Konstantin - the Barefoot trimmer Australia

31/03/2024

14/01/2024

About eight years ago there was a shift in the discussion of laminitis and veterinarians were talking about ‘whole body inflammation’ because it starts to create links between many health problems. Laminitis is not a stand alone illness, there is always systemic inflammation alongside it. Issues such as laminitis, EMS, leaky gut, insulin resistance and musculoskeletal problems all have the potential to be associated with each other.

When there is an issue in the body, a localised inflammation response will occur, this release of chemical messengers initiates a physiological response which in turn leads to the recovery of the issue.

However if there is excessive inflammation (when the trigger/cause of the initial inflammation is not resolved which is often the case when laminitis is triggered) then the body keeps sending out these chemical messengers and they travel systemically and start to impact the other tissues. We then see inflammation occurring in places we wouldn’t necessarily link to ‘laminitis’.

The picture shows one of these symptoms that many of you will be familiar with. ‘Supra-orbital swelling’ (above-eye swelling) but what we are also seeing here is swelling directly behind the eye too.
Although the pictures are at very slightly different angles, you can see that it’s not just above the eye that is swollen, the whole eyeball has been pushed outwards.

The pony in these pictures are the lovely Megan who came to us in December. These photographs were taken four weeks apart and show the marked improvement in swelling. Not only has the swelling above her eye gone down, her whole eyeball is protruding less. The soft tissues around the eye make it easy to see inflammation in this area but it’s a nice guide to see how her body is responding overall to her new lifestyle.

03/01/2024

I am resuming my business and am now taking on new clients

22/11/2023

If you are told by your vet/farrier/chiropractor/nutritionist/trainer that your horse’s heels need to be raised because DDFT is pulling the pedal bone, causing rotation, remember: tendons DO NOT STRETCH, SHRINK or CONTRACT. They cannot pull. They conduct forces from the corresponding muscles. It is the muscle that pulls when contracts..
If the horse has laminitis, how does it affect muscles and tendons? Does it cause muscle contraction? No, it does not. So there is no extra forces appear after a horse gets laminitis. Just keep it in mind.

22/09/2023

Sheared heels explained

Do you know why heels get sheared?
Do you know why and how the hoof deformations occur?
Do you know how and when to address those deformations?

Should you lower the side of the pushed up heel, or maybe the other one? Or maybe it's better to leave it as it is?

If the hoof is deformed, it means the horse needs it that way... or does it?

Are limb deformities too complex to understand? I hope not!

Like many hoofcare professionals, I used to ask myself those questions a lot - until I think I found some answers, which I tried to share in this article :)

https://thehoofarchitect.blogspot.com/2023/09/demistifying-equine-limb-deformities.html

If you guys want to learn more, I'll be explaining this more in depth and also talking about trimming in the upcoming webinar with Yogi 😊

The FB event page:

https://facebook.com/events/s/new-understandings-in-hoof-mor/3564929467077786/

And here is the hub ticket booking…

https://equineeducationhub.thinkific.com/courses/understanding-hoof-morphology-1

15/07/2023

Dear Customers.
Due to increasing number of clients changing their minds last minute asking to reschedule to "next week", braking my schedule and making me to waste time/fuel, I have to introduce "Late cancellation fee". This fee will be applied, if you cancel a scheduled appointment less then 24 hours before and is equal to $50.
I'd like to remind you, I work on schedule. I don't come on demand.
Thank you for understanding.
Regards,
Kostia

17/06/2023

Water for Horses
Brian S. Burks, DVM
Diplomate, ABVP
Board-Certified in Equine Practice

Water is the fuel for life in every mammal. There are six nutrients required in the horse’s diet- carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. Water is often overlooked, but it is one of the most important nutrients. A horse deprived of feed, but supplied drinking water, can survive 20 to 25 days. A horse deprived of water may only live up to six days. After lacking water intake for two days a horse may refuse to eat and exhibit signs of colic and other life-threatening ailments.

A metaphoric idiom that dates from the 12 century and was in the proverb collection of John Heywood in the year 1546 states: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink." The idiom can be interpreted to mean you can provide someone an opportunity to do something, but you cannot force them to do it; or people, like horses, will only do what they desire. Horse owners may think of this saying when experiencing a horse that refuses to drink.

Water is a crucial nutrient for many body processes and chemical reactions. It is needed for digestion, thermoregulation, and other life-support functions. Horses do not utilize their food properly without an adequate water supply. They can be malnourished even with enough food if water consumption is inadequate. Horses consume about 25 liters of water per day at rest and ambient temperatures. When ambient temperatures and humidity increase, water requirements also increase. More water is also required for exercise. Horses can lose up to 10 liters of water per hour in sweat. During intense exercise, your horse can lose large quantities of water and electrolytes in their sweat, which must be replaced. If the weather is warm enough, horses standing idle in the paddock are also at risk of dehydration if left without shade and fresh water supplies.

At rest, the horse requires about five liters per 100 kg body weight, based upon research done at thermoneutral temperatures. How quickly a horse becomes dehydrated varies with ambient temperature, diet, exercise, pregnancy and lactation, and age. Young horses require more water than adult horses. Horses exercised at increased ambient temperatures (33-35°C or 91-95°F) and high humidity (80-85%) increased their water intake 79% for four hours.

With 100 liters of water secreted and absorbed by the intestinal tract daily, it is easy to see how dehydration can quickly become fatal. When more dried food is consumed, water requirements increase; horses on lush grass may not drink much water from a trough. Fresh pasture usually contains between 60-80% moisture, whereas commercial feeds and baled hay provide far less to your horse.

Without water, the body’s organs will begin to shut down after three to four days and can result in permanent organ damage. Horses with health conditions such as diarrhea can dehydrate quickly, even if drinking normal amounts of water. Those with elevated insulin and glucose levels may drink and urinate more. Diet can increase water consumption: large amounts of fiber (hay) salt, potassium, and protein can increase water consumption. The lack of water can include the lack of electrolytes. Electrolytes include the minerals sodium, chloride and potassium and the lack of electrolytes can lead to kidney failure in the horse, if the horse is not rehydrated quickly.

The demands of the lactating mare are greater, up to 80% more water than other horses. Ensure that she receives a well-balanced forage-based diet.

Horses should always have clean, palatable water. Water troughs should be checked and cleaned frequently. Most horses prefer water to be lukewarm (20°C or 68°F) water, especially during cold weather. Horses drink about 40% less water when it is near to freezing temperatures. When traveling, stop every few hours to offer water, which helps the horse to stay hydrated and tolerate long travel times much better. Hay can be soaked in water at shows to mask the taste of the local water and increase water intake.

Equids are extremely sensitive to the smell and taste of water and feed. They may not wish to consume water from a different water source. This may be due to varying pH levels and total dissolved solids, or ions in the water. Water hardness (which can be due to high calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium levels) also affects palatability. Try taking water from home when traveling to prevent dehydration.

Horses can drink too much water, although this is uncommon. Horses with equine Cushing’s disease often have polyuria and polydypsia. Excessive water can wipe out the electrolyte gradient in the kidneys, resulting in water loss and dehydration or excessive water consumption or both. Most horses do not drink beyond their body’s capacity. They may consume more water when exercising or ill, especially with diarrhea.

Following exercise, horses should be allowed to consume as much water as they want. Horses do not consume water beyond gastric capacity and do not colic. Use ambient temperature water, that right out of the hose. Electrolytes or salt can be given following exercise to help replenish water and electrolyte requirements.

Do not take horses on long, hard rides in the desert without water. Offer water frequently during exercise. Do not give grain for several hours before the ride, as this may dehydrate a horse more quickly. Offering electrolytes before and after the ride is suggested to help combat electrolyte and water loss. Soaking hay or hay cubes prior to endurance rides is a way to help with fluid balance.

Clean, fresh water is the best water for horses. Examine any potential water source (creeks, ponds, puddles) carefully before allowing your horse to drink from it, considering its clarity (rainfall and runoff decrease clarity), odor (which can indicate unclean water, potentially impacting palatability), temperature (since extremely cold or warm water affects palatability), and color (which does not necessarily affect water quality, so use this factor in combination with the others—i.e., don’t let your horse drink from murky, moldy-smelling water that is also green).

Clinical signs of dehydration include an elevated heart rate or pulse (28-40 beats per minute is normal for an adult horse), changes in gum color and feel (pink and moist are normal), decreased mentation, and decreased skin elasticity (detectable via a skin pinch test, in which the skin of the upper eyelid retracts to normal in less than two seconds when pinched and released). Changes to these vital signs occur when the horse is 4-6% dehydrated. Horses typically display visual signs such as sunken eyes and a tucked-up appearance to the abdomen when dehydration levels approach 8-10%. Another sign of dehydration is a high level of protein in the blood, which can be determined by a blood sample. Horses dehydrated to this level will require intravenous fluid administration by a veterinarian.

The best way to ensure your horse maintains hydration is to offer free-choice access to clean water, regardless of stabling, pasture, or travel. Monitor the horse for signs of dehydration, and work with your equine veterinarian to resolve any dehydration issues. If you need to drink, so does your horse. Maintain hydration!

www.foxrunequine.com

(724) 727-3481

Your horse's health is always our top priority.

19/04/2023

Due to moving home, I am changing the area I service. Unfortunately, Pakenham, Officer, Belgrave, etc. are not in service anymore. Sorry for inconvenience.

30/01/2023

Yesterday, I was quite surprised to see how quick recovery progress can be. This front foot(pre trim) belongs to a severely foundered Shetland pony who had very long toes. Unfortunately, I didn’t take photos when I first met her.
She had only four trims starting from late September. This was the fifth appointment.
The key to success is the owner following directions. Thank you, .

11/01/2023

New Year - new problems

16/12/2022

My area of service

01/12/2022

Scoot Enduro fitting will be available soon

18/11/2022

Spectacular news for our Australian Scooters.

As of 21 November 2022 Pony Club Australia has updated the national gear rules and has allowed all Scoot Boot models to be worn in all competitions.

We are over the moon about this news and although it is only the first step, it is a great one towards the acknowledgement of horse welfare. We are so proud to be a part of the barefoot movement promoting the barefoot horse.

You can find the updated rulebook here (and Scoot Boots are mentioned on page 28.)

https://ponyclubaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/National-Gear-Rules-2023.pdf

17/11/2022

New Scoot Enduro hoof boots

14/11/2022

MUST READ to the very end before contacting me

Pricing/Fees
Basic horse/pony trim - $60
Laminitic/foundered horse - $80+
Heavy horse trim - $80
Hoof wall crack dissection and treatment - $20/each
Horses that misbehave - plus $10, $20, $30... and so on
Late cancellation fee - $50

Conditions
Strict schedule only based on your horse's needs. No more than 5 weeks between trims. Weekends only.
Please do not contact me if you:
- want trims to be done every 6+ weeks;
- want trims done on occasion/demand;
- can not comply with MY schedule;
- working/busy/lazy on weekends and can not attend.

12/11/2022

Replacement for is about to hit the market

22/10/2022

I recommend for laminitis/founder

Learn more about the similarities and differences between EasyCare's popular therapy hoof boots, the Easyboot Cloud and Easyboot Rx.

25/09/2022

Interesting case today. Something you don’t see everyday.
P.S. the horse is sound and happy

21/08/2022

27/07/2022

The Werkman Grinder offers you a more effective and easy way of trimming the hoof. Time saving and easy to use. Works well on laminitic horses as well. https://werkmanhoofcare.com/product/hoof-grinder/

16/02/2022

Why some abscesses never heal?
Most common causes:
1. Septic Pedal bone osteitis.
2. Pedal bone sequestrum.
3. Keratoma.
4. Foreign body.

Why do some hoof abscesses heal quickly while others linger? Why are some one-off occurrences while others keep coming back? We consulted two horse hoof experts to answer these questions and more.

27/11/2021

NPAS Graderingsskala 1-4

Andrea Floyd gjorde 2010 en studie om NPA där hon även presenterade en skala över hur långt in i processen hästen befinner sig.
Hur man bör gå tillväga för rehabilitering skiljer sig beroende på hur långt gånget tillståndet är.
Jag har förenklat väldigt mycket (!!!!!) och översatt.

Grad1 mild

Det finns tillräckligt med suldjup under spetsen på P3, hovbenet, så att normal positiv Palmar angle kan åstadkommas enbart med verkning. Hästen brukar ha en klumpig gång och undviker att landa på trakten utan att vara halt. ( Floyd 2010)

På hoven kan vi se att kronrandens bakre del går i en lätt båge uppåt, proximalt .
Lätt att åtgärda med god balansering.

Grad 2 moderat

Suldjupet är begränsat under P3's spets så det bästa som går att åstadkomma med verkning är markparallellt P3.
Hästen visar samma symptom som grad 1 och kan ha lätt hälta, Obel grade 1-2. ( Floyd 2010)

Hovens kronrand, visar en båge uppåt proximalt, men drar sig även bakåt, palmart, på ett sätt som inte syns på grad 1.
Nu behöver vi någon form av applikation på hovarna. Jag använder gärna phw wraps eventuellt med inlägg i lagom sulmaterial så det är bekvämt att landa på trakten. Väldigt god prognos!

Grad 3 svår

Hoven har nu tappat mycket av sin funktion i trakter, traktstöd, digital cushion (elastiska putan) och hästen är oftast halt, Obel grade 2-4 (Floyd 2010)

Coronary band visar större båge både uppåt och än mer uttalad bakåt/neråt.
Vi behöver nu skydd och stimulans under en längre tid. Det går att rehabilitera men är mer tidskrävande.

Grad 4 kontraherad

Nu har hästen även flexor-kontrakturer. Antagligen är det kroppens försök att lätta den kraftiga spänningen i DDFT, djupa böjsenan. Den ökade spänningen beror på trakternas kollaps och vi ser hyperextension av hovleden ( Floyd 2010)

Nu ser vi svår deformation av ungular cartilages appendages, hovbroskens bakre kant, med en tydlig kurvatur neråt.
De här hästarna har dålig prognos...

Ut och kika om din häst ser ut som någon på bilderna:)!

Fotografierna på hovar och röntgenbilder kommer från boken " Laminitis, Founder&Equine Digital Osteoarthritis"
( La Pierre 2018)

Läs gärna Floyd's studie och/eller npa kapitlet i La Pierre's bok för en mer fullständig information!

21/11/2021

20/11/2021

Experiment results!

I wanted to see how deep the thrush treatment went into the foot, on this particular foot.

There was a little white line separation, very minor, and a area of “seedy toe” in the left heel quarter.
The frog was not good, with 2 slits in the central sulcus, one was pretty deep.
Check my video from yesterday for details.

Findings.
The treatment covered the exfoliating frog well and went deep in the collateral grooves and central sulcus.
Some treatment penetrated the layers in the sole, the layers that looked like they were ready to exfoliate.

Take a close look at the frog, that part in the middle, the central sulcus….
The frog is missing tissue and you can see how much is missing. Look carefully, the gap is perilously close to the inner tissues, by about 2 mm.
Consider the frog exterior should be around 1 cm minimum from inner tissues… 2 mm is not good at all. Would you have guessed this was so deep?

So this leads me to say that thrush treatments that sting and destroy living tissue must be avoided. In this case, the best treatment would need to be gentle and considerate of how deep the slit is in the frog.

This slit would hurt… sensitive tissues including sensitive frog contains pain nerves.

Imagine a deep cut in the bottom of your foot at the heel.
Imaging putting caustic treatments on it.
Imagine how walking would be painful.

Your horse feels the same. Then to avoid the pain would change his gait to land on toes and not heels.
There is not much protection for the coffin bone at the toe. Imagine the huge energy that smashes up the foot as the toe first landing occurs.

Thrush is not to be ignored- I truly believe this. Even if you are told it’s not an issue or won’t hurt…. I’m not a vet farrier or trimmer, however I am an anatomist and have studied over 400 equine feet. I’ve seen thrush cripple horses.

http://www.patreon.com/hoofstudies