The Balanced Bare Hoof

01/03/2024

Started off 2024 with some of my absolute best clients!!! I have a feeling this year is going to be pretty special!!🫶🦄🥰

11/02/2023

So excited to be featured in GG Equine’s newsletter this month!!! 🥰🥰 I started using Greenguard muzzles in 2019 when we moved to KY with my easy keeping crew and haven’t looked back since!! While I was out trimming Kara Robinson Musgrave’s ponies, we were talking about muzzle inserts to prevent tooth wear and were brainstorming about different materials that would be soft on the teeth but also durable from the teeth! 🤣 Leather shoe pads popped into my head because hey, if they can last under a shoe for 5+ weeks, they’d probably work for a muzzle!! After I left her appointment, I swung by the farrier supply store, picked some up, played around with them at home on Ollie’s muzzle, and the rest was history!!! Now they’re partnered with Keystone Leather and making some really cool products, with more to come!!!🥳🥳
And I’m super thankful for Three Redheads and a Moose for always capturing these fabulous moments (and letting me use them in this newsletter🫶🫶)!!! I know Sara Farrell is just as big of a fan of Greenguard as I am!!!🩷

03/01/2023

The GreenGuard muzzle sale starts today!!! I have full stock of each size so if you’ve been wanting one, let me know at your next appointment and we can get your horse, pony or mini ready for grass season!!!🥳🥳

01/30/2023

Almost 7 months ago, my life came to an abrupt halt when I was in a serious car accident. Over the past couple of months, I’ve slowly gotten back to trimming regularly and it feels so great to be back!! Now that I’m working full time again, I have made some changes to my business to keep my body’s longevity in mind. I have decided to tighten up my trimming radius to less than 45 minutes from Lexington and have specific routes set each week. I am also being very picky about what horses I am able to work on since I don’t want to get hurt again.
With all that being said, I am willing to take on a few additional clients along my routes within my travel radius!! Horses must be well behaved for the farrier, owners must stay on schedule, and preference given to those who take hoof care seriously or want to learn!!😁
Thank you so much for your patience as I navigate through this new chapter in my life!!❤️

Those of us in hoofcare are always inherently aware of the fact that an injury could take us out of work anywhere from a few days to permanently. Our body is our biggest tool, and when it's not working properly, we can't complete our job.
We may prepare financially for unexpected time off work, but do we prepare emotionally? How do we strive to recover physically?

In this week's podcast episode, I chat with Heather Wu, a hoofcare provider in Kentucky, about her serious accident in the summer of 2022 that affected her ability to work for 6+ months. She talks about how she got through it physically, emotionally, and mentally, as well as some of the difficulties in each of those realms.

You can hear the entire conversation on any podcast app, or directly at this link: https://thehumblehoof.libsyn.com/back-to-horses-after-injury

A special thank you to Cavallo Hoof Boots for being a sponsor for this episode. Use the code "HRN" at checkout at cavallo-inc.com to receive 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots!

08/14/2022

So honored to have been voted 2022 Best of Lexington!!! 🥰 A huge thank you to everyone who nominated me and voted!! I truly am so thankful to have the absolute best group of clients out there!! ❤️

04/18/2022

Continuing education is so important!! Although I wasn’t able to attend in person, I loved being able to attend virtually and watch all of the lectures and demonstrations!! Such great information!! Thank you Alicia Harlov for organizing this and giving others around the country the opportunity to learn too! ❤️
If you’re wanting to learn more about hoof health, check out her podcast “The Humble Hoof”!!

04/01/2022

We’re back from Florida and show season is in full swing for me and my barefoot pony!! We have a busy season ahead and some big goals we’re working towards!! 🌟
📢 A couple announcements as the weather gets warmer and hooves start growing like crazy:
🔹it’s going to be very important to stay on schedule as I’ve been booking up quickly! Clients who stay on schedule will be given preference to appointment slots. I want to make sure everyone gets trimmed on time so planning ahead is key!
🔸if you need to cancel, kindly give at least 24 hours so I can fill that time slot and you avoid a cancellation fee.
Thank you all for trusting me with your horses hoof care and for all of your support!! Happy riding everyone!!! ☀️🏇🧡
📸: Lisa Madren

03/09/2022

Hoof glow-ups make my heart sing!!!🤩🤩 this is what 5 months of good nutrition, proper riding/exercise, lots of turnout and regular trimming can do!! I can’t wait to see how sweet little Bonnie’s feet look in 5 more months as the bottom half of her hoof capsule grows out!! This young pony has such a bright future in whatever discipline she decides to do (though I’m secretly hoping she’ll pick eventing😁)! I’m so glad we have her feet headed in the right direction so she can stay happy and sound!! 💪🥳🙌

02/17/2022

Look at Buckshot’s hoof glow up!!! 🤩🤩 Last spring, he was battling chronic cracks due to white line disease. A hoof resection was done by his vet to remove all the diseased tissue and Hannah diligently cared for his feet and packed them with Hoof Crud Mud several times per week! As of today’s trim, the cracks in his front feet are completely gone!! 💪🥳 just goes to show what regular trims, good nutrition, thrush treatment/prevention, and a little time can do!!❤️

01/27/2022

What a difference almost one year of good nutrition and regular trimming can do!! 💪 Draft feet don’t have to look flared and pancaked! Can’t wait to see what her feet look like next year!! 😁

01/20/2022

So happy to join the team!! ❤️ These animals are so lucky to have found a soft landing with the wonderful caretakers at Tribe Animal Sanctuary!! Check out their page!! They do great work for lots of animals in need!! ❤️

12/11/2021

Our new stickers just came in for our hoof mud!! What do you think? I whipped up a couple more batches so let me know if you need some!! Shipping available too if you’re not in KY!❤️

12/03/2021

A must read for donkey owners!! ❤️

11/20/2021

Who needs shoes when you have rock solid feet like Finn?! 🤩 We just wrapped up another eventing season barefoot and he just keeps getting better and better! Just goes to show what good diet, exercise and hoof care can do! 🧡

10/28/2021

The days are getting shorter, the temps are getting chillier and it seems to be raining every single day. Thrush season is upon us. 😭 can’t seem to get rid of your persistent horse’s thrush? Let’s come up with a plan to get a handle on it through diet change, hygiene practices and anti-fungal/microbial products!! I’ll be making more hoof mud this weekend if anyone needs some!!

08/07/2021

How cool is this?! 🤩🤩🤩

💪🥇🥇🥇 BAREFOOTERS take GOLD in the team showjumping at the OLYMPICS! COME ON 💪

**BREAKING NEWS!!** Yep you heard it, Swedish 🇸🇪 barefoot horses are TOP OF THE WORLD, taking GOLD to beat the USA in a breathtaking jump off for the top position.

👉 No more will the world say that barefoot horses cannot compete at the highest level!

👉No more will the world say “well it’s not gold is it”… because IT IS!!

GOLD🥇 GOLD 🥇 GOLD 🥇

🥇Peder Fredricson riding H&M All In - BAREFOOT - rode an incredible final round, he had to go clear and he had to ride faster than the US - and the two of them did it!

🥇 Henrik Von Eckermann riding King Edward - BAREFOOT - went first, stayed composed and did a blinding round completely clear - he didn't knock down one fence in the entire competition!!!

Even though we are celebrating the barefoot achievement here, it is a team event and we have to also congratulate their other awesome team rider, Malin, who with her horse really jumped their hearts out!👇

🥇Malin Baryard-Johnsson riding Indiana - SHOD - had to go clear...and fast... and they did! Fantastic round!

SO YES BAREFOOT PIONEERS WINNING GOLD AT THE OLYMPICS - THEY DID IT! 🙌

All 3 riders not only went clear and fast - but they were the most consistent riders in the whole competition - only knocking down 2 fences in the final stages.

👉BOTH the barefoot horses were previously SHOD and were transitioned to barefoot.

H&M All In - who took SILVER in the individual showjumping, is now being recognised as probably the BEST all round showjumper IN THE WORLD…

….and he is BAREFOOT! 💪

King Edward - didn’t drop ONE POLE in the entire competition - an incredible horse! 🙌

******

All the info from our previous post when Peder and H&M All In took SILVER and Henrik and King Edward came 4th.👇👇👇

“Well done to Grevlunda Fredricson Show Jumping & Henrik Von Eckermann for pushing our tradition based sport towards evolution. For those interested Peder Fredricson’s barefoot horses are:

💙 H&M All In
❤️ Catch Me Not S
💛 H&M Christian K
💚 Hansson WL
💜 Jumper d’Oase
🧡 Sienna SN

Henrik Von Eckermann’s barefoot horses are:

💙 King Edward
❤️ Hera de Landetta II
💛 Hollywood V
💜 Hugo Boss
🧡 Tovek’s Mary Lou

…and probably more, those are just the ones I’ve looked into” Katie Pontone (thanks Katie for such amazing work on finding out all this information about these two BAREFOOT OLYMPIC PIONEERS!) and of course your own success at top levels showjumping barefoot in the USA!

Show jumping is a TOUGH sport for horses and riders, and the equine world has always perpetuated the narrative that horses just could not compete and succeed at these lofty high levels unless they were SHOD…

… THAT HAS NEVER BEEN TRUE…

… and now these amazing horses and riders HAVE PROVED IT TO THE WORLD!!🙌🌎

So come on EQUINE world… stop believing that horses need metal nailed to their feet to be the TOP COMPETITORS ON THIS PLANET!

We SALUTE YOU… 🇸🇪 Peder Fredricson & Henrik Von Eckermann & SWEDEN 🇸🇪 … and all your brilliant BAREFOOT HORSES! 🇸🇪

We hope to have more in depth info for you in Issue 32 coming out in the Autumn - don’t miss it!

Bust those traditional myths and read The Barefoot Horse Magazine… and shout it from the rooftops…

….BAREFOOT IS BEST!

👉ISSUE 31 just released👉https://bit.ly/BHMIssue31

👉or SUBSCRIBE and never miss an issue👉http://bit.ly/ANNUALsub

GOLD WINNING HORSE athletes can do it BARE! 🥇 💪

The BHM Team ❤️

06/04/2021

Look at little Reni’s progress over the last 6 months!!! 😍😍 her mom, Caitlin, adopted her last fall and she is flourishing under her care!! Can’t wait to see her out toting around her little boy in a leadline class in the next few years!! 🦄💕👑

06/01/2021

Thrilled with this girl’s progress after only 2.5 months!! She was battling a bad case of white line disease and unsoundness in Sigafoo shoes so the shoes came off mid-March! With diligent treatment of the WLD and trims every 2 weeks making gradual changes, her trainer reports she is feeling sounder than ever, is back to full work, and will be back out showing 3rd level dressage soon, with their sights on 4th level!! 🥳🥳 I love when clients are willing to look outside the box and give barefoot a try!! 💪 Once we got her foot in a better place, we fitted her for Flex Boots USA just in case she encounters gravel on the way to the show ring!! Getting this girl comfortable and back into the show ring just makes my heart so happy!!! ❤️

05/28/2021

I had a blast teaching the Tucker-English Pony Club all about hoof anatomy and did a trimming demo for them today! What a great group of kids who asked lots of great questions and were so eager to learn!! 🤓🐴❤️

05/24/2021

Handsome Deuce modeling his new boots from Flex Boots USA!!! He can’t wait to break them in at Shaker Village this weekend!! 🤩🦄❤️

05/13/2021

Today’s trimming assistant 🥰🥰🥰

05/11/2021

Love seeing these changes in my yearling, Mia’s, feet in just 4 months!! When I bought her in January as an 8 month old, I wasn’t happy with her feet (toes too long for my liking, mediolateral imbalance and crushed heels). Initially I put her on a 2 week schedule for 2 months and then a 3 week schedule for the last 2 months so make minor changes often. I am thrilled with the results!! Young horses especially need very careful hoof care as they are developing very quickly! Minor changes as a baby can lead to a more sound and functionally correct adult horse! I have big plans for this little girl so I need her hooves and legs to be strong for her future career as an event horse!!! 🤩💕🍀

04/14/2021

This big girl is going to have some really nice feet once the cracks and flares grow out!! Nothing a little diet change, regular trimming and proper movement can’t fix! 💪

03/01/2021

Love my boy, Finn’s, pretty feet, even if they are covered in mud! 🙃😅 it’s Kentucky mud season—the weather is getting warmer and it won’t stop raining! When the weather is as wet as it is, I make sure to pick out all of my ponies feet once or twice a day and apply Hoof Crud Mud as a thrush preventative! Happy March everyone!! ☀️🌸

02/22/2021

Mondays aren’t so bad when you get to trim a bunch of pony club ponies!! This girl is new to the program and is a gentle giant! Can’t wait to see her tote kids around and show them the ropes of eventing!! ❤️

02/11/2021

Spending this “ice day” home catching up and making some batches of Hood Crud Mud with the best supervisors! 🥰🐶 Let me know if you’re running low or want to try some!! Your ponies thrush-free feet will thank you!! 🧡

02/01/2021

Starting off this snow day trimming these adorable blue-eyed cookie hounds 😍🍪❄️

01/28/2021

What a difference two months can make with a good diet, lots of movement and regular trimming!! 😍😍 can’t wait to see what Sis’s feet looks like in 4 more!! ❤️

01/14/2021

Pretty donkey feet make me so happy!! 😍 Kentucky’s lush grass and wet weather make it so hard for these critters that were meant to live in dry climates with sparse vegetation! With proper management and regular trimming, these guys can thrive!! I have been trimming Soloman for about a year now and I am so happy with his feet now!! His buddy, Socha, (the cutie in the background) has about 6 more months to go but we finally have her white line disease under control and are waiting for healthier hoof to grow in between trims! It is certainly a team effort between the owner and trimmer as all the pieces need to come together to make a good foot (diet, movement, turnout footing, regular trimming, and regular treatment of thrush, etc). Rehabbing feet can take a year or two but is so worth it and so rewarding!! ❤️

12/04/2020

Check out Kentucky Horse Council’s online auction!! There are two hoof trims and a jar of hoof mud up for grabs!! 💙

It has all natural, non-caustic ingredients that effectively kill bacteria and fungus that cause thrush, but aren't harmful to the hoof. Great for treating thrush, white line disease, hoof wall separation, cracks and more!