Kas Edney Hoof-Care Practitioner

25/08/2024

23/08/2024

23/08/2024

Do you need a thick ski jacket today? Then why do you think your horses do?
We are seeing a huge number of horses that are overheating due to wearing rugs all day. We are also noticing horses that have lost weight or developed skin diseases that has gone undetected due to having had rugs on for months.

Rugs need to be taken off every day, and if you are not able to do this it is best to leave them off completely.
In all my years in equine practice, I have never seen a horse become sick from the cold, but I see issues from rugs and over heating almost daily

20/08/2024

Question for your farrier:

If adding wedges helps my horse load their heels more, then why is there more wear on the shoe at the toe than at the heels when you pull them back off at 6 weeks?

18/08/2024

In honour of Black Caviar and all broodmares

There’s no doubt Black Caviar was a special horse having won every one of her 25 races. She brought the racing community together and the crowds back to the racetrack when crowds were dwindling. She was a phenomenon.

But what was her life really like? Did she enjoy racing? Did she enjoy being a racehorse in the limelight? We’ll never know but we’re guessing she just wanted to be a horse.

Black Caviar was first raced as a 2yo. After she had won her last race, she wasn’t rewarded with a well-earned retirement - she had after all, won almost $8m. Instead, she was sent to the breeding barn, in lay man terms, to be forcibly made pregnant with some of the leading stallions of the world.

How this occurs is a story in itself. Mares are often restrained so that they cannot say no. If the mare was a human, it would be called r**e. In many cases, they’ll use a twitch to twist and apply pressure to the lip of a mare to immobilize her. Hobbles are attached to the hind legs of the mare to prevent her from kicking the stallion away. Her tail is forcefully pulled to the side to prevent her from interrupting the mating.

These breeding procedures will be happening again soon as the breeding season starts on September 1.

Mares are pregnant for 11 months. So, one month after giving birth often with their newborn foal standing next to her, she will be forcibly mated from again. And again, the following year and the year after that.

A foal born to a champion like Black Caviar, is a valuable commodity. Every detail is meticulously planned to ensure the best possible chance of producing that valuable commodity. It’s how studs make their money. The aim is to produce a foal every year to maximize their returns on investment. Unfortunately, for the mare this can have tragic consequences.

Every single year from her retirement and right up to her death, Black Caviar was made pregnant. She was killed after giving birth to her 9th foal.

We will never know the true circumstances but almost certainly she would be still alive today if she wasn’t treated like a breeding machine.

In an interview with trainer Peter Moody, he explained how Black Caviar was prone to poor blood flow in her hooves, which then right before giving birth for the last time resulted in laminitis, from which she was then euthanized. They knew Black Caviar was at risk, and still continued to make her pregnant.

With the Spring Carnival just around the corner, be a voice for Black Caviar and all the mares enslaved by this ruthless, cruel, and immoral industry.

Say no to animal cruelty, say no to horseracing, say Nup To The Cup.

RIP Black Caviar💔

04/08/2024

Why does your farrier require you to stay on a schedule if you stay with him? Is he just wanting more money? Is he just taking advantage of you? Absolutely not. It’s all about keeping the horse’s foot as consistent as possible. Too many people think “oh, they don’t look bad so they don’t need done.” When in reality, if they do look good inbetween cycles, and they still look good when they are due next…that’s a compliment to the job the farrier has done.

For every 1 centimeter of extra toe, it’s an added 50 kilograms of force on the tendons. If you do the conversion, that’s 110lbs of extra tension!!!!! Think about the pain a horse has with toes that are 4-5” long. Or, on a horse that’s only done once or twice a year. So, when a farrier requires or asks that their clients stay on a schedule, it’s for the benefit of the horse. It’s our job as farriers to do what we can to keep our client horses both sound and comfortable.

09/07/2024

Interesting read. Unsure how I feel about it.

02/07/2024

Correct way for the halter

20/06/2024

My gorgeous friend makes her own antibacterial hoof treatments.
If you would like some, let me know 🫶🏽

19/06/2024

Frosty mornings = laminitis risk.

Alert 🚨 for frosty 🥶 weather.

Sunny days and frosty nights lead to increased sugar accumulation in grasses, posing a risk of laminitic episodes in pre-disposed horses. To mitigate this risk, owners should limit turnout during frosty conditions and provide hay as an alternative forage source to better regulate their horse's sugar intake.

17/06/2024

15/06/2024

http://www.southwestequine.com.au/hoof-abscesses-are-common/

Hoof Abscesses are Common! by Dr Kelly Gowland | May 30, 2022 | Equine Health An abscess within the hoof is one of the most common causes of sudden, severe lameness in the horse. It is an infection in the sensitive tissue of the hoof, which develops into a pocket of purulent material (pus) within th...

11/06/2024

Hamilton visit 19th June. Call Southwest Equine on 0437 380 302 to book in.

06/06/2024

05/06/2024

🐴🫶🏽

14/05/2024

🌟 Do Scoot Boots have good traction? 🌟

Yes! The Scoot Boot tread pattern is designed to provide traction for the majority of riding conditions, such as mud, grass, sand, rocks, and more! 💦

And for those icy adventures? Don't worry; we've got you covered! Simply add our Ice Studs for enhanced traction in frosty, icy conditions. ❄️

Ready to elevate your ride? Get your Scoot Boots today and conquer any terrain with confidence! 🐴

14/04/2024

🔨 "Ever wondered how hooves, the robust foundation of our magnificent steeds, came to be? Let's take a gallop back in time.

Eohippus, the dawn horse, was a small forest dweller with padded feet that bore four functional toes on its front legs and three on the back. Over millions of years, horses evolved to suit their changing environments, leading to the single sturdy hoof we know today.

This evolution is a perfect testament to nature's wisdom in adapting for survival. The solitary hoof is adept at bearing weight and enduring various terrains, making our modern horses excellent runners.

So, why should we care about this evolution? Because understanding the origin of hooves gives us valuable insight into their care. It reminds us that hooves have been millions of years in the making and have adapted to provide horses with a unique advantage.

At The Comprehensive Farrier, we respect this evolutionary marvel, providing hoof care services that honor the hoof's natural design and purpose. We're here to ensure that your horse's hooves, sculpted by nature's finest craftsmanship, continue to serve them well.

Let's learn from the evolution of hooves. Adaptability and resilience are nature's way – and it should be ours, too. Embrace changes, overcome challenges, and keep galloping forward.

Photo credit alchetron.com

04/03/2024

04/03/2024

Consider these four behavior-science-based approaches to help your horse load safely.

29/02/2024

30/07/2023

Grand Prix Barefoot 🥳

In this week's international showjumping news, a grand prix results in a barefoot one-two and Ben Maher jumps 60th clear round

16/07/2023

Gradual expansion of caudal hoof 🥳

09/07/2023

Mud free trimming areas please 🙏🏻

‼ Do clean your horse’s feet and legs prior to your farrier appointment – you wouldn’t go to the dentist after eating a Mars bar having not cleaned your teeth!
Beyond your farrier getting dirty and increasing the risk of accidents through slippy/muddy chaps, farriers use rasps to level, balance and finish the foot – rasps clog particularly easily preventing your farrier from doing the best job they can.