Kelly Brown Equine Podiatrist

14/01/2025

Frogs almighty 🫶🏼

As a rule I leave the callous alone and take only what’s needed. In this case only bars and toe bevel. For a few months now I’ve had to trim most frogs, which were tatty, harbouring thrush or just shedding layers that were hanging on by a thread. It’s a seasonal common occurence. I think most are done shedding now, and I’m finally seeing mostly healthy frogs that don’t need help or intervention

11/01/2025

Spirit! The first photo was taken in October 2019. He had pretty flat, thin soles, central sulcus problems in his hinds (and was not keen to be trimmed, let alone to have central sulcuses packed and photos taken). Fast forward 4.5 years and he has great concavity, healthy frogs and decent soles. We’ve battled a while with tiny fissures in the inner wall, but he’s been on Finer Forage/supplements this year, restricted grazing and everything has improved a lot. Really pleased to look back and see the difference. Sorry there aren’t more pics from back then but he asked me to respect his space so I did. Doing great now though! He’s such a sweet little chap 🫶🏼

09/01/2025

Horses are sentient and they have feelings too. I wanted to tell you about a few good people from around the world that have really inspired me lately. These are people I have never met, but who sincerely have tried to help their horses and restored a little of my faith in humanity. My part in this is very minimal, but these people all questioned what was working for their horses, and what they could do to help... Firstly, Emilie in France took the shoes off her horse recently, and fitted boots with pads. I received a very excited video message last week to say the horse was landing heel first and moving very differently. She was THRILLED for her horse, because this small detail says a lot about comfort, and physical health. Not because it means she can ride. Not because of cost benefits. Just because her horse is healing. Then there is Martina in Croatia. She had the shoes removed last May, and switched into boots. She’s been through stages of bruising, discovered side bone and they are both finally thriving now that her horse has had time simply to heal. She would make a great trimmer, because in her own words she would love the opportunity to help others to help horses. I get to see little updates from her often, and I love them. And last but not least there’s Sadiq in Bahrain, who last year questioned whether it was the right thing to do to keep trying to help his horse who was in pain. Let me tell you - he did so much research, that his dedication alone was inspiring. I pointed him towards Pete Ramey and Bob Bowker, and today I cried watching a video of his beloved horse move so well. Sadiq really got his head around understanding how the pedal bone is sitting low, how that affects comfort and how to reverse it by trimming, all whilst questioning whether this was right or fair 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 Today he sent me a video with the caption: “I just don’t want him to suffer pain again”. I am SO proud of those two 🩶

So on behalf of three horses, thank you guys for putting their needs and comfort at the top of your list, and thank you for bringing me along on part of your journey. I can only hope that others will see their horses through your eyes. With love 🩶

09/01/2025

The first photo is November and January.

He missed a trim in december due to being in hospital, but his hoof capsule has changed quite dramatically with no interference from me until today. The rest of the photos are October when his shoes came off vs today … 🩶

08/01/2025

Gorgeous little horse, with stonking feet. ***HE DOESNT BELONG TO ME, I JUST TRIM HIS FEET. PLEASE USE THE NUMBER ON THE AD TO CONTACT HIS OWNER

07/01/2025

I haven’t increased prices for a few years, but with the cost of living rise, now seems as good a time as any. I say it every day: “Thanks for having me”, and people always laugh but the truth is, I really appreciate all of you 🩶

07/01/2025

If you are in Norfolk: Adam is looking for horses with pathologies to take on as case studies. If you have a horse who may qualify, then contact him directly.

🐴 Looking for 4 Equines with Hoof Pathologies to Join My Case Study Program! 🐴

As part of my Equine Podiatry Level 5 Diploma, I am required to trim and document a portfolio of 4 equines with hoof pathologies. So I’m seeking 4 equines (horses, or one donkey/mule) to use as part of this case study program. Ideally, I’m looking for horses with pathological hooves (e.g., laminitis or the damage as a result of laminitis, navicular, capsule shift, unstable cracks, club foot, or other issues), but I can also include one donkey or mule, whether or not they have a pathology.

📚 As a student Equine Podiatrist, all case studies will be overseen by my mentor, Kelly Brown Equine Podiatrist a fully qualified and experienced Equine Podiatrist.

✨ What’s Involved?
* The case study will run for 6 months, giving me plenty of time to work on improving your equine’s hooves.
* At the end of the case study, it’s entirely your choice whether you’d like to stay on as a client.
* As this is part of my studies, I will be offering these services at a discounted rate.

📍 Requirements:
* Horses must have a hoof pathology that requires rehabilitation, but donkeys or mules can be included regardless of hoof condition.
* Your horse must remain available to me for the full 6-month period.
* Located in Norfolk or nearby areas (if multiple case studies are at the same yard or close to each other).

If you’re interested or think your horse, donkey, or mule might be suitable, please feel free to message me for more details. Let’s work together to give your equine healthier, happier hooves!

02/01/2025

You might remember this one - she blew a huge abscess out of her frog and coronet band, probably due to a large toe crack. At this point, it looks as though the entire sole was affected and one side has peeled away. The new sole underneath is pretty thin, and thrush has bedded into the cavity. She can go out but needs added protection while that new sole is so weak. She’ll wear a boot/dry poultice to prevent further bruising/damage from stones and regular disinfecting to prevent the thrush. Movement (circulation and stimulation) will encourage faster healing, so hopefully the new sole will thicken pretty fast. The original crack has been packed again with red horse hoof stuff but the cavity is smaller since today’s trim which is a good sign

01/01/2025

As promised!! Proud to have mentored Adam 👌🏽Please follow his page, he’s in Norfolk

Welcome, and thank you for visiting!

I am a fully insured student Equine Podiatrist and Hoof Boot fitter based in Norfolk, committed to promoting the health and well-being of horses through evidence-based hoof care. I am currently studying a LANTRA-recognised and OFQUAL-regulated Level 5 Diploma in Equine Podiatry with Equine Podiatry Training Ltd (EPT), and I am a proud student member of the Equine Podiatry Association (EPA).

With over a decade of experience as a Barefoot Trimmer, my journey began with training under a farrier, which gave me a solid foundation in hoof care. Since becoming a student of Equine Podiatry, my knowledge and skills have significantly expanded, enabling me to approach hoof care with a deeper understanding and a more refined, science-based methodology.

Alongside my podiatry expertise, I have spent more than 10 years working as a horse handler, addressing a wide range of equine behavioural challenges. This experience has provided me with a deep understanding of equine behaviour, horsemanship, and the individual needs of each horse I work with.

My approach is rooted in a holistic understanding of equine welfare, combining my practical experience and ongoing education to provide tailored support for every horse. Whether it's helping with hoof health, fitting the right boots, or addressing behavioural concerns, my goal is to enhance your horse's comfort, soundness, and happiness.

I look forward to sharing more about my journey and working with you to support the health and well-being of your horses. Please feel free to get in touch with any questions or to schedule an appointment—I’d be delighted to help!

01/01/2025

Shared at the request of the owner. I saw this horse early in december, and his hooman thought it was important that others learn from their experience.

If your boot fitter doesn’t understand hooves on a scale of pathological to decent, how would they know the type of boot that would best suit the horse? Example: the above mentioned horse has been on a 4 week shoeing cycle because the hooves grow faster than average and he’s been in remedial shoes to correct negative angles in his hinds. It is assumed that this npa is a result of suspensory injuries, kissing spines and/or hock arthritis. He’s recently retired and in his early twenties, so the farrier, who the owner is very happy with recommended taking the shoes off, but on the condition he went into boots to help his soles improve, while in hand walking on hard surfaces as recommended by the vet. The farrier doesnt carry fit kits, hence why the owner sought a boot fitter. Only at the appointment did she learn that the fitter is your average horse owner that has never studied hooves. So, firstly scoots do not offer the protection or shock absorption that this horse needs. The heels are really low, so the trimmed foot sits too low in the boot, making it too big behind, and in order to encourage a horse to move comfortably he needs cushioning under those thin soles. Her farrier thankfully helped her to try on the boots immediately after the trim, and he saw off the bat that these boots were completely inappropriate. So, now he’s in a cavallo trek which has a thick soles, a therapy pad that will stimulate all solar surfaces and encourage the foot to improve, and he can walk on the stone track to and from the field with no issues. The TYPE of boot is so important. The TYPE of fitter is equally important. I love that more farriers are carrying fit kits now (and her farrier is booked onto a fitting course, yay!), but the lesson here is, even if the farrier can’t get to you for a few weeks, he’s got the peripheral knowledge that Sally from Iowa who fits boots on the side simply doesn’t have.

01/01/2025

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Back in november were very generous in sending me a big box of goodies, to help raise money for - my favourite charity/501c over in Uruguay. Dan pulled some names out of the hat today. Winners are:
Helen Fletcher
Kayleigh Ockendon
Alison Waller
Ange Moore
Emma Perkins
Rebecca Sketchley-King
Shelley Brady
Rhonda Simmons

Massive thanks to Red Horse, and to every single person who donated! You guys helped raise £402 for The Last Ark 🩶🐴🦄 🫶🏼

30/12/2024

Laminitis can leave hooves in a mess. In this case there is no current inflammation of the laminae, but a few months back she had some acute sink, rotation and gas pockets. This led to a laminar wedge, and blowing abscesses out of both fronts multiple times. Today i attended with her vet to trim under sedation, and we found some thrush pockets in the white line (seedy toe) in the front left. These were flushed out with red horse sole cleanse and packed with hoof stuff to kill any thrush and prevent mud from getting back in there. At the same time, after scraping a little pressure point off the sole at the toe, i found a current, actively draining abscess. I’ll never get used to that smell 🙈 It’s important not to pack abscess holes if they are still draining, so this one was left open. She’ll have a poultice on until it’s dried up, and for 3 days after that to give the hoof a chance to produce repair horn.

30/12/2024

An abscess that blew out the coronet band can cause significant damage to the tissue behind the wall, but as it grows out there will usually be a section of wall that isn’t really attached to the internal structures because the abscess itself caused a disconnect. What you see here is the pocket the abscess once filled, the wall that’s detached, and the repair horn that’s sealed the hole. It’s not pretty, but it’s preventing reinfection. He’s a horse who can be difficult to trim, so i didn’t top dress his hoof at the last visit. He has a little defect in a tubule or two at the toe which i didn’t spot at the last visit, so that’s been trimmed out today (outer wall only, pretty superficial), and treated with field paste.

22/12/2024

Still receiving donations for the last ark today. You guys are the best!! The response has been either “what a worthy organisation”, or “I love red horse stuff”. A few of you have said you’re donating in place of Christmas cards, which is a really lovely idea.

Whatever your motivation, I’m thankful. And the biggest thanks of all to who sent me a box full of treasure a month back. Please follow their account, they are currently running loads of giveaways. They are also a small family business, who use natural ingredients and gladly support charities like this one every chance they get 🫶🏼

21/12/2024

If you need inspiration in the darkest depths of winter, let it be from Megan.

So proud 💪🏼🩶

21/12/2024

I am soaked to my skin and I have the cold in my bones, but thanks so much to everybody who has fed and watered me this morning. And especially for unexpected gifts on top of donating (very generously, yes YOU Angela and Becky!) to

It’s a wonderful feeling, to be trusted with your furry friends’ hoof health, and I feel appreciated, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. On dark and miserable days, I remind myself how thrilled ten year old me would be to see me now, and to know I’m surrounded by such good, thoughtful people. It’s been a long week but I’m very happy with where life has brought me. I have a few more horses to see over the next couple of days before taking a break, but this is probably my last post for a week or two. Happy winter solstice to the northern hemisphere, and thank you again for being so kind, I really appreciate you, especially on days like today 🫶🏼

19/12/2024

Track liveries in warwickshire and leicestershire? Please tell me what you know of and state whether grass or grass free. Also, ems/laminitis friendly livery setups would be good to know too. I’ve had so many people ask me lately 🤞🏽

18/12/2024

I posted progress photos of Cheyenne’s left fore last week, but here’s the other front.