Kim Holden Equine Podiatry

24/08/2025

As many of my clients know, I regularly recommend Urban Horse - Carolyn provides a quick, fab service remotely fitting hoof boots (amongst other things), something that I don't have the skills to do, but which helps my clients greatly. I also recommend many other items sold by Urban Horse, as they are often products that I use myself.

It's also a small, local to me business, so I find that this fits with my personal ethos of shop, and support, small and local.

The customer service from the whole Urban Horse team is second to none, there's always a quick response, they have the ability to help and understand my client's needs and their knowledge means that we're all in good hands (myself included - the team know their stuff and I've been supported by them when I've needed boots for my own pony for rehab).

Because I love Urban Horse so much I am now part of their affiliate scheme, which means that you as a client (follower/friend) get to take advantage of a 5% discount. It does mean that I also benefit from a 5% commission, this will likely be spent on the products that I use regularly on both mine and your horse's feet 😂 .

The discount code is PODIATRY5, this can be used when placing an order (I know some of my clients are also local to them so please let them know if, like me, you like to nip in and have a browse).

Their website is www.urbanhorse.com

Photo of the beautiful flowers currently in bloom on the fell where our horse's graze.
📷my 10 year old.

17/08/2025

Free Workshop Weds 20th August - Sign up here

16/08/2025

January might feel like a long way off (and feel like a swear word in the middle of summer) but if you are considering joining the 2026 intake of the Integrated Equine Podiatry Certification, you might need to get thinking ahead!

We have already had successful applications for half of next years spaces which is very exciting for us, but does mean there may not be spaces left if you are waiting until the end of November shut off date.

Why not check out the prospectus - we have some additional bonus content coming next year too which I'm not quite ready to share with you but which I am so excited about. It will add some extra polish to an already shiny course!

https://www.areion.co.uk/courses

Photo of course mascot the ever mighty Munchkin just because.

02/08/2025

The lovely Finn, visibly comfortable after the trim which is always lovely to see 😍. Zeph clearly needs to be trained up as an apprentice 😆 he's a smart cookie so I think he'd pick it up quickly. It was lovely to see positives for both boys (and their owner) at my visit.

12/07/2025

A useful webinar from Debs.

Free Workshop Weds 16th July - Sign up here

10/07/2025

This!! You, the owner, are the magic ✨✨✨

We’ve all heard it:
“No foot, no horse” & “Prevention is better than cure”
It’s true, having a skilled hoof care professional is absolutely essential.
BUT you have more power over your horse’s hooves than you might think!

Focus on what you can control:
🌱 Balanced nutrition
🧼 Clean hooves
⚖️ Healthy weight management
📅 Regular hoof care schedule
🌳 Manage the environment
🏇 An appropriate and varied workload
🔧 Regular check-ups with other professionals and equipment checks

Of course, some things are out of our hands:
Conformation, age, weather, wear and tear, field gymnastics and all the other inventive ways horses find to injure themselves.

The point is: you matter.
You are the front line of 'team healthy hooves!'
Consistent, proactive hoof care really adds up.

🪄 Remember it's a rasp not a wand 🪄
Without your cooperation, even the most skilled professionals can’t hold off the effects of daily damage forever. (It’s like asking your dentist to keep your teeth perfect when you eat Haribo for breakfast and play ice hockey without a mouthguard).

20/06/2025

Isnt nature amazing!!

A lovely client sent me some incredible photos of foal slippers. As I've never seen them in the flesh before this was the next best thing and they are just amazing .

They start to break off once the foal has been born and they make contact with the air. So, catching them before they disappear is rare, especially as mares often foal throughout the night and early hours.

They play an important role in the foal's birth journey, protecting the mare's birth canal from their hooves. They belong to the most beautiful c**t, who is a not so mini version of his mum.

Big thanks to my client for allowing me to share them.

11/06/2025

Here's the very lovely soul that is Joey, sporting his lovely new trainers care of Urban Horse.

We removed Joey's shoes 3 weeks ago, and he's had a gentle trim this week to help with cracks and chips. For Joey it's not just a transition, but a rehab. His feet need a bit of TLC, and he's very lucky that his owner is willing and able to put in the time and effort.

He's sporting cavallos with EPS pads, these will help not only with comfort levels, but also with the development of much needed structures.

He's also had a full diet overhaul, he's a sensitive soul which means worry. So, we're focusing on gut health, because as we all know the gut plays such an important role in hoof health. He's had a fair bit of upheaval, so this will have played a part, but he has no need to worry now as he's landed in a wonderfully caring, barefoot supportive home.

I'm excited to see Joey's hoof journey over the coming months (time is also an important factor).

Picture of the gentleman himself 😍

08/06/2025

If you're able to help, pop a message to Vikki from the original post 😊

In order to practice my newly acquired Scoot Boot modification skills, I need boots to practice on. If you have any odd/worn/broken Scoots I would love to take them off your hands. If you have multiple boots I might even be able to revive them enough to make you a spare pair. Happy to pay 2nd class postage, or collect if you are near me.

06/06/2025

It's great to see improvements in hooves, we're working towards strengthening the back of Zeph's feet, particularly the soft structures. His frogs are looking so much better. As with everything in the hoof world, time plays its part, but we are starting to see those changes, and it's a good feeling.

Team work is also important, one of the things I will do is recommend that other professionals are involved in a horse's care, the holistic approach is what makes the difference.

Zeph takes his role as quality controller very seriously, he always likes to check that my paperwork is correct!

27/05/2025

So lovely to have been back with the Areion Academy family over the weekend. Lots of learning going on, alongside a lot of fun. Fab to see the next batch of soon to be qualified EPs almost at the end of this journey, but at the very beginning of the next one. Some exceptional EPs making their way out in the world to continue the helping of horses.

Also, so lovely to see my favourite boy Dyl, who was part of my case study and who I fell in love with. Still trying to figure out a way I can bring him home with me ;)

Tagging those who have a page, give them a follow and a like, you don't have to be in their area, but I know they'd appreciate the support.

EquiHarmony Equine Podiatry, Kira Leese Equine Podiatry, Hannah Townhill Equine Podiatry Student, Sarah Robinson,

16/05/2025

What a difference 6 weeks makes 🤩🤩. Back to see Corey who was very worried at my last visit, but for this one he totally nailed it.

Consistency and positive reinforcement from his fab owner paid off, and as a result I was able to do a lovely set up trim on ALL 4 FEET!! He was a total star, relaxed throughout, and happy lifting and holding up all 4 feet. He'll be much more comfortable, and we can now work to improve his feet at each trim.

It really does show that listening is so important.