Deryn Davies - Barefoot Hoof Care, Rehab and Training

10/10/2024

Formal research is insanely limited. If we limit ourselves to a practice based on evidence from peer-reviewed studies only, then our practice is that limited.

It should inform our practice, not limit it.

I love research. I am constantly browsing pubmed and the others, but it’s just a brick in the whole wall.

The patient experience and the practitioners knowledge are equally important and should equally inform.

If something works for a patient, but I’m not willing to continue that modality because it’s not “evidence based” then why am I even treating them.

Research takes an average of 20 years to “catch up” with what is working in the field.

I have done research in grad school, I do not enjoy the process and some of the very most brilliant people I know feel the exact same way.

That means there are brilliant practitioners literally changing and improving lives every day that are not actually doing formal research. They don’t want to jump the hoops. They’d rather continue changing lives with boots on the ground.

I see hoof care practitioners keeping hundreds of horses sound and teaching the masses how to do so, without any peer reviewed and published evidence of their work. That's valuable research too.

Formal research has a limited scope in what it includes per study. Research questions have to be targeted and very often will overlook the whole body connection.

We need more research for so many modalities in horses and I hope more practitioners choose to do so, but I won’t be “waiting” on it to make horses feel better.

Don’t be stubborn about trying new things. Take the class, try the thing, and see what results you get.

The power of your intention is always a factor as well.

Research should inform our practice, not limit it.

📸 I love this application by Topline Equine Services, LLC

26/09/2024

Current Hoofcare Pricing Categories:

This system is designed to reflect my varied clientele and the time/toll each appointment takes on my tools and body. It is very important to me that each of you get fair value for money.

Timings are a guide and the categories are based on hoof size rather than horse size, for example, a 15hh tb might be priced as small whereas a 15hh hw cob might be priced as large.

If your horse is unable to stand quietly/utilise the stand because they are fearful, young or stiff for example, this will increase the time/effort required and the appointment will be charged at a higher rate accordingly.

23/09/2024

Fun little ponies carefully produced for the competent novice.

15/09/2024

More on heels.

This is a David Landreville- On the Vertical image and it perfectly illustrates the difference between what I would call ‘False’ heel height and ‘True’ heel height.

In both the top and bottom images, the space between the weight bearing surface of the heels (blue) and the hair line (green) is very similar so literally speaking, the ‘heel height’ measurable in cms from ground to hairline is much the same. You might argue that as the ‘angles are correct’ all is well with both images.

However, there are two very significant differences from the perspective of foot health:

1) In the first image, at the start of the rehab process, the hair line (green) has a noticeable ’W’ shape, this is a clear indication that the soft tissues within the back of the foot have been lost and the foot is essentially collapsing in on itself. The second image shows the same foot after two years of correct trimming, at which point the hairline (green) is almost completely straight in shape, this tells us that the soft tissues have been restored and are once again supporting the back of the foot.

2) In the first image, the surface of the frog (red) is quite literally touching the hairline (green) at what is supposed to be the frogs deepest point. The surface of the frog (red) is also way below the weight bearing surface of the heels (blue) meaning it cannot receive any ground stimulation. The second image shows that after two years of correct trimming, the surface of the frog (red) is now far closer to the weight bearing surface of the heels (blue) than it is to the hairline (green) meaning frog depth is significantly increased and ground stimulation is consistent.

Essentially after two years of rehab, the overall height in the back of the foot is no longer coming from the length of hoof horn but rather the depth in the soft tissue. This foot is now able to function correctly and support the whole limb.

07/09/2024

Building height at the back of the foot.

You hear this spoken about a lot and here it is in action, four trims between these two photos, and this horse has built a significant amount of heel height.

Left hind, 18yo Arab X

06/09/2024

Tiniest client to date 🥹

30/07/2024

✨SOLD✨

Many Thanks for all the interest.

Princess 🦄 👑 (AKA Prinnie)

🐴 2009 WPB coloured mare
🐴 14.2hh
🐴 Low level PC/RC/all rounder
🐴 Based in Ipstones, Staffordshire
🐴 5️⃣5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣🥕 (with fitted saddle)
🐴 Open to vet

We have lovely hacking facilities, a small indoor and can also box to a larger outdoor.

Princess has recently come to me on schooling/sales livery and is proving to be a sweet and willing all rounder. She is much loved by her former jockey who is simply ready to move onto something more advanced.

Princess would suit a competent novice coming off of riding school ponies however, she is improving rapidly in consistent, correct work and so I believe she would also do well with someone wanting something very safe that with time, they can bring up to a higher level.

- Princess has been consistently ridden by novices and is safe and sensible in all environments without being total a plod.
- Hacks alone and in company.
- Good with feet
- Loads, travels and stands at the trailer calmly
- Will pop a single fence up to 1m and short courses up to 70cm as things stand.

Princess is a quiet pony who appreciates quiet, gentle handling, I have not found her to be marish or challenging in anyway.
We would all love to see this sweet girl in her forever home.

25/04/2024