Emily Whelan - Equine Podiatrist

17/04/2025

31/03/2025

As the days get longer and the temperature rises, spring grass undergoes a rapid growth phase — but this lush, green growth can have a hidden impact on your horse's hooves.
Grass naturally produces sugars (non-structural carbohydrates or NSCs) during photosynthesis to fuel its growth.

In early spring, these sugar levels can spike, particularly during sunny days followed by cold nights — a weather pattern common at this time of year. The sugars are stored in the grass until the plant can use them for growth, making spring grass far richer in sugar than many owners realise.

Horses that consume too much sugary grass are at higher risk of developing hoof sensitivity or even laminitis, especially if they are already prone to metabolic conditions like Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or PPID (Cushing's).

Some subtle signs that your horse may be feeling the effects of spring grass include:

• Increased hoof tenderness on hard or stony ground
• Reluctance to move forward under saddle
• A faint digital pulse at the back of the fetlock
• Hoof rings that mirror diet changes from weeks earlier
• Increased flare or stretching at the white line due to inflammation

Careful grazing management during spring can help protect barefoot hooves. Try:

• Introducing grazing gradually to allow the horse's gut to adjust
• Using strip grazing or a track system to limit grass intake without restricting movement
• Providing low-sugar hay before turnout to reduce hunger-driven grass intake
• Turning out horses in the early morning or late evening when sugar levels are lower

By keeping a close eye on both diet and hoof health, owners can help their barefoot horses thrive through the spring season.

If you are unsure or suspect that your horse may be experiencing hoof sensitivity, please consult your veterinarian and collaboratively work with your hoof care professional.

11/03/2025

Transformation Tuesday – Creating an Environment that promotes Health & Healing!

Given the right environment, the body has an incredible ability to heal and I'm so pleased with how these little feet are coming along.

If your horse isn’t thriving, Identifying and addressing the root cause—whether it’s diet, movement, environment, or underlying health issues—can make all the difference.

Here are key ways to help optimise your horse’s health and promote healing:

Detective Work – Isolate what might be holding your horse back. Look at diet, environment, stress levels, and any possible health concerns.

Movement – Hooves (and bodies) thrive on movement! Encourage natural, varied movement through turnout, enrichment, and exercise (providing your horse is comfortable).

Reduce Stress – A calm horse is a healthy horse. Minimise stressors like isolation, sudden changes, and restrictive environments.

Species-Appropriate Diet – A high-fiber, low-starch, and low-sugar diet, balanced with essential vitamins and minerals, is key to supporting a healthy gut. A well-functioning gut positively impacts hormone regulation, immune function, and nutrient absorption.

Social Interaction – Horses are herd animals! Connection and companionship are vital for mental and emotional well-being.

Time – True, lasting health improvements take time, patience, and consistency. Keep faith in the proces and give your horse the time they need to rebuild strength and resilience.

07/03/2025

Did You Know?

Fructans are a type of sugar found in grass that horses can't digest in their small intestine. Instead, Fructans pass through to the hindgut, where they ferment and produce gases and lactic acid. This fermentation process can disrupt the delicate balance of gut bacteria, triggering a cascade of events that may contribute to laminitis — a painful and potentially serious condition affecting the hooves.

The amount of Fructans in grass changes depending on the weather. Cold nights followed by bright sunny days cause grass to produce more sugars than it can use, storing the excess in the form of Fructans. This means that horses grazing in early spring, especially during frosty mornings or sunny afternoons, are exposed to higher sugar levels without owners even realising.

Managing grazing times and providing access to low-sugar forage can help protect the hooves from sugar-related inflammation. If your horse is prone to hoof sensitivity or has a history of laminitis, it's especially important to be aware of how seasonal grass changes could be affecting their feet.

19/02/2025

Did you know? The condition of a horse’s hooves can reflect their overall health. Nutritional deficiencies, metabolic issues, or laminitis can all show up in the hoof, making hoof health an important indicator for early intervention.

A healthy hoof should have a smooth wall, strong sole, and a clear well-connected white line. However, rings on the hoof wall, brittle or flaky hooves, or an overly stretched white line may signal issues such as poor nutrition, insulin resistance, or chronic inflammation. Conditions like laminitis or PPID (Cushing’s disease) often leave visible signs in the hoof, such as abnormal growth patterns or bruising. Regular hoof inspections by a qualified professional can provide early warnings of systemic health problems, allowing for timely management. Only a veterinarian can diagnose, so do speak to them if you suspect any of the above.

03/02/2025

Did you know? The white line of the hoof acts as a junction between the hoof wall and sole, providing both flexibility and strength. It’s also a barrier to bacteria and fungi, playing a vital role in protecting the hoof from infections like white line disease.

The white line is actually the inner layer of the hoof wall that binds the outer keratin layer to the sensitive laminae inside the hoof. This structure is crucial for the hoof’s integrity, as it allows the horse to bear weight and move with flexibility. Damage or stretching of the white line can compromise its barrier function, allowing pathogens to invade and cause infections such as white line disease or abscesses. Proper hoof hygiene and a balanced diet rich in balanced nutrients are key to maintaining a healthy, resilient white line.

27/01/2025

The Digital Cushion's Vital Role

Did you know that the digital cushion in a horse's hoof plays a crucial role in shock absorption and blood circulation? This unique structure is made up of a mix of elastic, fibrous, and fatty tissues. The digital cushion acts like a natural gel pad, helping to protect the bones and joints from impact while also aiding in the horse's overall hoof health.

20/01/2025

A little before and after:
Focusing on restoring and promoting central sulcus health in this pony's hooves.

If left unchecked, a deep central sulcus creates the perfect environment for bacteria and microbes to thrive, leading to compromised frog tissue which can eventually result in pain, discomfort, and even lameness in the worse cases.

To complete the treatment, "Hoof Stuff" was applied as a topical solution to help prevent dirt and bacteria 🦠 from accumulating in the central sulcus, supporting a cleaner and healthier environment for healing.

19/01/2025

Feet's of all shapes, sizes & health this weekend.
Some rock crunching long time barefooters 💪, one laminitis rehab and a first ever trim for one beautiful little lady.

14/01/2025

Proprioception and Hoof Health

Did you know that a horse's hoof contains specialised structures that contribute to proprioception? These structures help the horse sense the position and movement of its limbs, aiding in balance and coordination. Barefoot hooves with their natural form and function enhance this sensory feedback, promoting overall hoof health and mobility.

15/12/2024

The meaning of charity at Christmas.. this is a long post but please do take the time to read and share.

Recently, one of our wonderful customers, Hannah, sent us a pair of Cavallo Cute Little Boots that didn't suit her smallest equine. She asked us to find a new home for them as she had no use for them and wanted to donate them to someone in need.

Being based in the South West, we have several equine charities that are local to Hoof Bootique. However, due to the boots being so tiny (M1 Regular - 70cm maximum!) there was one charity that immediately came to mind. Everyone, please go and follow Munchkins Miniature Shetland Rescue.

Munchkins are currently caring for 62 of our smallest equine companions, many of whom have serious health conditions that mean they cannot be rehomed. We are sending Hannah's tiny hoof boots to them, so even if they do not fit any of their residents, they can auction them to raise much needed funds AND the hoof boots will find a new home.

On top of this, Cavallo themselves reached out to us asking if we had any stories we wished to share. We just had to tell them about Hannah's generosity! Cavallo have also offered to give Munchkins gift vouchers to auction off alongside the hoof boots, to try and raise as much money as possible this winter.

In the South West, we have recently suffered our first few winter storms and Munchkins were hit hard by Storm Bert. Their brand new track system, a lifeline for so many of their ponies, was all but destroyed! They have set up a Go Fund Me page, which we would appreciate being shared far and wide. If you can spare a few pounds this Christmas, please give these guys a chance to rebuild.

https://gofund.me/c90c44a6

Photo Credit: Lucas Barribal (seriously talented equine photographer!)

If you have hoof boots that are in good condition and you wish to donate them, please send them through to us (with a note so we know your wishes) and we'll do the rest. You can find our postal address here: https://hoofbootique.co.uk/returns-policy/

01/12/2024

A little hoof appreciation from this weekend ❤️.

28/11/2024

When looking at horses' feet, we rarely see ones that are perfectly symmetrical. Even if it is subtle, there may be a slightly steeper wall, or a side that is a bit more worn. At the end of a cycle, we can often see the way that hoof has worn over the last however many weeks - maybe a toe worn a bit to one side, or a flare creeping up if the cycle has been a bit long.

As a hoofcare provider, I am always looking to see what these patterns might be telling me, and how I can improve each horse's feet to the best of my ability with what that horse has for conformation, previous injuries, environment in regards to turn out, etc.

Because of this, I have always been fascinated with Ula Krzanowska's posts on "The Hoof Architect," and how Ula sees various patterns in feet and is able to identify them and label them to a specific conformation or how the body is put together above those feet. I reached out to her to chat about her architecture background, how it has helped her with hoofcare, and some common patterns she sees.

You can hear the entire conversation on any podcast app under "The Humble Hoof," or directly at this link: https://thehumblehoof.com/2024/11/22/recognizing-patterns-in-hooves/

And if you want to meet Ula in person, we have a few limited spots left for our clinic next year in Amesbury, MA! You can learn more and register at thehumblehoof.com/product/clinic .

Thank you to our amazing sponsors:

Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOF

Cavallo Hoof Boots is offering 15% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRN

A special shout out to Grid as New, Mud Control Grids – they are a game changer for any mud issues, big or small! – mudcontrolgrids.com

Also be sure to check out HayBoss Feeders – haybossfeeders.com – for all your slow-feeding needs. I get my Hay Boss feeders from Mountain Lane Farm in NH!

20/11/2024

17/11/2024

23/10/2024