Natural Neddies Equine Podiatry

26/01/2025

Yay, Hoof Boot Fitting training day for the students at Areion Academy, big thanks to The Hoof Boot Shop for supplying us with a wide range of actual boots, so the students could see how the styles actually suit and fit specific breeds and conformation. Not all boots fit all feet!

20/01/2025

Super pleased with this little lady today. Ellie has struggled with having her feet trimmed ever since I started seeing her, which is quite a few years ago. She has had numerous investigations, treatments, vets visits etc to get to the bottom of her physical problems and although she tries hard to stand well, she usually really struggles with her posture whilst being trimmed.

Today however, she stood like a Rock! She stood square throughout, she was much more settled and comfortable having her feet done!

So she gets early Star of the week!!!!

Will be interesting to find out what’s made the difference! I’ve changed my trim style to that of David Landreville- On the Vertical and it’s certainly improved her feet no end!

13/01/2025

Very pleased to announce that I will be attending David Landreville- On the Vertical UK clinic this summer. It’s all about learning, sharing ideas and techniques. Never become complacent and never shun someone else’s ideas unless you’ve tried and tested them out!

Don’t Get Mad
Get Grid

The remedy for long toe/low heels is the same as for any hoof pathology: rebuild the hoof capsule to be properly aligned around the coffin bone.

This means you need to achieve growth/wear equilibrium by trimming to simulate the miles of natural wear a horse would get…if they could do it on their own.

Hoof health and alignment has more to do with proper weight distribution than diet, environment, or even movement. The hoof grows 1 mm every 3 days. You can use that to help the horse’s weight work for them ( the way it was designed ) or you can let it work against them.

The writing is on the wall. Read the grid.

You don’t need expensive technology to see the position of P3 within the hoof capsule. Learning to read the grid is a good place to start.

-The coronary band ( hairline ) should have a clean natural arch from an elevated digital cushion, lateral cartilages, and live sole.
-The growth rings should be parallel from the hairline to the ground contact points.
-The horn tubules should be undeviated and parallel to the dorsal wall - all the way to the heels.

Simply shortening the toes and flattening the heels to a height that establishes a preconceived favorable hoof pastern axis and palmar angle is an old farrier technique ( whether you’re leaving the horse shod or barefoot ) that only props up the DC on jammed up high heels and forces the horse to toe load ( think of wearing high heel shoes ). Every horse owner and hoof practitioner should have an understanding of this so they can keep each other accountable for their part of this fundamental responsibility…the structural and functional soundness of the horse.

Good or bad changes don’t always show up in a following trim or two so documenting long term progress is critical to learning.

12/01/2025

So you can all get a feel of what the practical side of the course looks like. My toes are still frozen though from being outside all weekend in the minuses and I can really sympathise with my clients who get cold, whilst I am sweating and melting away trimming your horses!

11/01/2025

So most of you already know, but now it’s official. When I’m not trimming your horses, I am teaching other people to become professional Equine Podiatrists, so they can trim lots more horses.

I am very pleased to be able to share that the very fabulous Tracey Pettipher has officially joined the Areion Academy team as a tutor!

Everyone, Meet Tracey!

Tracey has been a full-time qualified Equine Podiatrist for the last nine years.

In her previous work life, she worked in a variety of Customer Service roles for BT, from climbing telegraph poles to project managing multimillion pound fibre optic cables, managing teams of engineers and delivering training within the industry.

Her passion though lies with Horses, a keen equestrian since the age of 5, it was one of her beloved Ponies that took her into the realms of Equine Podiatry 12 years ago. She was so fascinated by the holistic approach to hoof care, she quit the corporate world and became a professional EP.

Tracey specialises in rehabilitation, successfully supporting the rehab of dozens and dozens of Laminitis and other lameness cases, many that had been deemed too far gone by other professionals in the industry.

She loves working with and teaching people, her easy going and approachable nature, alongside her experience in both the corporate and equine world, makes her perfect for transferring her Equine Podiatry knowledge and experience to the future generations of Equine Podiatrists that have chosen to train with Areion Academy.

23/12/2024

Well that’s it folks, I’ve just trimmed my last pre Xmas horse. I have a few horses to fit in between Xmas and the new year, thanks to the flu, but apart from that I will be back to work on January 3rd. I would like wish all my clients and followers a wonderful Christmas and also name my Star of the year as Cazique and his lovely owner Sara. Cazique is always perfectly behaved and Sara always makes sure he is spotlessly clean for my appointments! Thank you!

07/12/2024

A very worthwhile read. You have to consider the whole horse when balancing its feet!

🙌Serious question. Are you being manipulated by propaganda?🙌

Are you desperate to help your horse and are being drawn to an organisation or individual claiming they have all the information and only their way can help your horse?

It can be attractive, enticing, create hope and the promise of support and security - but is it really all this? Will it ultimately help optimise your horses wellbeing for a long and comfortable life?

Question everything. Including what you read and see here. Be extremely discerning when making decisions for and acting on behalf of your horse or the horses in your care.

Propaganda definition according to AI: “Propaganda is a form of communication that uses biased information to influence public opinion and behavior. It can include facts, arguments, rumors, half-truths, or lies. Propaganda is often used to promote a particular political or moral cause or point of view”…….

In the 90’s, the RSPCA successfully prosecuted BOTH trimmers and horse owners for causing unnecessary suffering to horses in their care. Strasser trimmers really believed that what they were doing was in the best interest of horses. Lessons were learned. Not only can you inadvertently and unintentionally cause harm to your horse by making inappropriate choices, but you (trimmer or owner) could also face prosecution under animal welfare law.

I have a vast library of documentation which leads me to my current opinion and POV that many horses are being inappropriately trimmed, shod or worn, leading to increased prevalence of pathology and lameness. Many rehab cases I become involved in could have been prevented. And prevention is always better than cure.

I frequently share my thoughts and the documentation and objective data gathered during and after consults. The evidence arguably demonstrates horses with improved posture, development and soundness. Modern farriery and podiatry science links unhealthy hoof morphology (form + function) to increased risk of lameness. Fact, not fiction. Balanced reason, not supposition and propaganda.

I have yet to see quality peer reviewed science linking unhealthy hoof morphology, posture and development to an increased incidence of soundness.

I repeat, I have yet to see quality peer reviewed science linking unhealthy hoof morphology, posture and development to an increased incidence of soundness.

Yogi Sharp The Equine Documentalist recently discussed objectivity in his post and I think calls to question the importance of objectivity in the industry: https://www.facebook.com/theequinedocumentalist/posts/pfbid02LoVFva9m8G17d9nfJkRq8TXsiWnkyp5mVuHKVvvYY892eBvcKyHo622AG86LzsRtl I believe objectivity is incredibly valuable both to the horse, the owner, the hoof care professional, the horses team, for advancement of the science, the continued evolution and improvement of the industry and not least of all, to optimise the quality of life of both horse and owner.

If you have solid evidence of an alternative POV about what constitutes balance in the hoof or horse, and how to achieve this, I’m all about the facts and am a geek for knowledge and learning new information. I invite you to PM me if you would like to discuss this with me. I am willing to be wrong and re-evaluate what I think I know, for this has worked for me in the past, and has benefitted me as as a human being, horse guardian and equine professional.

I have adapted my entire approach to trimming horses in order to find the very best ways to support both healthy hoof and horse over the decades. While I value study of the hoof, I equally value study of the entire horse. We do after all, trim horses, not hooves.

I am led by signs of comfort, healthy resting posture, efficient and balanced movement and signs of healthy well nourished hooves. This can only occur in a horse with healthy neuromuscular system and a healthy autonomic nervous system.

If a horse is working hard just to stay upright due to inappropriate hoof morphology/balance, this disrupts neuromuscular health and leads too feelings of tension, anxiety and discomfort over time.

I have been fearful of speaking out about this for some time, for fear of being attacked, as I have seen my peers experience the same. However, I personally believe I have a duty to call out bad behaviour and help defend the defenceless and vulnerable - both humans and animals. If I dont, am I not also part of the problem?'

And I cannot stay silent while harmful practices and behaviour continues. I will shower love on the situation while compassionately highlighting behaviour and practices which hurt people and horses. It’s who I am, body, mind and soul, and why I am here.

I cannot stop another from making a choice for their horse because I value free will and autonomy. However I might help another come to their own more informed decision by encouraging self awareness, open mindedness to new information, and confidence through empowerment.

How can you discern if another person or organisation has what you truly need for your highest potential, and that of your horse?

Look out for another episode of conversations with compassionate equestrianism where this topic will be explored!

My advice? You're welcome to it: Stay grounded, with an open heart and with your head in the clouds, seek always to think and act from a place of internal alignment with self, carry yourself with dignity and integrity, be honest with yourself and others, and most of all, bring love of self and for all beings into any situation you find yourself in.

Know that you are loved. I love you. I want the best for you, and for your horse, for our mutual evolution, growth and benefit.

NB - The picture is a slide from our upcoming webinar where we will be dispelling a few myths and offering a balanced view on contentious topics abound in the industry today! https://www.holisticequine.co.uk/event-details/winter-hoof-and-horse-care-how-to-keep-horses-safe-sound-during-winter-months

www.holisticequine.co.uk - supporting and promoting compassionate equestrianism for the benefit of all 💚🐴🙏

26/11/2024

Grab a Black Friday boot bargain! If your are unsure on size, book me to come and find the perfect size and brand for your horse :)

We’ve decided to start our
⚫️BLACK FRIDAY SALE ⚫️
a little early this week….

Go and treat your horse to some new hoof boots this winter 🖤

🔗 https://thehoofbootshop.co.uk

25/11/2024

Highly recommend these awesome products!

Essentials Winter Horse Care Super Saver Pack1kg Hoof Clay - Natural and effective hoof clay.500ml Hoof Spray Cleanser - Easy to use spray antibacterial and antifungal hoof cleansing spray, great for flushing out debris and cleaning those hard to reach cracks and crevices.500ml Neem Guard - Mud and....

21/11/2024

Wow! What an awesome video, remember it takes 9-12 months to grow a new hoof capsule, so one of the biggest assets in your rehab tool box is time and patience:)

14/11/2024

Little update for all my clients and followers, as you are aware of my decision to reduce my days out trimming, to preserve my back for as long as possible!
Well, what will I be doing on the days that I am not trimming? Offering Sports & Rehabilitation massage in the new year 🙂
My case studies are now in full swing and I cannot wait to be able to offer this essential modality as part of my repertoire! Whole Horse Health 🐴🐴🐴

12/11/2024

Early star 🌟 of the week, goes to Louis, for his good behaviour! He’s normally an opinionated cob! Coupled with the fact he’s just moved yards and been in all day waiting for his appointment, I was wasn’t relishing in the fact I had to trim him. I had a manic day, he was No 7, his Brother Topper who is normally impeccably behaved, decided to actually behave like a classic Hafflinger! I still had No 8 to get to before it got dark, and well Louis was a very good boy! Thank you Louis for not making my back ache!

11/11/2024

Love a bit of British banter!

😭

10/11/2024

Highly recommend this course to anyone considering a well paid career in the equine industry. So many people want to live their dream of working with horses, yet cannot afford to either give up their office jobs or work for minimum wage as a groom. This comprehensive and robust 2.5yr course, will allow you to turn your dreams into a reality! If you love horses, are fascinated in whole horse rehab or simply want to get out of the rat race in corporate society and have a passion for delivering excellence, this course is for you!

Comprehensive Training for Hoof Care Professionals