Steele Horsemanship and Farriery

08/28/2025

This horse had a small but persistent toe crack that wasn’t just cosmetic — it was white line disease at work. The culprit is anaerobic bacteria, which feed on the stratum medium of the hoof wall. Since they thrive without oxygen, they creep further behind the wall when left unchecked.

By performing a hoof wall resection, we removed the infected wall and exposed the bacteria to air — stopping the spread and giving this horse a fresh start toward healthy hoof growth. It also opens up the affected area to make topical treatments easier for the owner.

07/25/2025

🔍 Canker Case: Before, During, and After Treatment
Swipe through to see the progression of a recent canker case I had the opportunity to work on in collaboration with Greenville Equine Veterinary Services 😄

Photo 1: This horse presented with lameness and a telltale cauliflower-like growth on the frog—classic signs of canker. Canker is an uncommon but serious infection of the hoof, most often affecting the frog and sulci. It causes abnormal tissue overgrowth and thrives in damp, low-oxygen environments.

Photo 2: Surgical debridement was performed to remove all infected tissue, followed by cryotherapy to reduce regrowth potential. This step is critical to prevent recurrence, as canker can be stubborn and aggressive if not fully addressed.

Photo 3: A hospital plate was applied to protect the sensitive area, allow for ongoing treatment, and promote healing under controlled conditions. To change the dressing, the owner just removes the bottom two bolts and the plate spins to the side.

Early intervention is key with canker. If you notice a foul odor, sensitivity, or unusual tissue growth in the frog, don’t wait—call your farrier and veterinarian team right away.

07/19/2025

Saturday morning arts and crafts 😊

Casted on some bar shoes with leather. The goal is to remove it in 4-5 weeks and find enough foot to allow the same package to be nailed on a more comfortable horse.

07/15/2025

Strong hooves start with smart choices: balanced nutrition, diligent care, and the kind of routine that respects the horse’s biology. This hind hoof tells a story of intention—and it’s a good one. 😄

07/02/2025

Love this poem by a good friend 💙

I helped one because I could today,
It was not about money, about getting paid.
A chance to give, to help him live,
Horses make wallets leak like a sieve.
He was in so much pain, everywhere,
I couldn't not help him, not when I care.
Patience, time, be creative, think.
I gave it all, and the kitchen sink.
Ears up, softer eye, more comfortable- happy,
Deep breaths, relief, we were all sappy.
Humanity, kindness, a little we cried.
At the end of the day, I know I tried.

(A short poem by)
Your,
Red Headed Farrier

05/21/2025

Thankful for thoughtful clients who remind you to stop and smell the roses… literally! 😄💕

This beautiful bouquet was grown and picked by Paul Foust!

05/04/2025

Nothing holds you accountable quite like a sensitive horse.

Jack shoves that mirror in my face even if I don’t want to admit what I find there. I have an awesome counselor, I read inspiring books, and listen to tons of personal growth podcasts… but the most progress I’ve ever made within myself came from taking my horses “reflection” of myself as blatantly honest feedback.

Most recently, I was struggling to get Jack to fully relax. Spoiler alert, I was tense. After I worked through my inner storm, I went back into some groundwork with a clear head and found that I had my chill horse back.

I want consistency and improvement from my horses, so it only seems fair when they demand it in return. If you’re struggling to get the result you’re looking for with your horse, ask yourself what’s preventing you from being clear, confident, or consistent in your approach.

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 🪞

In other words, your horses are a direct reflection of you.

If you are anxious or unsure, your horse is going to pick up on that and become the same way.

If you are confident, calm, and consistent, that’s going to translate into your horse’s mindset.

If your skills and mindset are not where they should be, you will see it in your horses almost instantly.

That's where the power of self evaluation really kicks in―what energy are you bringing into the arena today? Is it something that is going to progress your horse forward or hold them back?

04/19/2025

Evidence that I can, in fact, hit something other than my thumb.

Sometimes. 😂

Check out Steele Horsemanship’s video.

04/19/2025

A “little” laminitis rehab project 🥰 this sweet girl is feeling much better and well on her way to continued progress. She’s been such a lovely patient!

04/15/2025

LIMITED EXPERIENCE

People seem to have different ideas of what makes an experienced horse person. I am often told by new students about their level of experience and it always seems to be assessed by the number of years they have been riding.

Several years ago I was asked to go to a lady's property for help with her Andalusian mare. She had only had it a month and was already seriously questioning her decision to buy the mare. It was a very nice horse and I would not have complained if somebody had dropped off in my paddock. However, the lady asked, “What’s wrong with her? Why does she behave so crazy?”

I responded, “Nothing is wrong with her. She is a super nice-minded mare but needs a little help because you are not being very clear with what you are asking.”

“Well, I’ve had horses for over 30 years and I have never had a horse as difficult as this one,” she explained.

I asked, “How many horses have you trained in 30 years?”

Her answer was, “Three.”

She had worked three horses in thirty years and she thought she was a very experienced and accomplished horse person.

I’ve worked with maybe a couple of thousand horses in my career and I question my level of experience. I mean, I am very inexperienced when it comes to training polo horses, cow horses, or plow horses. Despite my years of working with horses and the number of horses I have ridden I would never consider myself experienced at anything more than using my horsemanship skills to resolve inner conflict between a horse and rider. I am not the bloke to go to for help in establishing the perfect piaffe or the most amazing sliding stop. But I am the bloke you go to for help getting your horse ready for the perfect piaffe or amazing sliding stop.

We are all experienced horse people in a limited way. And for most of us, it is more limited than we realize.

04/07/2025

‼️ Dissection Photos‼️

Another amazing dissection and anatomy clinic by Shearer Wludyka Cjf Asf and Palmetto Equine Veterinary Services on the books!

This is one of my favorite forms of continuing Ed because each horse is so unique and teaches you something new each time. Thank you to Shearer and Dr. Tracey for sharing your hard earned knowledge with us! Also, thank you to the owners of these horses for allowing them to teach us valuable lessons that will be used to help other horses down the road.

04/01/2025