Hooves In Harmony

12/02/2025

The association of metabolic syndrome and iron overload, indicated by high serum ferritin concentration in humans, is well-known (Stechemesser, Eder et al. 2017). In other mammals, like captive black rhinos and its most closely related species, the horse, iron overload is primarily dietary in origin. Due to the similarity between these two species, horses were used as an alternative model by researchers studying the relationship between metabolic disease and iron overload in captive black rhinos (Nielsen, Vick et al. 2012).

Because black rhinos are critically endangered, and captive animals have diseases induced or exacerbated by iron overload, treatment and prevention is paramount to improve their health and longevity. Therefore, feeding protocols that limit dietary iron intake were utilized in captive rhinos. This resulted in the successful reduction of hyperferritinemia, an approach that should improve the health and longevity for this endangered species (Sullivan, Mylniczenko et al. 2020).

Excessive iron is stored in body tissues, spleen, liver, small intestine, and lung. In all species studied, elevated body iron storage is both a risk factor and a consequence of insulin resistance, while reducing body iron reduces risk and improves insulin sensitivity. Drs. Eleanor Kellon and Kathleen Gustafson described the association of hyperferritinemia and hyperinsulinemia (high serum ferritin and insulin) in horses (Kellon and Gustafson 2020). While emphasizing that high dietary iron is an unlikely independent causal factor in the development of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), they stressed that the association between iron overload and EMS in horses is worthy of research, as it has been in other species. Their publication was recognized by other researchers studying human Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Human type II diabetes (T2DM) with abnormal insulin signaling has been linked to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Researchers studied the brains of aged donkeys and found lesions similar to those found in humans with AD (Malbon, Lorena et al. 2022). They say, “The finding of shared neuropathological changes with humans opens the door to perhaps the most intriguing aspect; their (donkey and human) shared susceptibility to metabolic dysfunctions. The triad of T2DM, obesity, and AD are intricately linked in humans with insulin dysregulation one of the main common factors. Equids, in particular donkeys, are known to be prone to their own version of insulin resistance, in the form of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). An additional area of interest for further investigation is the link between iron levels, metabolic syndrome, and neurodegeneration. Ferritin levels have been linked to hyperinsulinemia in horses (Kellon and Gustafson 2020), whilst in humans altered iron homeostasis is known to occur in numerous forms of neurodegeneration.”

The ECIR Group Inc. encourages and supports further research aimed at increasing knowledge of the complex association and mechanisms surrounding EMS, PPID (Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction), iron overload, and neurodegeneration (McFarlane, Dybdal et al. 2005, McFarlane 2007). This is the time for research directed towards equines with EMS and/or PPID as a primary research model, instead of a secondary stand-in for other species.

REFERENCES
Kellon, E. M. and K. M. Gustafson (2020). "Possible dysmetabolic hyperferritinemia in hyperinsulinemic horses." Open Vet J 9(4): 287-293.

Malbon, A. J., S. Lorena, W. L. A., G.-M. Danielle, P. Georgios, M. Neil, S. Tobias, M. Bruce and H. Caroline (2022). "Alzheimer-like pathology in the parietal cortex and hippocampus of aged donkeys." Neurobiology of Aging 113: 7-14.

McFarlane, D. (2007). "Advantages and limitations of the equine disease, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction as a model of spontaneous dopaminergic neurodegenerative disease." Ageing Research Reviews Ageing Research Reviews 6(1): 54-63.

McFarlane, D., N. Dybdal, M. T. Donaldson, L. Miller and A. E. Cribb (2005). "Nitration and increased alpha-synuclein expression associated with dopaminergic neurodegeneration in equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction." J Neuroendocrinol 17(2): 73-80.

Nielsen, B. D., M. M. Vick and P. M. Dennis (2012). "A potential link between insulin resistance and iron overload disorder in browsing rhinoceroses investigated through the use of an equine model." J Zoo Wildl Med 43(3 Suppl): S61-65.

Stechemesser, L., S. K. Eder, A. Wagner, W. Patsch, A. Feldman, M. Strasser, S. Auer, D. Niederseer, U. Huber-Schonauer, B. Paulweber, S. Zandanell, S. Ruhaltinger, D. Weghuber, E. Haschke-Becher, C. Grabmer, E. Rohde, C. Datz, T. K. Felder and E. Aigner (2017). "Metabolomic profiling identifies potential pathways involved in the interaction of iron homeostasis with glucose metabolism." Mol Metab 6(1): 38-47.

Sullivan, K. E., N. D. Mylniczenko, S. E. Nelson, Jr., B. Coffin and S. R. Lavin (2020). "Practical Management of Iron Overload Disorder (IOD) in Black Rhinoceros (BR; Diceros bicornis)." Animals (Basel) 10(11).

12/02/2025

Recent publication

Basically if you have a horse that had laminitis associated with pasture then continuing that horse on pasture will create a raised insulin and body score, cresty neck etc. compared to horsrs that don’t have any history of laminitis.

It may seem obvious but what it tells us that in this small study, if your horsrs has had pasture related laminitis then it’s likely putting them back on pasture will be a risk.

That’s how I read it.

So my mini pony Peanut who had laminitis Nov 2023 and an insulin test after a glucose load of 230 (should be below 20), is probably still at risk to go back into pasture.

So I built a track with my long suffering Hubbie, which is 600 m long now.
Peanut is constantly moving. I would like to put a tracker on him.

Movement is key.
My old mare, Penny always said grass was not the issue, it is the movement and I think she is right.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080624002600

11/02/2025

09/02/2025

04/02/2025

Interesting!

01/02/2025

01/02/2025

What a super day! Just shy of 100 miles covered and five lovely horses fitted for boots. From giant hooves to tiny ones and some in between, varying amounts of options.

Some needed something light for hacking… some needed support for older, arthritic/laminitic ones… some to help grow out pathologies or reduce wear.

Thanks so much for having me everyone! Do let me know how you’re all getting on - photos would be great!

Enjoying a large gin in my pjs in front of the fire now xx

31/01/2025

Here’s all the boots I have kits for! Xx

31/01/2025

The car is totally cleaned out and packed up ready for a busy day of boot fitting between here and Banff tomorrow!

In preparation I’ve also now got colour pics for each of the boots I can fit for you (the black and white was ok but hard to see some of them) and a snazzy new price list of these boots, just so it helps inform your choices a bit. There’s so many I can’t remember the costs of all of them on my visits but have an idea of what’s the dearer ones or more budget friendly ones. So we are sorted with that now so no nasty surprises when you go to order after our session! You will get a discount code too for the very fabulous Hoof Bootique which can take over £20 off some boots! 😱

I have a very small selection of secondhand boots but most will need to order online for new ones or have a look on eBay or Facebook groups

Hopefully by this time tomorrow I’ll have 4 or so happier horsey mums that know what fits (or doesn’t!) their furry friends, with 5 or 6 horses and ponies ready for more comfortable movement and fun times ahead!

If you’ve already had a fitting - we’d love to see photos of you and your noble, booted steeds and if you can, a wee review would be fab too!

See you all tomorrow! I do love a galavant 🚙

31/01/2025

In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the ins and outs on how to soak horse hay effectively. We will explore the benefits and the problems, both known and unknown of soaking hay. We will provide you with all the necessary information and step-by-step instructions to ensure the proper soaking...

25/01/2025

How tiny is wee N?! That’s my big hoof stand… and his very tiny hooves. Stood like a star for his first ever hoof trim the other week. He’s a darling! Could be taken him home… quite literally would’ve fitted in my boot… maybe even the footwell of the passenger seat 🥰

25/01/2025

Another fabulous moustache… G’s not mine 🤣🤣

24/01/2025

23/01/2025

Doesn’t B have the most fabulous moustooshe! The hair makes him look like he’s got a goatee too 🥰🤣

23/01/2025

Lymphatic Support Mix

23/01/2025

These are brilliant quotes!

Favorite Hoofcare Quotes

It’s been 10 years since I really started my hoofcare journey, and throughout that time I’ve been able to learn from so many amazing teachers/mentors/veterinarians/farriers/friends from all over in the equine world. So many of them left such great nuggets of wisdom to push me along in my path and help me pursue soundness for each individual horse.

As I am now a mentor myself for Progressive Hoof Care Practitioners, I have been thinking about things I say to PHCP students a lot during mentorship days, or things I say during PHCP webinars or other teaching opportunities.. and it often comes back to the same phrases.

I thought I’d share them here, but also ask you all to share some of your favorite hoofcare quotes that have helped shaped your approach to hooves as well!

*️⃣ “You paid for your entire rasp, use it.” - Jeannean Mercuri
—- I say this to almost every single trimming student I work with, and it was said to me by Jeannean during my very first mentorship with PHCP! When I was a “baby” trimmer I took such tiny little rasp strokes and only dulled the very middle of my rasp! Jeannean reminded me I had more rasp to use and would have more life in my rasps if I actually used the entire thing 😂

*️⃣ “Movement isn’t the problem, improper movement is.” -Nic Barker
—-This comment shaped my approach to navicular rehab specifically, and it was something Nic said to me during her podcast interview when we hosted her for a clinic in NY. She was talking about how she rehabs soft tissue injuries in the hoof capsule with movement, instead of avoiding movement, and the importance of proper biomechanics to act as physical therapy for those structures.

*️⃣ “I love seeing a perfect hoof, but I love seeing a sound horse an awful lot more.” -Steven Leigh
—-Steve said this to me on the podcast, when we were talking about concerning ourselves more with a horse’s comfort instead of just carving a perfect hoof on them. I think of this quote all the time when I am trimming a hoof and tempted to remove something the horse may need for comfort just because the picture didn’t look “pretty.” I have so many more sound horses because of the comments Steve has said to me in the past!

*️⃣ “The healthiest hooves are attached to the healthiest animals.” -Tomas Teskey
—-I must say this quote in every single webinar I do… because we want to combat the idea of horses “just having bad feet.” If a horse has unhealthy feet, I want to figure out why their body isn’t growing healthier ones! Diet? Metabolic issues? Gut health? Lyme/EPM/PSSM/something else systemic going on? Day to day management? This quote reminds me to keep looking for things to improve in the horse’s health to see if we can grow better feet, and not just keep my focus below the hairline.

*️⃣ “The hoof is like the canary in the coal mine.” -Pete Ramey
—-Similar to the quote from Dr. Teskey above, I say this quote from Pete in basically every single webinar I’ve ever done. It again reminds me that the feet are like the “check engine” light for the horse… if there’s an issue with the feet, it’s a symptom… find the cause.

What are some of your favorite sayings/quotes that have stuck with you, or that you repeat often?

20/01/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/18ymLkzGay/?mibextid=wwXIfr

To the owner whose horse lives out - your horse is fortunate to have an owner that can provide them the space to roam and graze as nature intended!

To the owner who rugs their horse - they will be so warm and cozy under their blanket, and less grooming means more time to ride!

To the owner of the unrugged horse - their coats are fascinating how they adapt to the weather, aren’t they?!

To the rider who wears cheap riding leggings and rubber boots – good for you…. you know that your horse couldn’t care less what you are wearing!

To the ‘all the gear and no idea’ rider - wow! You look incredible, your horse has everything it could ever wish for! You don’t have to be a grand prix rider to wear matchy-matchy. Go, you!

To the rider who rides once in a while – brilliant! It is so difficult to fit horses in around the rest of our lives. It’s great that you make the time to do the most that you can with your horse!

To the rider who never rides their horse – no problem. How lovely for your horse to spend its life being cuddled, groomed and grazing in the fields, you must have a wonderful relationship!

To the rider who rides everyday – go for it! Your dedication is admirable and your horse is benefiting from training and fitness. Well done!

To the happy hackers - you are living the dream of millions! What an honour to share such adventures with such extraordinary animals!

To the barefoot fanatic – I admire your passion. Barefoot is the best option for many horses. It is wonderful that you are trying to improve your horse’s comfort and foot health!

To the rider who trains with every professional and expert going – brilliant. What a wealth of knowledge and expertise you have access to!

To the self-taught rider – you must be so proud. What an achievement!

To the professional rider – you inspire me. Your results and rosettes are impressive. They are not won without hard work, commitment, sacrifice and talent. You deserve your success!

To the rider who has never won anything – who cares?! Your horse doesn’t! The passion you have for your sport is worth so much more than any material!

If you want to win and have not had any luck – keep going. You will get there eventually. The hardest won successes are the sweetest!

To the owner who keeps their horse spotlessly clean, neatly trimmed and pulled – marvellous! I applaud your attention to detail. Your horse looks beautiful!

To the owner whose horse is caked in mud and has dread locks – I laugh with you! You know that horses love to roll and if you were to bath your horse today, you would find them in exactly the same mucky state again tomorrow!

As long as your horse is happy and healthy, what you do with your horse is nobody else’s business. The only time anybody should interfere is if there is a genuine equine welfare issue, a safety issue, or if you have specifically asked for advice or help. Otherwise, please let’s not judge others.

‘Each to their own,’ and if it’s good for your horse then ‘good for you!’ 🐴❤️

*Taken from another page Trina's cobs*