ReidSporthorses

12/13/2025

A bit technical, but good information on hoof balance 

“Toe too long” how to define the correct length?

“Toe too long” is one of the most common comments we hear in practice, but it is also one of the least consistently defined. Some approaches treat toe length as a number, others as a look, others as a relationship to internal landmarks. The research and the major hoof balance theories suggest a better way to think about it:

Appropriate toe length is not a fixed measurement. It is a functional outcome of where breakover happens and the ground reaction forces act, relative to the limb’s centres of rotation. How the base of support is distributed around those points, and how the horse loads the foot through stance.

Why toe length matters biomechanically

Toe length is not just “toe length”. It is a lever arm and factor of ground reaction force distribution.

During late stance, the hoof rotates toward breakover and the location of breakover affects the mechanical demands on the distal limb. Research on breakover manipulation shows that moving breakover (often via shoe placement or toe modification) can change stride kinematics and timing variables at walk and trot, which is why toe management is so commonly used clinically and in performance shoeing (Duberstein et al., 2013). 

More recent work also looks at trimming, angulation, and shoeing variables in relation to breakover duration and timing in vivo, reinforcing the idea that toe related interventions influence breakover mechanics in measurable ways (Hagen et al., 2021). 

We also know that toe length affects static load on the hoof by dorsal migration of the action point of the ground reaction forces. Static assessment of proportions are reflective of vectors and loads experienced at mid stance.

Key point: Toe length is inseparable from breakover location and from the mechanical “moment” the ground reaction force creates around the distal joints.

The classic “base proportion” models are trying to achieve Symmetry and proportional balance from a visual perspective. But what is balance when considering actual physical vectors and how they affect ground reaction forces?

From the combined literature the definition I can formulate for balance is this…

“The hoofs interaction with the ground should provide the horse with mechanical and functional efficiency while considering the skeletal structures of the limb”

That definition sounds abstract, and is more of a what hoof balance should do, then what it is!
What it is, is exactly what the new hoof balance paradigm tries to quantify.

How the 2023 “new hoof balance paradigm” reframes toe length and base proportions

The paper “The quantification and definition of a new hoof balance paradigm” (Yxklinten and Sharp, 2023) proposes a specific midstance “Point Of Balance” (POB) located anterior to the distal interphalangeal joint centre of rotation, described as approximately one quarter of coronet length back from the dorsal coronet in an unperturbed hoof capsule. It then links balance to alignment between:
• POB
• the pressure point of the solar surface (their PPSH concept)
• the centre of pressure of the ground reaction force (COP) at midstance, when horizontal force is zero (Yxklinten and Sharp, 2023). 

Why this matters for toe length:
• Toe length becomes about whether the toe and breakover position allow the GRF line of action at midstance to sit in a relationship with the transference of weight of the horse. keeping the hoof in force and moment equilibrium.
• Base proportions stop being a purely geometric target and become a mechanical target. The “base split” should serve alignment of the load path, not the other way around.

Practical application for farriers and therapists

Stop saying “short toe” and start saying “appropriate breakover and position of the CoP at midstance”

Importantly give the outcome a purpose.

“Balance is where the foot is in equilibrium at midstance, so toe length and base proportions should support that load path while factoring in the shoeing cycle length” (Yxklinten and Sharp, 2023). 

Join me on Monday 15th 11am GMT where I will explain the new hoof balance paradigm and define correct toe length in terms of the hoofs interaction with the ground and protecting tendons and ligaments.

https://equineeducationhub.thinkific.com/courses/toelength

Have a read of this article in the meantime

https://www.theequinedocumentalist.com/the-quantification-and-definition-of-a-new-hoof-balance-paradigm/

10/19/2025

Classical Training: So Far Left We Have Gone Right

05/17/2025

🌟 NEURODIVERSITY IN DRESSAGE: THE SUPERPOWER WE’RE OVERLOOKING 🌟

What if the future of dressage isn’t about changing people to fit the sport…
…but changing the sport to embrace all kinds of brilliance?

🧠💡 Neurodivergent minds, those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and more often experience the world differently. But in dressage, where subtle communication, deep connection, and focus are everything… that difference is a strength.

Here’s how neurodivergent riders can not only belong, but thrive:

🐴 Hyper-awareness & sensory sensitivity → a natural strength in reading horses’ micro-signals.
🎯 Pattern recognition & precision → ideal for mastering complex routines.
🔥 Passion & hyperfocus → unmatched drive for training and performance.
👥 Alternative thinking styles → innovative approaches to coaching, learning, and problem-solving.

💬 But this can only happen if the dressage world makes room:
✅ Flexible coaching methods
✅ Celebrating different ways of processing, learning, and performing

🌈 Neurodiversity isn’t a challenge to overcome—it’s a perspective to honour.

⸻

🤔 Have YOU seen the power of neurodiversity in equestrian sport?
👇 Drop a story, tag someone who inspires you, or tell us:
What would inclusive dressage look like to you?

💥 Let’s start a conversation that could change the future of this sport 🐎

05/02/2025

Premier dressage facility in Monroe, Washington with full-size indoor and outdoor arena currently offering boarding and training spots!

Half-day grass turn out year round! No standing on gravel or up to their knees in mud

We are rarity in our area- we have minimal mud due to our well managed pastures

Secure, heated tackrooms and lounge, laundry room, etc.
Horses are fed up to four times a day and staff is on site 24 /7

USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medalist (with distinction) on site for lessons and training.

Years of experience from Young Horse level through to CDI (international) experience.
Many clients with Year-end awards and medals

We host regular clinics with Olympic and international trainers including Conrad Schumacher, Nick Wagman, Anne Gribbons, Britta Pederson

All levels welcome from beginners to GP

PM me directly for further information or to set up a tour

04/26/2025

Credit goes to Stephen Forbes, but this is so damn accurate. I will be crying in my truck because the wind changed directions. 😂

Dressage is absolutely, unequivocally dumb.

We spend decades and life savings trying to convince a horse, an animal that would rather nap or fart in a field, to perform controlled interpretive dance… while we wear white stretchy pants and pretend we’re not crying inside.

We argue online about nosebands and neck lengths.
We watch slow-motion trot videos like they’re Oscar-nominated films.
We talk about “feel” like it’s a sixth sense, and nod solemnly when someone says, “He wasn’t truly through in the right rein.”

Nobody knows what that means. We just say it so we don’t feel alone.

“Needs more schwung.”
Schwung????
Apparently it’s German for "make it fancy and pray".
We all pretend to know, then throw money at a new saddle pad hoping it comes with free schwung.

Special this month: Every new Solo bridle now ships with 3 ounces of authentic German schwung. Use responsibly.

And we obsess over the perfect halt.
THE. PERFECT. HALT.
As if a square halt will heal our childhood wounds.

We film our rides. Watch them back. Cry a little.
Zoom in. Rewind. Cry again.
"Why is my left leg doing that?!?"

We whisper sweet nothings to an animal that just tried to murder us because the wind changed direction.
We spend fortunes, literal fortunes, so a stranger in a box can frown at us and say: “Tension throughout.”
(You mean me or the horse?)

And speaking of showing.
There's you, before your class, sitting in the front seat of your Subaru, white breeches slightly transparent in the wrong places, eating a granola bar, listening to whale sounds to calm your nerves, and somehow believing this will help you nail that medium trot.
(It won’t. But you keep listening.)

And the wildest part? We take this seriously.
Like Olympic-level seriously.
Like, cry-in-the-stall-because-your-horse-has-a-poo-stain seriously.

But here’s the twist:

There’s something addictively beautiful about devoting your life to something this ridiculous.

To whispering with your body.
To the micro-conversations.
To trying to talk to your horse in French… with your seatbones.
It’s composing a symphony using only your spine, breath, and unresolved anxiety.

But that's just it, the best parts of life are kind of dumb.

Love is dumb.
Poetry is dumb.
Art is dumb.
Pursuing perfection you’ll never reach? Extra dumb.

But that’s what makes it holy.
So yeah, dressage is dumb.

Which makes it kind of genius.

04/19/2025

Then vs Now:

Just in case anyone was wondering how “True Grit” a.k.a. Jorge is developing

Here are some of his latest photos 😍

True Grit is a 2021 GOV stallion by Totilas, co owned by myself and bred in the USA by Kate Landon

02/23/2025

Due to the retirement of one of our lovely long-term boarders, we will have a rare opportunity for boarding and training

Premier dressage facility in Monroe, Washington with full-size indoor and outdoor arena.
Half-day grass turn out year round.
Secure, heated tackrooms and lounge, laundry room, etc.
Horses are fed up to four times a day and staff is on site 24 /7

USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medalist (with distinction) on site for lessons and training.

Years of experience from Young Horse level through to CDI (international) experience.
Many clients with Year-end awards and medals

We host regular clinics with Olympic and international trainers 

All levels welcome from beginners to GP 

PM me directly for further information or to set up a tour 

02/01/2025

The cutest little yellow horses on the farm…

As soon as the camera comes out, both of these two make the most unimpressed faces though 🤣🙄🫠

11/30/2024

This is where I got the terms “banana in/out/left/right” when I’m teaching 🤪
Actually, a really helpful visual for students especially when you are teaching lateral work on a circle

04/10/2024

Interesting that wraps are now not allowed at shows in Holland…

https://youtu.be/w7jHY5Icut8?si=Fizey5Zmvv5o4hW0

I strongly believe due to the current veterinary studies that wraps will not be allowed in the future at competitions.

There are a lot of conclusive veterinary studies on a cellular level that show the excessive heat of boots and bandages contribute to cellular death of the soft tissue in the lower limbs contributing to an increased incidence of injury.

This is why I have not wrapped my horses for years… Including no boots in turnout
They only wear brushing boots when shipping to prevent injury from other horses

Just one study:

Tendons that store energy during locomotion, such as the equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and human Achilles tendon, suffer a high incidence of central core degeneration which is thought to precede tendon rupture. Although energy storage contributes to the efficiency of locomotion, te...

12/31/2023

This may be a long one.

It’s that time of year! New Year’s Eve! The time where most people are celebrating change and setting new goals for themselves both personally and professionally.

Every year I have goalsetting conversations with all of my clients.

This helps me as a coach and trainer provide effective and positive development for my clients throughout the year.
It is also very helpful for clients to have to define what they are looking for. Many clients don’t necessarily have defined goals

(There is nothing worse than the frustration between trainer and client when goals are not clearly expressed, and the two of you are working at cross purposes)

For years within these goal setting conversations I have often said to clients “that is not a goal that is an idea“

So what separates an idea from a goal? It took me a while to find my own definitions for these
Turns out that there are actual definitions (Who knew?!? Not me)

When goalsetting most people set outcome goals which can be overwhelming.

For example… Client “I want to be able to ride at Grand Prix“

In order to reach our outcome we actually have to set process goals which are quantifiable steps taken to reach our outcome.

“my goal is to take three lessons a week every week for the entire year“

In between process and outcome goals there’s actually a third thing called performance goals.

“I want to score 65% or better at third level test three “

I found an excellent excerpt from an article about this from the University of Washington

“There are three types of goals- process, performance, and outcome goals.

Process goals are specific actions or ‘processes’ of performing. For example, aiming to study for 2 hours after dinner every day . Process goals are 100% controllable by the individual.
Performance goals are based on personal standard. For example, aiming to achieve a 3.5 GPA. Personal goals are mostly controllable.
Outcome goals are based on winning. For a college student, this could look like landing a job in your field or landing job at a particular place of employment you wanted. Outcome goals are very difficult to control because of other outside influences.”

The last line of this rings, especially true in the equestrian world, and is often why people become so frustrated or burnt out.
There are so many factors that lead to outcome goals that are not under our control, especially in this sport, where we deal with large and often fragile animals

It’s normal and healthy that we all set goals for ourselves… But if you are finding that you are frustrated because you are never quite achieving your goals, perhaps will help you break it down.

1)Have a talk with your coach or trainer or mentor
2)Set process goals.
3)Write them down
4)If you are visual like me… Find a place to stick them where you will see them every day
If not find a way to keep yourself reminded of what your goals are and why you wish to stick with the process
5)Stay focused on the process, not the outcome

Happy 2024 planning!

Lessons, Training , Sales, Clinics in the PNW by USDF Bronze,Silver and Gold medalist Catherine Reid.