Foot Perfect Equine Podiatry

26/07/2019

Hi guys, after getting many messages looking for my services, I thought I would update you all. In nutshell, I'm taking some time off trimming and now working full time. I've decided I need to find some stability in my current financial situation. I have now also moved, I live in Bristol now and have been for about a year and a half. I do hope to return to trimming as I do miss it but for now I've had to sacrifice this so I can be in a better position when I start up again. For anyone looking for EP's please check out the website for a list of qualified and student professionals.

17/12/2018

September 2017 - December 2018
What can be achieved with balanced trimming, diet adjustments and owner dedication. This pony came to me unsound after a tendon injury. She could barely put her left heel down or walk forward happily. Now after a year of gentle exercise, regular trims and one of the most dedicated owners I have, she is now completely sound and the happiest I have seen her. So pleased!

08/11/2018

Worth a stop by if you're at this event this weekend.

Your Horse Live 2018 starts on Friday. We'll be there with our stand all three days, from opening to closing each day.
Pop round to visit us on M156 in the marquee, with any hoof related questions you may have. While you are there, have a go at our quiz for the chance to win a £150 (!) voucher to spend at Online Equine

05/11/2018

I do love my job! Such healthy feet today

01/11/2018

Underrun heels is a very common problem, especially In horses that have been shod for a long period. Trimming is of course only part of the barefoot transition but, if done correctly, it can influence the development of structures that are lacking.

https://www.facebook.com/111133988916274/posts/2436014456428204/

A specific trimming technique increased the hoof's weight-bearing area and increased the heel angle.

25/10/2018

This is such old fashioned advice... Ad lib forage is the best way to ensure your horse stays happy and healthy.

How much hay do you need for the winter per horse??

09/10/2018

Continuing on from my previous post about varied diets... Did you know that wild horses spend 20% of their time foraging hedgerows and trees? We are told that they naturally have their heads down for grazing and we should encourage that behaviour. This is very true, however foraging gets the horse to use its muscles and posture differently than just head down, mowing the lawn activity. Varied grazing positions is something we can encourage. Offer haynets at different heights and getting the horse to stand on varied terrain such as up and down hills. Or just put them in a field where they can access hedgerows. 🌿☘🍀🌾🌲🌳🌱🍂🍃

07/10/2018

Even though you think that your horses have plenty of grass, it's important that you provide hay aswell, especially when it's cold and wet out. My two have chosen to eat the hay instead of the grass around them. Hay is like adding coal to the burner, heating the horse from the inside. It's good to offer them the choice as horses thrive on a varied diet. Not just grass.

27/09/2018

Now comes the time of year where owners are thinking of putting rugs on...that's right it's another rugging topic! But it's so important to remember that if you have an overweight horse (this means you can't feel ribs easily, there is a crest, fat pads etc) the winter will help! Horses are designed to lose weight during the winter months and gain a bit in the summer. Definitely don't put a rug on your native type, they are more than capable to cope with the "English" winter we get. By allowing them to use their fat stores, their metabolism will continue to function correctly... preventing EMS and laminitis. Only rug if you clip, would be my advice and even then a little bib clip on your Welsh won't necessarily mean you need to rug! So let them get chilly, this will encourage fat deposits to be used up plus added exercise to keep themselves warm. Hay is a vital addition in the field, by fermenting in the gut it releases heat from the inside, a nice little evolutionary hack!

23/09/2018

Why do you feed what you feed??? There are so many products on the market that "target" your particular equine friend. Whether that would be a native who requires a low calorie or anti-laminitic option, or your "typical" thoroughbred that doesn't do well in the winter so needs extra help. Alongside these base feeds you also come up against the supplement gang... these can also range from calmers, to joints, to muscle builders and balancers. It's such a mind field for you horse owners out there only ever wanting to do the best for your precious pony. The only true advice I can give you is to KEEP THINGS SIMPLE. Equine digestive system is designed with one basic need... FIBRE. This will keep the gut functioning correctly and prevent acid corrosion on stomach lining. Not only is fibre an essential for digestive purposes, it benefits the horse mentally too. A happy horse is one that has no limit on how often it chews long stemmed fibre material.. I.e. Hay. Feeding hay ad lib is an easy and effective method for keeping the horse happy and healthy. Now I'm not saying you can do this in the same way with a laminitic.. soaking the hay and double netting or using a trickle net will slow down consumption but will not stop him chewing and digesting. This is still ad lib 👍 just slowed down. Keeping it simple is the same for your bucket feed. Fibre again is the biggest help, a simple chaff with no molasses or added flavours (avoid molichaff or Apple chop) is a good basis to add your quality balancer and salt. Now if your horse needs help with weight over the winter I would question gut function to begin with, asses it and then see if a detox or gut balancer is required. Micronised linseed is a great option to help add weight without the additional need for sugar and starch. Avoid feeding large meals once or twice per day, the stomach can't digest hard feed as effectively as hay. It takes longer to process and can sometimes be bypassed together causing potential gut problems such as colic and leaky gut syndrome. Prevention is better than cure, feed what the horse is designed to digest, make sure they are receiving the right amounts of vitamins and minerals and don't forget your salt!

19/09/2018

Some of the healthiest feet on my books to come out of shoes. I absolutely love trimming these gorgeous tootsies. Owner says that he is no longer footy on stones and she rarely needs his boots now. I can see why... some serious hoof envy here! 😍🐴

23/08/2018

Just a heads up... I'm now on holiday until the second week of September. Very last minute but grabbed the opportunity!

12/08/2018

A phenomenal weekend. Continued learning and research for the good of the horse...the most important thing!

The Equine Podiatry Association was set up in 2006 to regulate and support EPs working in the UK. Members are highly qualified and regulated. Their work is constantly checked by their colleagues to ensure standards aren't slipping. To stay in the EPA, members have to do 40 hours of extra training each year. All members have to show they are fully insured (and all members have access to a very competitively priced, bespoke insurance policy). They also have access to a growing support network of colleagues who are highly qualified and experienced in many aspects of horse health including laminitis, navicular, nutrition, soil and plant ecology and a host of other areas. The EPA also provides additional training opportunities such as their bi-annual conference, organising trim days, dissection days and offering discounted access to courses run by Equine Podiatry Training Ltd. It maintains a list of members on the website www.epauk.org, has a strict code of practice and campaigns to promote the interests of its members. By choosing a member of the EPA to look after your horses' feet you can be assured that you have hired a properly trained and regulated practitioner.

12/08/2018

Another win for Magic 🏆

30/07/2018

This boy has gone from strength to strength. He didn't want to keep his shoes on so his owner thought why not listen to him? Clearly he knew what was best... The gorgeous Magic 😍🦄

14/06/2018

Magic strutting his stuff to win both of his Prelim classes... 6 months out of shoes and he's doing brilliantly! 🏇🥇

01/06/2018

Gem demonstrating perfectly that horses are browsers and don't just eat grass

25/05/2018

There are lots of little things you, as an owner, can you to keep your horse comfortable. Such as putting rubber mats in the areas where they stand e.g. under haynets or in front of stable windows/doors. Concrete has no give and it's very cold which can inhibit circulation and induce inflammation in the joints. Rubber matting is perfect, it's solid but flexes and bends to weight.

24/05/2018

Track system GOALS

Keeping you up to date with the latest sustainable horse property management tips and tricks

19/05/2018

Such an interesting perspective on structural weight bearing. The wall should not be taking the full load of the horse. During times of laminitis, this is incredibly important.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1567994786660624&id=243107699149346

Researchers and veterinarians around the world strive to learn more about the lamellae and have made scientific advances in laminitis diagnosis, treatment, and prevention over the past several years. Here's what we know.

14/05/2018

These three were the last minis (5) today, only 1 year old and never been trimmed. The previous ones were in foal, also haven't been trimmed in a very long time. 8 horses were also on my books today with lots of foot. Safe to say I'm well and truly done in! But a fabulous and well rewarded day! 💪

09/05/2018

Many owners are convinced there is hardly any grass out in their paddocks as they "look" pretty bare. Trust me.. there certainly is grass in your fields and your horses are eating it! This weather is perfect for growth so just keep an eye on your horse for ANY changes in them.. e.g. suddenly they are more stiff/less forward going, on rides they are starting to be more careful than usual, bloated bellies, cresty necks, fat pads on the body, warm feet, raised pulses, growth rings on the feet, bruised soles and/or looking generally out-of-sorts. These are all signs you need to watch for. Low Grade Laminitis describes the signs shown by the horse (listed) that potentially can become much worse. ☀️🌡🌱🐴😖

07/05/2018

Please make sure your precious ponies have shade, fresh water and plenty of forage on hot days like this. I see so many out in paddocks with little to no access to shaded areas. Bring them in If needed during the hottest part of the day and turn back out at night when it's much cooler. Your geegees will thank you. 🦄❤☀️🌡

01/05/2018

Charlie finds the 1.20m track easy peasy

01/05/2018

Both of these beauts were shod all round back in November, the owner aims to compete both this year.
💫Barefoot FTW!💫

25/04/2018

Very pleased with my new embroidered gilet 😍

14/04/2018

The fact of the matter is, you cannot create a healthy foot by just trimming... but you can help the development of healthy structures by providing a balanced foundation. You can see in both examples that the front and hind feet were beginning to distort. The walls were either being pulled forward or tipped back by excess growth. The coronet bands are under strain, especially in the hind feet. Not only does the foot shape improve but also the hoof/pastern axis. This horse walked with much more forward in his step and with the right amount of heel first landing after the trim. Expanding on from my first point, a healthy foot cannot be created by trimming alone, but it can be aided.

13/04/2018

The Houston Mounted Police unit are famous for their barefoot and bitless horses 😍😍

Another beautiful day in Houston!