Pure Joy Horsemanship

08/13/2025

**Hoof Education Series - What Do You See??

Here's what I see... what was a really huge disaster for this horse turning into hope for a great outcome.

I think this is the best opportunity for learning that I've ever posted. Because it's SO extreme, it gives us greater insight until the inner workings of the hoof and the devastation an uneducated fairer can cause.

I look forward to your comments and questions. As always this is a safe place to learn and share information so we can be better horse owners.

This farrier disaster touch the heels and systematically removed wall from the front of the hoof. It was removed to the laminae. That means the hoof lost structural integrity and the coffin bone had nothing to adhere to.

Quick lesson: the coffin bone is the lowest bone in the leg. It's inside the hoof capsule. It's meant to be suspended by tissue called laminae that literally hold the horse's entire skeleton of the ground. Laminae are about 15 mm thick on an average healthy horse, that's about 15 pieces of paper. This hoof belongs to a mini.

As you can see by the visible blood inside the hoof, the laminae have been torn apart because the weight of the horse upon the coffin bone has caused them to pull apart

The dark bit at the bottom of the hoof is the exposed internal laminae which should NEVER see the light of day.

This horse was in excruciating pain.

I have been trimming her for the past few months. I trim her hooves to the natural parameters of her growth. I started weekly and now at at 2-3 weeks.

With the right trim, the hoof will return to healthy proportions. The coffin bone will restore itself to the correct position.

The first photo is from a day ago. It shows that healthy reattachment is occurring below the hairline, which is where attachment between the coffin bone and laminae originate.

The other photos are of the first day I saw her. She was in hoof boots for some time. She's moving far more comfortably now and is our of her boots most of the time except sometimes after a fresh trim.

I am dedicated to preventing this and other emotionally and physically damaging experiences horses endure every day by EMPOWERING horse owners through education, consultation, and support.

Purejoyhorsemanship.com
Purejoyhorsehaven.org

08/04/2025

It's good to have friends. ❤️😃

07/20/2025

** Horse Care Tip **

Have you noticed that your horse's shiny coat suddenly looks washed out?

You may think his diet is off, but it's not - not this time of the year.

Reduced daylight hours tell your horse is time to prepare for winter. That means the ' summer coat has got to go.

It's served it's purpose and will no longer be maintained. That means no new hairs are coming in. What's left is susceptible to bleaching, especially with all the sweat coating the coat in the hot sun.

All energy is now directed to the developing winter coat, which will push the summer coat out of the way. You may already see your horse's summer coat falling out.

Purejoyhorsemanship.com
Purejoyhorsehaven.org

07/20/2025

This is not well know or popular information yet I think it's something we all need to be aware of.

As an equine nutritionist, I am well aware of the interconnectivity of physiological systems and flaws in the knowledge and perceptions of the veterinary community. And yes, making a buck plays into it as well.

At Pure Joy Horse Haven we have wormed 1-2 times per year for the past ten years with no ill effects. However, it's important to note that the horses in the farm are receiving a specialized diet, meaning a custom formulation vs feed bought of the shelf, and live a healthy low-stress lifestyle. Their bodies aren't exposed to the stressors that many of our horses experience, whether it's being recognized or not.

For more information of creating a healthy environment and life experience for your horse visit Purejoyhorsemanship.com.

Our equine sanctuary website is at Purejoyhorsehaven.org

https://secondvet.com/rethinking-intestinal-worms-horse-friend-or-foe/

Intestinal worms or parasites in the horse are not always a problem and our approach to them with dewormers may not always be the right thing.

07/13/2025

** Hoof Education Series - What Do You See? **

Hi Everyone!

Do we need to worry about this hoof or celebrate what we see?

During the healing process, hooves go through a number of changes. Some of these adaptations to what the hoof is experiencing may look ugly at times.

We need to learn how to look past the things that might appear to be wrong, such as separation at the bottom of the hoof, and focus on other areas - the upper portion of the hoof, the bottom, and the horse's soundness.

We need to recalibrate our eyeswhere and educate our minds to the reality of the healing process, a process that if rushed will stop and head into a damaging direction.



🤔 This one is a thinker! Ask questions! Let's learn! Feel the empowerment! Share with your friends!

Purejoyhorsemanship.com
Purejoyhorsehaven.org

07/09/2025

** Hoof Education Series - What Do You See? **

What we know about a hoof like this is that there's a whole lot going on inside the hoof capsule that's seriously problematic for, in this case, the donkey that's standing and moving on it.

Distortion on the outside reflects displacement of the bones on the inside. It tells us the joints a being unevenly loaded. In time the body will begin to break down or add more bone in an effort to create stability. It tells us ligaments, tendons, and muscles are being strained beyond normal parameters. It also tells us that normal locomotion is impossible and a constant source of physical and emotional distress.

I'm super excited to work on this girl's feet because I have the privilege of restoring balance, function, and above all COMFORT to her.

Fyi, I can not and WILL not trim her in a way that makes her foot look "pretty" to me or her owner. I will not remove more material than the hoof allows. I WILL follow the current parameters of the hoof and create a platform for future success and improved health.

There's a lot of misinformation out there and unnecessary damage being done to many many equines. Trimming a hoof is the most straightforward thing in the world if you know what to look for.

I look forward to your comments and questions. Please share.

I will share this girl's progress with you If you have questions about your horse's hooves, drop me a line. I'm happy to give you my opinion on their condition. I also offer professional hoof and nutrition consultations. I teach horse owners how to evaluate and trim their own horses as well.

There's info about my programs and services at Purejoyhorsemanship.com

Check out my non-profit too at Purejoyhorsehaven.org

07/08/2025

** Hoof Education Series - What Do You See?? **

Your questions today are:

1. Why is the bottom of this hoof white?
2. What does it mean when the white stuff crumbles off with a hoof pick or hoof knife?

Leave your answers in the comments or dm me.

Remember this is a safe space where we can ALL learn. ❤️

Purejoyhorsemanship.com