The Equine Hoof Care Specialist

The Equine Hoof Care Specialist Offering podiatry ranging from barefoot trimming to bespoke hoof wear for rehabilitation.

Celebrating 20 years experience and a transition from traditional farriery to my specialism in barefoot hoof care.

13/03/2025

Hi everyone!

I just had an important reminder that pages can sometimes be taken down without warning. Since so many of you are interested in the new hoof boots, I want to make sure we can stay connected no matter what.

I’m planning to create a website and set up an email list so I can keep you updated. If you’d like to stay in the loop, feel free to PM me your email address. There’s absolutely no obligation, but I’d love to keep you informed about the latest developments.

Thank you all for your support!

I’ve been gathering like-minded people from different groups on Facebook who kindly responded to my polls and posts beca...
11/03/2025

I’ve been gathering like-minded people from different groups on Facebook who kindly responded to my polls and posts because exciting times are ahead! I want to share this journey with those who are passionate about horse hooves, optimal movement, and hoof boots, specifically, making horses more comfortable and owners' lives easier.
First, I want to thank those who have been following my page for a while, your support means the world. And to those who have just joined after I reached out, I truly appreciate your trust and interest. Welcome!
I’m excited to share some important updates with you all about the new hoof boots.
I’d love this to be an open forum because your feedback is incredibly valuable as we move forward. I want to read your thoughts on the information I share, your insights will play a key role in shaping what’s to come.
To start, let’s talk about the hoof boots currently on the market and where we believe improvements can be made. I’m excited to dive into this discussion with you all! Please share your thoughts so that this isn't just about what I have to say, we’re in this together.
I'll kick things off...
This is one of my favorite pictures because Jasper was patiently standing while I tried every fit kit I had on board to find the best fitting boot. This process is time-consuming and costly for horse owners, not to mention the challenges that come with fit. Even if we succeed in finding a boot that fits today, there’s no guarantee it will still fit properly tomorrow.
What are your experiences with hoof boots? Have you faced similar struggles?

21/02/2025

As we know farriery is an ancient craft that is rooted in tradition, stretching back thousands of years, but for me, my job is anything but old-fashioned. Working with horses isn’t just my job, it’s a passion that’s driven me to think beyond tradition and embrace innovation.
I’ve spent my farriery career helping horses stay sound and comfortable, combining traditional skills with modern science to ensure the best outcomes for them and their hooves. Every horse is different, and finding the right solution for each one, whether it’s barefoot, hoof boots, or something more permanent, it’s a challenge I’ve always loved.

Along the way, I’ve noticed something: the tools and techniques we rely on in farriery haven’t kept up with the times. Steel shoes, as effective as they’ve been, haven’t fundamentally changed since Roman times. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to rethink how we approach hoof protection.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing more about a new barefoot hoof boot that I’ve developed, a modern, forward-thinking alternative that prioritises comfort, movement, and practicality. It’s a project I’m incredibly proud of, and I can’t wait to share more with you.

Thank you for following along. I know horses are a big part of your life too, and probably love innovation where they are involved, so I think you may be curious about where this journey is headed, I hope you’ll find the weeks to come very interesting.

21/02/2025

Farriery is an ancient craft that is rooted in tradition, stretching back thousands of years, but for me, my job is anything but old-fashioned. Working with horses isn’t just my job, it’s a passion that’s driven me to think beyond tradition and embrace innovation.
I’ve spent my farriery career helping horses stay sound and comfortable, combining traditional skills with modern science to ensure the best outcomes for them and their hooves. Every horse is different, and finding the right solution for each one, whether it’s barefoot, hoof boots, or something more permanent, it’s a challenge I’ve always loved.

Along the way, I’ve noticed something: the tools and techniques we rely on in farriery haven’t kept up with the times. Steel shoes, as effective as they’ve been, haven’t fundamentally changed since Roman times. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to rethink how we approach hoof protection.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing more about a new barefoot hoof boot that I’ve developed, a modern, forward-thinking alternative that prioritises comfort, movement, and practicality. It’s a project I’m incredibly proud of, and I can’t wait to share more with you.

Thank you for following along. Whether you work with horses, love innovation, or are just curious about where this journey is headed, I hope you’ll find something of interest in the weeks to come.

Barefoot farriery will always be the first choice as far as I am concerned, for all the reasons that we know so well. Ho...
22/04/2024

Barefoot farriery will always be the first choice as far as I am concerned, for all the reasons that we know so well. However, my first thought is longevity and soundness for the horse. For some horses, being barefoot isn't a good fit at a certain time.
I love that even though 'I' think that barefoot is the way, nature sometimes says "not for this horse, not in this situation, Tom. Try harder, think deeper". I love that nature doesn't obey! :-)
I fitted these shoes recently ( I know, you read right!) I fitted a pair of fronts for this dear boy, due to his laminitis. I believe this was the best thing for him at this time. These shoes are plastic with no steel insert which means that they flex with the hoof despite being nailed on. The great thing about these shoes is that they are like the 'Nike trainer' of the horseshoes, instead of the 'rigid clog like' steel shoes that we are used to. I nailed these on as I didn't think epoxy glue would cope for long, in our current climate. The plastic even absorbed the concussion of the nailing process. His Bute is being reduced as we speak and he looks much more comfortable.

Hoof cracks can be tricky to deal with because they can be a symptom of a number of different causes. Understanding the ...
06/03/2024

Hoof cracks can be tricky to deal with because they can be a symptom of a number of different causes. Understanding the cause of the crack is the key to understanding how to support the hoof to heal.The hoof crack that you can see here was a sand crack (extending from the coronet to the ground). The heel quarter was mobile from the rest of the hoof, which caused pain when standing. Luckily, I was able to stabilise the crack and nature did the rest.

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Tavistock
Plymouth
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