Heart & Sole - Equine Podiatry by Laura Evans

16/01/2025

Horses are individuals and have different levels of comfort and need for support.

These 2 lovely horses both had their shoes removed at the same time. One had stronger internal hoof structures to start with while the other was slightly weaker.

For one, we are trimming and allowing feet to condition themselves on different surfaces and for the other, the owner is using hoof boots and wool pads to help safely stimulate the solar corium whilst giving some added protection.

Hoof boots and pads are amazing at not just protecting feet, but can provide safe pressure stimulation to enable nice healthy horn to be produced. They also encourage the horse to land confidently and correctly so the internal structures that give the hoof its overall health get stronger and stronger 💪

It's a privilege to be trusted to help these gorgeous horses 🐎 ❤️

12/01/2025

This lovely cob has really big feet!

On my initial consultation, I noted him to have a hypertrophied frog (one that's got too big), and in turn his quarters were flared which you can see from underneath with the "hooked bars" as the structures are pulled outwards.

Some regular trimming and the frog, bars and quarters are more under control ..... you can see the bottom image that his bars are much straighter and whilst he still has big frogs 🐸 they are much more healthy looking.

11/01/2025

My mini shetlands spend winter in the "hill field" which is quite exposed and this week, temperatures were below zero degrees day and night. They have a field shelter they never use, often as it's a food free zone so becomes less luxurious to them!

Their lovely frosty highlights shown their coats are working properly as the frost sits on the outer layer.

Did you know that simply by eating hay, a horse will be able to generate body heat through their specific hindgut digestive process (fermentation). Not only does this generate heat, but it also breaks the hay down to volatile fatty acids which is a safe energy source with less risks than those created by sugar and starch.

08/01/2025

A nice relaxed initial consultation and trim on this gentle giant this week.

When I meet a new horse, especially one who has just moved into the area, it's important to give them time to settle and relax before making changes to diet and management.

This lovely boy is only 4 years of age and has moved yards so will be on new grass and new hay as well as having travelled to his new home.

He's on a 4 weekly trim cycle, and over the next few visits, I will continue to assess his hoof health, and any changes needed will be made gradually.

06/01/2025

I'm very proud to be a student member of the Equine Podiatry Association, whose training for equine podiatrists provides the highest available qualification in the UK.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CsGS2NPPf/

The Equine Podiatry Association was launched in 2006. It became a self regulating body for Equine Podiatrists in the UK.

You can find out more by visiting:
www.epauk.org

31/12/2024

Wishing all my clients and followers a happy and healthy 2025 🎉

I was especially proud of my horse hoof bobbles in the picture! 🤣🐴

30/12/2024

A year of trimming for these 2 little ponies and it's easy to forget how far we've come. These pictures are of 2 different ponies feet.

Both had their struggles with imbalance, laminitis and some other issues. Working with the owner and regular 3 weekly and now 4 weekly trimming cycles have made all the difference.

16/12/2024

It's often said that for healthy feet, you need the right combination of diet, management and trim.

However, an essential component missing from that list is "time". Some horses have always been barefoot, others take shoes coming off in their stride, however there are a few who need support once the shoes come off to ensure they are comfortable.

Once owners put in place the right diet, management and the trim and trim cycle are right, I then monitor the hooves closely over time to see their progress. Sometimes this can be seen after the very first trim, other times I can be a year on before healthy changes are seen.

This little mare doesn't have the strongest feet. Her shoes were removed in August and I've trimmed her 3 times now.

She doesn't yet have "rock crunching feet" and that's OK.

What she does have are some improvements in her heel purchase area, her heels are not as under run and you can see her heel bulbs starting to relax and open up (think of a line drawn around the back of the heel bulbs and see how they're are getting less 'pointy').

I take the small wins and help support the horse with allowing time, providing recommendations and trimming appropriately 😍.

14/12/2024

Cutest feet of the day go to this tiny little dude!

Rio is a 6 month mini shetland who is just adorable! He stood for his first ever trim today and managed legs forward and legs back...just like a pro! Cute! 😍

04/12/2024

When I fit horses for hoof boots, I'm totally unbiased within the range of fit kits I have.

I'm often asked what boots are best.....the answer is simple.....the best boots are the ones that fit the horse best.

For my own sports horse, however, I LOVE my flex boots and cant fault them. They cope with his arthritic twisting joints and protect his often compromised feet without fail. A few years of wear and still going strong!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1KUMb63G1G/

The inside of the Flex Boots sole is unique: it's made up of wavy ridges that create an air pillow under the horse's hoof. This is why the boots provide such effective shock absorption, and the comfort is visible as soon as you put the boots on your horse.

28/11/2024

Argyll horse folk - don't miss out!

Catriona is amazing, and a lovely massage may be just the thing your horse, pony or donkey needs to ease those tight muscles.

https://www.facebook.com/share/19Gkw1EVe7/

Christmas Vouchers Special Offer!

A perfect gift for your horsey friends or just for your horse 😊.
🔹 1 hour and 30 minutes consultation and massage, including follow up exercise recommendations, (usually £50) ....Now £40
🔹 2 hour consultation, massage and ridden assessment (usually £60) .... Now £50

Offer available on any voucher purchased before Dec 31st. Valid for 12 months 😊

🤶🏼🐎🤶🏼🐎🤶🏼🐎🤶🏼

20/11/2024

Our Argyll temperatures have dropped significantly over the last week......the joys of winter ❄️☃️.

Not only does winter bring with it mud, wet and associated ailments, winter can also have other impacts on your horse.

During winter, horses are often eating more hay and more hard feeds 🪣, and with this, they need to ensure they have adequate water 🚰 intake to help their digestive system keep moving and help reduce the chance of winter colic. Ensure water troughs are free from ice to make this more inviting, if you can, adding some warm water can be useful ☕️.

Cold temperatures 🌨 can often impact your horses circulation. Particularly where you have a horse or pony with other health issues such as PPID, then you may want to consider fleece leg wraps 🧦 or hoof boots with pads to help keep circulation in the lower limb as good as it needs to be.

How cute is this little lady rockin' her fleece leg wraps and cute little Cavello boots 🥰

17/11/2024

Wow what a quick weekend that was!

🚗Just under 500 miles driven.
🐴Met 13 new lovely horses and their caring owners (plus friends and family!).
👢each horse was fitted for hoof boots using 6 different types of hoof boot fit kits.

From healthier feet just needing some extra protection from excess wear and chips, to those rehabbing back to barefoot and some pathologies along the way as well needing much more support.

Some advise on nutrition, hoof hygiene, hoof pads and of course the best suited make, model and size of boot for each horse.

10/11/2024

Absolutely LOVE these wool hoof boot pads.

These have been a real game changer for many horses and loved by owners - wash, dry and reuse...what's not to love!

These can be purchased from The Hoof Boot Shop 🥰

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FpfCiHWUL/

04/11/2024

Such a lovely and appreciative post from Hugs of Argyll who do such amazing work throughout Argyll.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AhsitoS7r/

Just because a shetland may have tiny feet, doesn't mean they need any less attention to detail than a bigger horse.

I have a few shetland and mini shetland clients, and many have little wonky legs that need a nice balanced trim to help them.

Super proud to be working with Heart & Sole - Equine Podiatry by Laura Evans!

Laura plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and well-being of our barefoot horses' hooves. She specialises in identifying and treating hoof-related issues, ensuring that our ponies are comfortable, sound, and able to perform at their best.

Only the best for our boys 😍

Thanks for all your hard work and advice Laura!

02/11/2024

Days like this make me happy 😊

This is a gorgeous little pony with PPID who I started trimming in February.

Her feet were quite weak with lots of seperation at her white line, contracted heels and each hoof had holes near her toe, a couple of these were several centimetres deep.

Thanks to her owner committing to regular trimming and relentlessly ensuring she receives her PPID medication provided by the vet, she is looking so much better after today's trim.

Let's play spot the difference with these 2 images. The one on the left taken in February, and the one on the right taken today (comments on each picture to help understand what I'm seeing).

31/10/2024

*HOOF BOOT FITTINGS*

Are you transitioning your horse to barefoot or simply want some added protection for stoney hacks with your barefoot horse or pony?

Heart & Sole - Equine Podiatry by Laura Evans has availability for hoof boot fittings in the next few weeks:

📆Sunday 10th November - South Lanarkshire ** 2 spaces remaining**
📆 Monday 11th November - Dunoon and Strachur ** 2 spaces remaining **
📆 Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th November - Ayrshire (North, South and East) ** 2 spaces remaining**

Each consultation includes an assessment on your horses hoof boot needs and ensuring these match the owner/riders, gait analysis, shell fittings for:

🐎 Scoot Boot
🐎 Equine Fusion
🐎 Cavello
🐎 Flex Hoof Boots
🐎 Explora horse boots
🐎 Swiss Galoppers

Following each consultation you are provided with a recommendation sheet detailing the best boots and sizes for your horse including an amazing discount code for The Hoof Boot Shop 🎊

Ideally your horse will be around halfway through their normal trimming cycle however this can vary and doesn't need to be set in stone.

Please send me a message for more information or to book a fitting.

Horses lanarkshire Argyll Horsey Stuff Ayrshire Horsey Stuff for Sale Horse stuff Helensburgh and surrounding areas Horsey Stuff For Sale East Kilbride And Surrounding Horse Chit Chat Ayrshire 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Horsey stuff for sale Renfrewshire

30/10/2024

*Alert - Strangles - Renfrewshire*

I have received an alert from Scot Equine - there has been an outbreak of STRANGLES in Renfrewshire.

I'd like to share that alert as the spread of strangles is preventable and I'd urge anyone I come into contact with as an Equine Podiatrist to let me know in advance if your horse has been to Renfrewshire recently or is exhibiting any strangles symptoms.

I'd much rather reschedule your appointment and take relevant additional biosecurity precautions than put anyone at risk.

**************************************

Although strangles is a non-notifiable disease, the Scottish Government recommends the Strategy to Eradicate and Prevent Strangles (STEPS) (https://www.bhs.org.uk/media/bebnofwq/steps-to-eradicate-and-prevent-strangles-leaflet-edits-jan-24.pdf) as set out by the British Horse Society (BHS), which highlights the key requirements for good biosecurity practices designed to tackle this particular disease.

Further information on strangles can be found on the BHS website here 👉
https://www.bhs.org.uk/horse-care-and-welfare/health-care-management/horse-health/equine-diseases/strangles/

Despite the severity of strangles, most horses will fully recover on their own, but some can remain persistently infected. Strangles can be easily spread directly through horse to horse contact and indirectly through contaminated equipment, handler clothing and boots.

The Scottish Government website also contains general advice on biosecurity for horses.

Strangles is one of the most common diseases diagnosed in horses worldwide, affecting any age, s*x or breed. We see around 600 UK outbreaks each year.