasmania throwback 🐴🫏

The beautiful Clydesdale cross with her foal, and some donkey cuddles.

So much knowledge, and so many memories

📸 Thanks to Siobhan Nicholls 📷

30/01/2024

Yesterday was a day full of knowledge! Learning about the amazing structure of the Brumby hoof compared to the domestic hoof.

We touched on basic hoof anatomy, as well as the tendons, muscles and full structure of the hoof.

Today has been an even bigger day!

27/01/2024

The long awaited travel day has arrived!
It is a beautiful day today to fly!

I'm off to Melbourne today, to fly out to Launceston, Tasmania tomorrow. I will be participating in a 2 week intensive practical block, as part of my Hoof Trimming course.

This will allow me to gain further knowledge for trimming your horses and ponies, and I cannot wait to offer more to my trims after this block!

Please note: During this two weeks away, I will be contactable via page message, or my phone number. But please expect potential delays in a reply, each classroom day is between 8:30-4pm so I may or may not be able to reply to you during that time, but be rest assured I will get back to you as soon as I can!

Thankyou!

17/01/2024

I'm loving hearing everyone's feedback about my work! I'm always open to explain the why's and how's of my trimming, as it gives the owner a good bit of education on their own horses hooves and how they're progressing.

If you've used my trimming service, please feel free to leave me a review on my page, I'd love to know your thoughts! And it really helps me out! ☺️

Trimming day with Mallee Natural Hoof Care .
Amazing service, patient and good for a yarn ❤️ Our own Tash.

10/01/2024

🐴 My job as a trimmer, is to make sure the horse leaves with a good experience, and more comfortable than when they came in. 🐴

Horses are, and always will be flight animals, I don't believe horses are "bad for the farrier" for no reason, if they've had a negative experience, or are a nervous type, they are going to need extra reassurance instead of being told off for "being naughty" or "being a pain."

I worked with a young 4yo horse today, who I was told used to shy away from the farrier, and was quite sensitive, in 1 session with me, he was coming up for cuddles and happy to stand there patiently.

I have experience working with young horses (as young as a few months old) to the elder horses (as old as 30) I am happy to change the way I do things, to suit the horse, from the bold and cheeky horse, all the way to the shy and nervous horses.

Please feel free to get in contact with me, to be notified when I am opening my books to new clients.
I'm happy to spend the time with your horse, to achieve the best result and make sure they leave with a new happy thought about getting their hooves trimmed. 🐴

(This is an older photo of my mentor, Mandy, trimming and explaining how why and how's of achieving the best possible trim.)

01/01/2024

2024 is here! 🥳🥳

Such a huge year for me coming ahead!

In about 2 weeks I will be off to Tasmania, and in February, my bookings for clients will open.

At this stage until I have my website done up- I will be reachable via messenger on fb or my ph number.

$45 a trim. The cost will rise as I gain more experience and expertise in barefoot trimming.

From 9am to 3pm weekdays.

NOTE- I have no car to drive so clients will need to float out to 104 Yelta Rd North, Merbein to get trims.

⚠️Payment for bookings MUST be done at time of booking- no refunds if cancellations in 24h.

I take the time and effort to balance the hoof out and give them a tidy trim, so please set aside 40 mins per trim. I am happy to have a chat to discuss the whys and how's on my barefoot trimming beliefs and practices.

If you would like to book in- please await for our OPEN post in a few weeks and send me a message once we are officially declared open.

I look forward to achieving soundness and longevity for your horse with you ❤️

Thank you!

Natasha

13/12/2023

This post speaks for itself for the incredible results you can see with your horse, with the help of a qualified Barefoot trimmer!
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I will be welcoming new clients in the next few months, please feel free to send me a message with any questions or enquires you may have! Or to put your name down to be contacted when my books open (or keep any eye on the page 🎉)

Please note, at this time I do not have a car to travel to you, so until the end of 2024 I ask for you to travel to me at my base in Merbein. Starting from late 2024/start of 2025 I will be super keen to expand my services to those who cannot travel, and to remote areas surrounding the Mallee 🐴🎉

Growing out some serious cracks and flares with 10 months of 4 weekly trims by Victorian based ACEHP practitioner Mollie Miller (Mollie Miller Equine )

This horse already had the right diet, movement and regular bodywork in place, so the short trim cycles were able to grow out all the cracks in one hoof capsule.

06/12/2023

One of my trims.

I pride myself in ensuring good balance in the heels, encouraging good concavity, and ensuring the bars are cut back enough to not cause any unnecessary pressure.

If the overlaid bars aren't cut back, the extra pressure can cause bruising and lameness as the bars are weight bearing when they aren't meant to be.

Please note: This particular hoof was a work in progress and the outside wall was balanced up afterwards.

05/12/2023

Good evening!

✨️✨️✨️✨️

My name is Natasha.

Over the last 12 months, I have developed a keen interest in quality true barefoot trimming after the visits from Mandy Etherton, from Happy Hooves Natural Hoofcare, started regular Mildura visits..

Mandy's huge expertise and knowledge in the field of equine long term soundess and true hoof care has kick-started my passion.
We have a real need for more professionals in this region and I cannot wait to assist the community.

I have enrolled into becoming an ACEHP (an Australian certified equine hoof care practitioner)

The course starts in Janurary and over the span of 2024, I will slowly be taking on new clients for trimming. Once I return from my course at the start of Feb, I will alert everyone when bookings will open.

My aim is to encourage long term, barefoot soundness. My belief is no horse should walk away from any trim foot sore. With correct trimming, I believe all horses can be comfortably barefoot, or with the assistance of glue on/non invasive shoes.

I aim to educate others on the power of keeping horses barefoot, without overgrown bars, unbalanced heels, no concavity and too long in the toe. And showing the results of correct, true barefoot trimming. I aim to focus on rehabilitation cases also.

My equipment is state of the art (not the average rasp farriers use) and with a special cream that enables a hoof to soften, dry Mildura hooves will not be a problem.
Whilst my trimming isn't the usual 5 minute trim, I take the time to balance out the hooves, ensuring I've cut the bars back, keeping good length of toe and heel.

My journey is still new and I'm continually improving to give the best hoof care I am able to. I am patient and have experience working with many types of horses and ponies.

I aim to be able to travel to clients in 2025, however at this stage without a car, I do request for clients to float out to my base at Merbein.

I offer very very reasonable rates for my work. Once I'm fully qualified, prices will go up.

My goal is to remain easy to approach, easy to communicate with and easy to book with.
A website will be created in the future for clients to manually book their own times and pay inadvance (and also ability to move their booking)

Areas I will service is the Mallee region and remote areas outside the Mallee.

This page I will update photos of trims I have completed to openly share my work.

✨️✨️✨️✨️

Thank you for joining my journey,

Natasha