Ruth's Natural Hoof Trimming

10/17/2023

If you're interested in using positive reinforcement for riding check out this free webinar https://shawnakarraschequine.myflodesk.com/d9445y2xoz?fbclid=IwAR1oi2Rm0ds6e0iChla4gSKNJ_o4CmI_jJR7nV58R0bBlHI0GCSpLEKY1jw

Start your young or green horse under saddle with positive reinforcement

08/26/2022

This is true , even with slow feed nets some horses will eat themselves into insulin resistance and laminitis!

The horse pictured here is genetically predisposed to equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and was given free choice, unlimited access to hay. He developed obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and ultimately insulin-induced laminitis. When he could no longer stand, hay was kept in front of him 24/7.

After getting a hay analysis, the owner was advised how much to feed based on actual energy requirements (calories consumed vs. calories expended), to weigh the hay, and to use slow feeders. When the horse was sound, the owner scattered the hay over several acres. The horse made a full recovery and achieved his ideal weight in 9 months.

For weight loss, a good rule of thumb is to feed 1.5% of current weight, or 2.0% of ideal body weight in hay (lbs/day), whichever is more. Example: Overweight horse of 1200 lbs, ideal weight is 1000 lbs. [1200 lbs x 0.015 = 18 lbs/day; 1000 lbs x 0.02 = 20 lbs/day]. Use of slow feeders or small hole hay nets will slow consumption. More information here: https://bit.ly/3Cmh50L

08/09/2022

Have you really read your feed bag label or have you just read the marketing hype on the front of the bag or advertising 🤔

Marketing of horse feed can be incredibly misleading, or even downright dangerous, especially when it comes to laminitic or metabolic horses.

If you have a horse with hoof issues - this one's for you!

I have learned to never believe any marketing tag lines on a feed until I read the labels. I see so many brands that boast "Low NSC!!" or "Low starch levels!," when the actual label breakdown shows the feed would cause a sensitive horse to relapse into laminitis. It can be infuriating!

But how can a feed with what seems to be a lower NSC % cause issues, you may ask?

The two main components in feed that affect insulin levels in horses are starch and ESC (sugar). Between those two, ESC converts about 50% to glucose in the body, while starch converts 100% to glucose in the body. That makes starch a much more significant player when it comes to hoof issues and metabolic control.
Through over 2 decades of field study with the ECIR group, Dr. Kellon and other ECIR members have found that feed should be less than 4% starch and less than 10% ESC+starch combined for metabolic horses to maintain comfort and help manage proper insulin levels.

So a label could boast "10% NSC!" which certainly sounds low to the average consumer, and yet the starch alone in that could be 8%, making it unsuitable for horses struggling with hoof issues.

I can't tell you how many times I've had owners say "but it's a low starch feed!," only to read the label and see that the starch levels are just too high for their horse. This can affect hoof comfort and sensitivity, laminae connection, ability to grow healthy wall and sole depth, and make or break hoof rehab in laminitic cases.

Have you read your labels lately?

To learn more, visit ecirhorse.org

07/06/2022

It's a nasty illness and can have serious complications too

Strangles is one of the most commonly contagious diseases of the horse (worldwide) and in 2017 it became a nationally monitored disease. This condition is caused by bacterial infection with "Streptococcus equi subspecies equi" (referred to as "S. equi”), which typically infects the upper airway and lymph nodes of the head and neck, and is highly contagious in horse populations—particularly affecting young horses. Classic signs of the disease include sudden onset of fever as high as 106 degrees F, thick yellow nasal discharge, and swollen lymph nodes under the jaw.

Transfer from horse to horse usually involves direct face-to-face contact, or exposure to things such as contaminated feed, water, hands, veterinary instruments or grooming tools. A stall or van recently used to house or transport a horse that is shedding the organism may also be a source of infection.

WATCH OUT FOR ASYMPTOMATIC CARRIERS! (Sounds familiar, right?)

It is not uncommon for strangles infections to recur on a farm with previous outbreaks of the disease, and the primary source of recurrent infections are most likely asymptomatic carrier horses—animals who display no clinical signs but may continue to shed the bacteria for months to even years, serving as a continual source of new infections.


If you suspect a strangles outbreak, be sure to involve your veterinarian right away to determine the diagnosis and the best control practices for your particular farm. Without control and biosecurity measures, a strangles outbreak will ultimately affect all susceptible horses, last longer, and have a greater chance of leading to complications.
**Please note that strangles is a reportable disease in some states.**

To learn more about strangles, visit our website at https://aaep.org/issue/understanding-equine-strangles


And as always, contact your veterinarian for more information as they remain the best source of advice!

07/04/2022

This is perfect. The farrier does the best job they can in the setup YOU provide 👌

Ok friends, this isnt directed at anyone specific, so dont get all ruffled up. But its extremely important and needs to be said.

First off, I, like most farriers want to do the best job possible. But that requires a few things. Ill list some of them.

*HORSES THAT STAND STILL!!!
I can do an exceptional job on a horse that will stand for the farrier. The quality of work goes down if we are just trying to survive. So either teach them, reprimand them, restrain them, or drug them. I get called to fix alot of horses but I can only do so much if they are not standing still.

FLAT DRY PLACE!!
It doesn't have to be fancy, but it has to be flat and dry. Its nearly impossible to do any quality work on wet or muddy conditions. And precision work has to be done on a flat and dry environment.

**IF YOU COMBINE A HORSE THAT DOESN'T STAND WITH MUDDY CONDITIONS, WELL, ITS PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN MORE THAN ONCE.

SHADE, SHADE, SHADE!!
Its not safe or pleasant to stand in the direct sunlight doing farrier work. Its a very physically hard job. Again it doesn't have to be fancy, a carport, a shade tree, I dont care where, but it has to be accessible, clean, dry, flat and have plenty of room to safely work.

**IF YOU COMBINE A HORSE THAT DOESN'T STAND STILL WITH MUDDY CONDITIONS AND THIS IS HAPPENING IN THE SUN, IT PROBABLY ISNT GOING TO HAPPEN MORE THAN ONCE.

FLY SPRAY!!!
Provide lots and lots of fly spray! If you dont have it and your horse thinks its dying, then the farrier cant do a good job. The farrier is doing the best they can with the situation YOU are providing. Have way more fly spray than you think you need.

**A NON STANDING HORSE IN MUDDY CONDITIONS BEING DONE IN THE SUN WITH FLYS MAKING THE NORMALLY NON STANDING HORSE WORSE LEADS TO UNSAFE AND UNDESIRABLE CONDITIONS. THIS WILL PROBABLY ONLY HAPPEN ONCE.

FANS!!
If your flat, dry, shady place happens to be in a barn that has no airflow and is like an oven, then have enough fans to make it at least tolerable and safe. I have had heat stroke, and I'm not interested in having it again in!

SAFE PLACE TO TIE, OR A QUALITY HOLDER!
It's already a dangerous job. Its not safe doing horses tied to things that they could pull around if they pull back or spook. As in round pens, etc..

PUT YOUR DOGS AWAY!!
I could tell endless stories about this. Its a safety issue for the horse, the dog and the farrier.

Lastly, if you are wanting a discount, or are not wanting to be at the price it needs to be, or you don't think that the job is worth it, or you think that you can always find someone else or whatever it might be, you need to realize you are at the bottom of the priority list. That isnt a personal thing, its a business thing.

Full price horses that stand still, being done in a dry shady place with fly spray and a fan will always take priority.

Also horses that aren't on a maintenance schedule are always at the bottom of the priority list. Nothing personal but its hard to make a regular client wait for a horse that only gets done once in awhile.

This isnt about being irritated, this is just some general basic operating procedures that should be recognized.

I appreciate every horse and client I have. And thank you for your business. But please take these things into consideration.

Danny Berry
Berry farrier service
John 3:16
♡-

06/29/2022

Cute babies but notice the Donkeys are kept in what we call a "dry lot " with no grass only hay to eat . This is the proper care for Donkeys, they are a desert species

06/29/2022

Getting ready for the 4th of July , some tips

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, now is a good time to make preparations to keep your horses, farm animals and pets safe during any fireworks that will be happening in your area.

The graphic below lists some tips to get you started. If you horses are staying out overnight, be sure to check your fencing ahead of time and neutralize any hazards like rocks, branches or holes that could lead to injury if the animals start bolting. If you are really worried about your horse's safety, consult your veterinarian about calming agents and sedatives.

No matter what your Independence Day plans are, above all please remember to practice safety and be considerate of the people and the animals living around you so EVERYONE may have an enjoyable celebration.

Happy 4th! 🇺🇸

04/23/2022

Why shoeing can so easily cause abcesses..

04/10/2022

Gross but important. Retained placenta can cause laminitis in mares

04/06/2022

They make a great senior horse feed

With our Frequent Buyer Program, when you send in 15 proofs of purchase, receive a $30 visa gift card.

03/29/2022

Very good advice here on managing grass intake

Grass sugar content fluctuates with the time of day, season, and weather. Timing pasture access for horses with EMS, IR, or a history of laminitis can help prevent serious problems.

02/21/2022

If you have never had your hay tested then you don't know what you're feeding or how you should supplement

Don't forget! Join Sarah Fessenden, Business Development Manager for Equi-Analytical Lab Services, and Dr. Nerida Richards, FeedXL Horse Nutrition Calculator Founder & Lead Nutritionist, on February 23 at 7 pm EST!

01/23/2022

This is a great post clarifying some confusing terms to horse owners

12/04/2021

Up close dissection illustrating cuts on the horse's cheek from sharp teeth. This is why horse teeth need care too

Here I look at the inside of the cheeks of a horse that was euthanised and then dissected.If you would like to see more dissection videos on the equine foot,...

12/04/2021

Choke ! It can be a problem with horses and Donkeys. This was a good article on the topic

The risk for developing a blockage of the esophagus is higher in winter, but it's wise to take precautions all year round.

12/04/2021

If you want to see how a hoof transforms itself with barefoot care

Hey guys, I just wanted to let you know that I have recently released a brand new online education platform called eFarriery Education. If you follow the lin...

11/24/2021

Is it "stocking up" or the more Dangerous Cellulitis, know when to call the vet

Do you know the difference between stocking up and cellulitis?

Many horses will "stock up" with subcutaneous edema (fluid swelling) in two or more legs (usually the hind limbs). Stocking up generally results from a significant decrease in exercise and usually resolves as the horse starts exercising again.

Lymphangitis( or vasculitis, big leg disease, staph infection, or cellulitis) on the other hand is a bacterial infection and a dramatically different condition. While its causes may vary, it’s easy to spot once it sets in: the swelling will be extreme, hot and very painful to the touch, and the horse will be depressed due to the fever and discomfort.

If you think your equine friend has cellulitis or even if you're not sure, we encourage you to seek professional help promptly. Your horse doctor will make the best treatment recommendations, both to reduce swelling and to address any sort of bacterial infection that might be active or that could occur due to the edema in the soft tissue.

Read more on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/lymphangitis-frustrating-condition

10/14/2021

Good reminders for disinfection

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought cleaning and disinfection to a whole new level of awareness inside our homes and places of work. But what about the barn?

Cleaning and disinfecting stalls and equipment has always been critically important for biosecurity, especially when it comes to controlling disease outbreaks. However, much misinformation exists when it comes to correct biosecurity procedures. For example, you can’t just spray something on a dirty stall in order to kill pathogens. It takes detergent and manual labor to remove any dirt and organic materials BEFORE disinfectants can be applied effectively.

The graphic lists a few good reminders to keep in mind when it comes to biosecurity best practices at the barn. If you’d like to learn more, additional infection control and disinfectant resources are available on both the AAEP and the Equine Disease Communication Center's websites!

07/22/2021

Do you give your horse a good look over for ticks?

Reports have shown that the tick population has expanded in recent years, and that tick-borne illnesses in the U.S. have more than doubled in the past two decades.

A wider distribution of ticks means more chances for your horses (or yourself and your family pets) to encounter this parasite, so tick control remains an important management practice for horse owners. Despite their diminutive size and appearance, ticks are highly equipped to carry and transmit many serious diseases including Equine Piroplasmosis, Lyme Disease, Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis (Ehrlichiosis) and Tick Paralysis.

Because ticks infected with serious diseases do not usually transmit those pathogens immediately and often must feed for a period of time before disease transmission, removing them from your horse as soon as possible is important. Check your horses for ticks thoroughly after a ride, and at least daily if they’re out on pasture in order to prevent disease transmission. From a pasture management perspective, you can decrease the number of ticks your horse may pick up by removing brush and mowing tall grass where ticks like to live, and discouraging wildlife such as deer that tend to reintroduce ticks to grazing areas.

Read more about tick control on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/tick-control-horses. As always, if you have questions on tick control or the diseases they can transmit to your horses, talk to your local horse doctor!
Additional information about Lyme disease in horses is available on the
Equine Disease Communication Center's website athttps://www.equinediseasecc.org/Content/ContentDocs/DiseaseFactsheet_Lyme%20Disease%20Cobranded_final%207-1-2020.pdf

07/07/2021

This is an episode for owners and hoof care professionals

I chat with Brian Mullins of Mullins Farrier Podcast, Dr. Simon Curtis of The Hoof of the Horse podcast, and Daniel Bennett of Lockdown Farriery podcast about ways we can keep hoofcare providers safe during appointments, which also ensures a safe horse and handler.  For more info, see:

07/02/2021

Learn something new everyday. I did nor know this 😯🐔🥚

Question I have a question about a possible supplement for my horse, though it is a little unusual. Can I feed eggs to horses? I live on a farm where we get a plethora of chicken eggs every morning, and I thought that perhaps eggs would be a good alternative to fat supplements for my horse. I was tr...

06/30/2021

The horse has a very sensitive respiratory system

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE HORSE’S RESPIRATORY SYSTEM?

Respiratory health is essential to horse performance, yet it's often under-appreciated or misunderstood. The equine respiratory system is much different than the human’s and it has some limitations, to the point where even a little bit of inflammation or obstruction anywhere in the respiratory tract has a big impact on your horse's performance.

You may not even recognize that your equine friend's poor performance issues are related to respiratory health — coughing or nasal discharge are clear symptoms of respiratory problems, but "feeling heavy;" heavy breathing; breathlessness; lack of energy; and slow recovery times could also indicate a condition in the milder end of the equine asthma spectrum.

Some things you can do to help your horse's respiratory health include:

• Making sure there's good ventilation in the barn.

• Reducing dust in the barn and in your horse's stall.

• Looking for signs of mold on the walls, especially near stored hay.

• If you use floor mats, check what is growing between and underneath them. Consider flooring that can be disinfected — or at least cleaned well.

Consult your veterinarian to learn more about improving your horse’s environment and respiratory health. Additional information is also available on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/every-breath-horses-take-affects-every-move-they-make

06/25/2021

Good tips , also make all feed changes gradually including from one hay batch to the next .

10 TIPS FOR PREVENTING COLIC!

Colic is not a disease, but rather a combination of signs that alert us to abdominal pain in the horse. Colic can range from mild to severe, but it should never be ignored. Many of the conditions that cause colic can become life threatening in a relatively short period of time. Only by quickly and accurately recognizing colic – and seeking qualified veterinary help – can the chance for recovery be maximized.

Virtually any horse is susceptible to colic; while equines seem predisposed to colic due to the anatomy and function of their digestive tracts, management still plays a key role in prevention. And although not every case is avoidable, the guidelines listed in the graphic can maximize your horse’s health and reduce the risk of colic.

For more information about colic prevention and treatment, consult your equine veterinarian. Additional colic information is available on our website at aaep.org

06/09/2021

Great tips in this article

Methods to limit choose lower grass species, limit grass intake, manage pasture for lower sugar concentration, soak hay, rotational grazing, strip grazing.

05/09/2021

It's that time of year that you might like to control your horse's diet..I like to.fill.'the trust bank account " first and have lots of positive interactions with the muzzle before I leave it on her. Once I do leave it on I will start with maybe 5, 10 or 15 minutes and watch her closely , increasing time over several sessions

keeping your horse's weight in check is so important. Lacey gained way too much weight even as a growing horse. now that she is 4 years old it's time to ge...

05/07/2021

Great article with links to more information on each topic covered . Alot of knowledge packed in here 🤠🐎

Be the solution to your horse's fly problem! Learn about insects that bother your horse, and what you can do to solve your horse's bug season woes.

04/24/2021

Allowing too much access to grass during the spring can set your horse up for developing laminitis. Often it's at the subclinical stage for awhile before becoming acute. By then often the hooves can be severely damaged. The best treatment is prevention when it comes to laminitis

Might your equine have subclinical laminitis? Help is just a click away when you join our free outreach group: https://ecir.groups.io/g/main (scroll down to JOIN THIS GROUP). You'll hear from one of our volunteers promptly (check your spam folder if you don't see an email in your inbox).

04/22/2021

I'm not a fan of cross ties especially for hoof care

Last thought on tying issues and safety -
This may be controversial but hell, half my career at this point is based on controversy so here we go.

I don’t use cross ties. Ever. Firstly: high risk of injury. Horse pulls back, snaps a tie, now you have a flying cross tie. Even if you have some method for them to release, you still have the issue of a flying tie and clip near your face, your horses face, other peoples faces.

Or, horse pulls back and flips over

And for training reasons : there is no clear release in a cross tie. At all times the horse has weight on both sides of the face with no clear feel and direction to go. They can’t move their neck side to side, can’t see well, and can’t turn to investigate things. They are more likely to be anxious, or tune out and put their head weight into the ties. If you are training for lightness and balance, these are not a tool that fits into that program. Also, if your horse is calm and relaxed, why do they need to be restrained with two ties?
If they need to be held still with two ties to get things done, that should be the focus of your work instead.

Yes, you can prepare your horse for cross ties so they stay safe. But it begs the question - why?
If they can stand calmly ground tied, and single tied, why do you need to cross tie? If you’re cross tying to make them stand still, why can’t they stand still?

Just cause that’s how many people do it, or that’s how it’s always been done, doesn’t mean it’s the best way for the horse.

As always - there are many ways to work with a horse, and just because it’s my way doesn’t mean it’s the only way. But here’s my opinion and reason for it.

And, as I say often- if you like the results you’re getting, keep doing what you’re doing. If you don’t, time to change something.

04/15/2021

Some common ornamental plants and trees to watch out for

Find out which flowers, shrubs, and trees you should avoid when sprucing up your barn this spring.

04/09/2021

Those frosty spring nights spell trouble for horses that are at risk for laminitis..(all horses are at risk😉)