Rachael Bishop - Student Equine Podiatrist

15/11/2024

🌟Friday Favourites🌟

The humble ‘Hay Cob’ 🍽️ 🌿

Thinking about feeds today and thought I’d share my current favourite.
These are such a versatile feed, they are low sugar and starch, (values vary between manufacturers) forage based, and can be soaked into a mash and used as a hay replacement for horses unable to eat hay.

This time of year when it’s colder and horses may be drinking less and having less water intake from grazing , adding soaked hay cobs are a great way to add fibre and extra water to their diet to keep thier tummies moving!
Soaking them in warm water makes a lovely winter mash that smells delicious 🌱💦🌿

(Always introduce new feeds gradually to keep the microbiome in your horse’s gut happy 😊 )

09/11/2024

Yesterday was all about the girls! 🐴
💕Hoof boot fitting for a lovely big thoroughbred mare needing some extra support and comfort after coming out of shoes.
💕Hoof boot fitting for a tiny little Welsh who needs some front boots to cover the harder ground when hacking.
💕Trims for a lovely little cob mare (youngster) who I’ve been trimming since the beginning of my journey to become an EP.
💕 🌟 last but not least , the gold star of the day has to go to this teeny little Shetland mare, Pumpkin, who had been unhandled/uncatchable for a year (unable to have any hoof care) before I met her at the end of the summer, and yesterday she let me trim both her fronts and bring them forwards for a toe tidy! She’s still very nervous, trimming takes patience and it’s still a work in progress, but look at the changes in these teeny tiny hooves 🥰

(When your hoof stand is too tall, the Ariat composite toe work boots are a great alternative!)

31/10/2024

🕷️ 🎃👻Happy Halloween 👻 🎃 🕷️
Spots are great for Halloween spiders!

(Featuring the lovely ‘Steve’, my daughters first pony ☺️)

29/10/2024

Arbie modelling his hoof clay this eve before venturing back out to his paddock in the dark 🌙 We’re missing summer already!

28/10/2024

Heels 👠 !
Have a look at the back of your horse or pony’s foot - this is what we’re aiming for, nice bouncy, shock absorbing structures that are free to move. Beautiful 🤩

A heel bulb admiration post. This is one of my favourite views of a horse’s foot as it is the heel structures that often dictate how comfortable a horse is.

I see two bouncing tennis balls here -plenty of structure for the horse to land into.

25/10/2024

🌟Friday Favourites 🌟

Lots of trimming this week and the theme was definitely smelly frogs 🐸 so thought I’d share some of my favourite products!
If you’re noticing that your horse’s feet are a bit whiffy and thrushy (the black smelly goo that’s found alongside the frog and in the collateral grooves) a good hoof spray to clean and flush out any dirt in the cracks, and an application of paste can really help.

💪Red Horse Products ‘Field paste’ is quite thin (think butter consistency) and is great for spreading all over the soles and frogs.
💪Red Horse Products ‘Artimud’ is thicker and more of a clay, it can be pressed into cracks and holes and has a bit more staying power in wet conditions as it’s thicker.
💪Horse Leads ‘Hoof Clay’ is somewhere between the two, again great for spreading all over the sole and around the frogs.


These are all designed to keep the anaerobic bacteria at bay, as well as being kind to healthy tissue. A smear of paste on the sole, frogs and collateral grooves of clean hooves a couple of times a week can really help to keep thrush and infection under control … and it smells so much better than smelly feet!

25/10/2024

Looking forward to watching this! 👀 🐎

It's here!!! The long-awaited full-length feature documentary 'Horses and the Science of Harmony' is now live and FREE to view on YouTube, as well as on Smart TV platforms Apple TV, Amazon Fire, ROKU, LG, and Samsung, and online via Equus Television Network from today, Friday, October 25th.

"In moments of unity, the space between predator and prey is filled with something more divine."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ulkLHqHZ3g

18/10/2024

Catching up after a lovely break and have been busy, busy boot fitting! (and trimming!)

I often see posts online where owners are asking for boot recommendations. Shape and size varies so much for each individual horse … and hoof!

One of these boots was fitted to a 16.2hh horse and the other a 13.2hh pony, any guesses which boot belongs to who? 🧐

Always worth trying before you buy if you can!

26/09/2024

Sandwich bags packed and ‘out of office’ on for the week 😊🌞 Thank you to all the lovely ladies who are looking after the four legged friends while we’re away !
I’ll be catching up with messages on my return so sorry for any delay in reply.
Parting shot of my handsome boy this am 😂

19/09/2024

Back home after an amazing couple of days in Milton Keynes for the EPA conference, where the ‘whole horse’ theme was present throughout! 🐎
Presentations from farriers, bridle, bit and saddle fitters, osteopaths, Dr’s, EP’s and students all joining together to share their knowledge and experiences working with horses.
We may be predominantly looking at feet but don’t be surprised if your EP suddenly starts talking about teeth or tummies! 🤓

14/09/2024

My two love this feed, great opportunity to give it a try!

05/09/2024

Not long now! Tickets still available…

🌟PLEASE SHARE FAR & WIDE🌟

We’re counting down the days until The Jayne Hunt Memorial Conference ! The final preparations are underway and we can’t wait!

Tickets are still on sale until the 8th of September so if you haven’t already got yours, click on the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-equine-podiatry-association-presents-the-jayne-hunt-memorial-conference-tickets-830108044507

Check out the eventbrite page for details of the fantastic speakers we have lined up!

30/08/2024

Pulled in after my last visit to catch up with some messages and was treated to this! Now I fancy a cider! 🍺 😄

26/08/2024

When you have a greedy Native pony who’s about to move to a fresh new paddock 🐷 😬 …. Guess what we’ve been doing today 💪😂
Hope everyone enjoyed the Bank Holiday weekend!
(I’ll be catching up with any weekend messages over the next couple of days)

13/08/2024

This would be a great win! 10 years later and I still find myself using Karen’s brilliant groundwork tips when life is a bit too exciting in Oreo’s world!

🏇🏻🏇🏻Winter Giveaway!🏇🏻🏇🏻

Karen Whiston is offering ▶️ six free lessons ◀️ to one lucky rider and their horse❗️

6️⃣lessons❗️

One lesson per month, from October to March, at Christon, BS26 2XX.

The training will be on the chosen riders own horse.
The lessons will be both ridden & in hand, including rider biomechanics.
The sessions will be very much bespoke to the goals of the individual.

If you would like more details on how you can be considered for this exclusive give away, please use the link below to find out how to apply.

https://www.karenwhiston.co.uk/winter-giveaway

23/07/2024

After shadowing a brilliant EP in the Mendips today I came home to find these ⬇️😁
🐎Flex Boot wide fitting kit is now available for those with rounder feet who still want a close fitting boot. Look at the little tiny one 🤩
Also going to give the felt wool pads from The Hoof Boot Shop a try! Will keep you posted!