Hoof Nation - barefoot trimming and paddock track systems

10/09/2025

Lady Lucy stepping out in a fresh pair of Easy Care Ones composite shoes today 💅 applied with 3rd Millenium Acrylic glue.

This Queen is golden on the inside and out and will be competing this weekend ♥️

03/09/2025

SLEEP DEPRIVATION - (since it's come up a few times recently)

From my experience of working with sleep deprivation, we need to rule out all areas of stress in your horse's life.

In order to do this, we need to understand what your horse finds stressful and then we need to do our level best to remove the stressor(s)

Pain is obviously a huge stressor for horses and so determining if your horse is in pain, and if so, where, will be hugely helpful. Then you can formulate a treatment plan to deal with that - for some horses, that may be a pain trial of some description to see if there is pain, if there are no obvious indicators.

I also have found that spinal pain, sacroiliac pain and hock pain have presented in many of the cases I have worked with - receiving propulsion from the hind feet, through the hocks, SI and into the spine might be a bridge too fair for some.

Equally, neck pain may mean that your horse hurts when they try to use their neck as a lever to get up off the floor or load their forelimbs to pull themselves up.

Silent contributor to discomfort in your horse - HOOF BALANCE. If your horses feet hurt, the rest of their body will too. If your feet hurt, you may feel motivated to get off your feet and lay down. But for horses, they need to push themselves up off the floor via their feet and so if they hurt, theyre going to be less willing to put themselves in a situation where they need to use that level of pressure/exertion.

Recognising hoof imbalance is one thing but it's going to continue to be a problem until you have resolved it. This means your horse needs appropriate management in the form of anticoncussives (boots and pads, shoes and pads, composites - I have no preference on what, it's whatever your horse needs)

What have you done to rule out pain?

If you have found bodily issues, how are you managing them?

If someone says your horse has no pain, how have they qualified that?

Be wary that many people who say "your horse has nothing wrong with it" may not actually have sufficient skills to see the problem in the first place.

Please note here - I said skills NOT qualifications. There are many professionals out there who are cataclysmically awful at recognising pain. There might be a neon sign, but they would fail to see it.

Finally on the pain point - be wary if someone says "it's not severe enough to be a problem to your horse" - how can you tell it's not a problem? And equally, it's another stressor in the stress bucket, adding to the stress levels which make your horse feel not safe and therefore not safe enough to lay down.

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Environment plays a huge part on a horse's propensity to feel safe enough to lay down and sleep.

Horse's are herd animals - they tend to feel safest around other horses. For many horses, seeing other horses over a stable door/fence line is not enough for them. They need to be able to physically contact other horses/play/groom/move around with them.

Within this, they need to feel safe with the other horses they are with. So that means they need a stable herd and they need the capacity to make friends - so other horses need to be around long enough for them to do so. This is not helped by livery yards where horses tend to chop/change within the field dynamic or move away completely.

Does your horse have friends within their herd? That doesn't mean they are out with other horses and therefore are fine, that means who do they like to spend time with?

Are they pushed around by other horses?

If they are pushed around by other horses, can they have some quiet time in a separate area with a friend or two to give them a chance to settle their nervous system?

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We might have our horses out 24/7 but often times we dont provide somewhere nice for them to lay. We have had an unseasonably dry summer in the UK and so horses that are out 24/7 often have nothing other than rock hard ground to lay on. It's not exactly comfy for them and if they have pain in their body, less so!

With this in mind, does your horse have a nice soft place to lay? Some horses may even opt to lay on their hay bale if they have one provided in the field. But maybe a bed in a field shelter, thats large enough for horses to not fight over it, would be a good idea.

Some horses will not lay down in stables, especially if they find separation from others stressful, though some horses may have been institutionalised and therefore only lay down in a stable.

If the stable is the only place they can lay, do they feel safe there?

Are they relaxed in their stable?

Do they willingly go in?

Is the stable big enough for them to lay down flat out?

If the answer to any of the above is no, I would not suggest trying to put your horse in the stable to get them to sleep - it will only increase their stress levels.

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I personally do not feel it is acceptable to ride or work horses who are sleep deprived - if they are unable to get REM sleep, they are not going to be in a situation where they can recover from exertion and if you're tired, everything is exertion!

With this in mind, I would be prioritising enrichment activities that target nervous system down regulation and promote horse appropriate behaviours such as browsing/foraging. This could include treat scatters/scentwork. I highly recommend Rachael Draaisma's work for this.

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Lastly, human regulation - how do you show up for your horse?

Can you manage your own nervous system or are your moods like the wind, blowing in different directions?

Are you pleasant to be around? Or are you volatile and easily provoked by your horse's behaviour?

Do you prioritise your horse's emotional wellbeing over what you want to do with them?

This is not an exhaustive list of considerations. It is a place to start and I hope it might help someone and their horse!

20/08/2025

EMS, PPID, IR, HAL – SORTING OUT THE METABOLIC MINEFIELD

The language around metabolic laminitis is a mess. Insulin resistance, Cushing’s, metabolic syndrome, hyperinsulinaemia—it’s not always clear where one ends and another begins. But these terms matter, because they guide testing, treatment, and long-term management.

Here’s a breakdown of the four most commonly used terms—EMS, PPID, IR, and HAL—how they differ, where they overlap, and what that means for your horse.

A NOTE ON PATTERNS – AND EXCEPTIONS

The profiles below reflect common patterns, not hard rules. Yes, EMS usually shows up in younger horses. Yes, PPID tends to appear in those over 15. But horses don’t read textbooks.

• PPID has been diagnosed in horses as young as 7

• EMS can persist into old age

• Hyperinsulinemia doesn’t always come with fat pads or distortion of the white line.

So treat patterns as helpful—not as diagnostic gates.

1. INSULIN RESISTANCE (IR)
What it is: A mechanism, not a diagnosis. The horse’s tissues stop responding properly to insulin, so the body produces more. The result is chronic hyperinsulinaemia.

Typical age: Any age—including young horses.

Risk factors:

• Easy keepers

• Low movement

• Rich forage

• Stress

• Genetic predisposition

Signs:

• Regional fat pads (crest, shoulders, tailhead)

• “Footy on hard ground”

• Hoof distortion (flare, stretched white line)

• Sudden or unexplained laminitis

Management focus:

• Remove high-sugar/starch feeds

• Encourage movement

• Reduce stress

• Support weight loss only if needed

• Use insulin testing

Note: IR is not a diagnosis. It’s part of EMS, PPID, or both—or it may precede either.

2. EQUINE METABOLIC SYNDROME (EMS)
What it is: A clinical syndrome characterised by insulin dysregulation. Often reversible.

Typical age: Typically 5–15 (but can appear earlier or later)

Risk factors:

• Native and cob types

• Chronic overfeeding

• Lack of movement

• Inflammatory load

Signs:

• Cresty neck, fat pads

• Reluctance on hard ground

• Toe-first landings, hoof distortion

• Radiographic changes before clinical pain

• Sudden laminitis without warning

Management focus:

• Tight control of forage and calories

• Restore movement gradually

• Cut unnecessary supplements

• Test insulin

Note: EMS can improve dramatically—but not if ignored.

3. PITUITARY PARS INTERMEDIA DYSFUNCTION (PPID)
What it is: A progressive neurodegenerative disease that disrupts hormone regulation (especially ACTH).

Typical age: Usually 15+, but has been diagnosed in horses as young as 7.

Risk factors:

• Ageing horses

• Especially geldings

• Pain, chronic stress, past injuries

Signs:

• Delayed shedding / long or curly coat (often a late-stage sign)

• Muscle wastage (topline, glutes)

• Lethargy, dullness, or behaviour changes

• Drinking/urinating more

• Recurrent infections (skin, hooves, sheath)

• Suspensory ligament breakdown

• +/- insulin dysregulation

Important: It’s a common misconception that PPID = hairy coat. In reality, many horses—especially in earlier stages—shed normally or just slightly late. If coat changes are the only thing we’re looking for, we’ll miss many cases until complications like laminitis or immune dysfunction appear.

Management focus:

• Pergolide (Prascend®) to regulate hormone production

• Seasonally adjusted ACTH testing (especially in autumn)

• If insulin is elevated: manage concurrently as EMS

• Dietary control, stress reduction, and proactive hoof care

CAN YOU MANAGE PPID WITHOUT MEDICATION?

Technically yes—but not effectively or safely in most cases.

PPID is progressive. Once dopaminergic neurons are lost, nothing restores their function—except pergolide. No supplement or management plan can suppress ACTH the way this drug does.

What about herbs?
Chasteberry, ashwagandha, milk thistle, and various “pituitary support” blends have no robust scientific support.

One small study showed short-term coat improvement with chasteberry but no ACTH suppression

Pergolide was significantly more effective in every head-to-head trial

No herbal product reduces laminitis risk or slows disease progression

Bottom line: Herbs are not alternatives. At best, they’re adjuncts. At worst, they delay treatment.

4. HYPERINSULINAEMIA-ASSOCIATED LAMINITIS (HAL)
What it is: Laminitis caused directly by high insulin levels—regardless of the underlying condition.

Typical age: Any. Seen in young ponies, middle-aged horses, and seniors alike.

Risk factors:

• Any horse with insulin dysregulation

• Horses under stress

• Sudden diet changes

• Box rest or inactivity

Signs:

• Laminitis with no obvious dietary trigger

• Painful or “silent” events

• May occur after weather shifts, pain, turnout, or medication change

Management focus:

• Restrict diet immediately

• Reduce insulin fast

• Provide hoof support and rest

• Monitor long-term insulin status

Note: If insulin is elevated and laminitis is present—it’s HAL, no matter the label.

SUMMARY – HOW THE TERMS COMPARE

INSULIN RESISTANCE (IR)

Type: Mechanism

Age: Any

Risk: Genetics, diet, stress

Reversible? Yes

Laminitis risk: Yes, if insulin is high

EQUINE METABOLIC SYNDROME (EMS)

Type: Syndrome

Age: Typically 5–15

Risk: Native types, lifestyle mismatch

Reversible? Often

Laminitis risk: Yes

PITUITARY PARS INTERMEDIA DYSFUNCTION (PPID)

Type: Disease

Age: Typically 15+, but can be younger

Risk: Neurodegeneration, stress

Reversible? No (progressive)

Laminitis risk: Only if insulin is also dysregulated

HYPERINSULINAEMIA-ASSOCIATED LAMINITIS (HAL)

Type: Mechanism

Age: Any

Risk: Any insulin-spiking event (diet, stress, pain)

Reversible? N/A

Laminitis risk: Always

INSULIN TESTING IN HORSES – FASTING VS. FED

Contrary to common assumption, insulin testing in horses is usually done unfasted.

Why?
Because insulin dysregulation is a problem of response — not just baseline levels.
We want to see how the horse handles sugar intake, not how it behaves in a metabolically quiet state.

FOR MOST HORSES, THIS MEANS:

No fasting overnight

Offer a flake of low-sugar hay 4–6 hours before the test

In some protocols, a small amount of soaked hay or fibre feed is given 1–2 hours before blood draw (ask your vet)

DYNAMIC TESTING (e.g. ORAL SUGAR TEST):

Involves giving Karo syrup or dextrose

Measures insulin response after a sugar challenge

More sensitive than resting insulin alone

Helps detect early or borderline cases

WHY FASTING IS RISKY OR MISLEADING:

Fasting can lower insulin artificially, masking early dysregulation

Some horses (e.g. with ulcers or laminitis risk) should never be fasted

Fasting doesn’t reflect real-life responses to normal forage intake

BOTTOM LINE:
Unless your vet specifies otherwise, most insulin testing should be done with recent hay on board.
We’re not looking for a flatline — we’re looking for how the system reacts.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Don’t assume a 12-year-old can’t have PPID

Don’t guess insulin status—test it

Don’t treat neurodegeneration with herbs

Don’t wait for obvious symptoms—many of these horses look “fine”… until they’re not

Because laminitis isn’t just about the hoof.
It starts with hormones—and it ends with what we do (or don’t) manage.

20/08/2025

The COBIT.

This nifty little gadget hails from Canada, a friend was visiting family there recently and was kind enough to bring me back one ♥️

While there is no substitute for a trained eye, i thought this might be fun to have a play with and see if my eye balance and the science match up - new things are nothing to he threatened by, and hey, you might learn something ;)

The lovely Felix was patient enough today to let me have a go - this is his club foot we have been working on rebalancing for the last few months.

The COBIT
Centre Of Balance Interpretation Tool.

This balance plate helps you locate the centre of balance, ideally a 50/50 split of weight distribution. It aligns the phalangial joints and interprets where ideal heel loading, midline and breakover should sit. The bottom of the plate has holes to draw in Sharpe where the three points should sit. If the hoof is in balance there will be clearance below the toe and the heel as it pivots over its correct centre.

I can see this being a great aide for pathological feet, and glue on shoes too.

14/08/2025

10/08/2025

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSSG3L3HP/

66 likes, 7 comments. “Can larger, heavier horses go barefoot? Short answer is: YES! The longer answer is that there’s no barrier to going barefoot just because the horse is large. But it all comes down to doing the right thing for the horse and its hooves. When the hooves are trimmed often enou...

08/08/2025

"What's the best supplement for...?'

I've been asked this more times than I can count! Horse owners are often prepared to bypass the fundamentals for a magical solution or quck fix - the intention behind this search often has the horses needs or best interests at heart, but the fact remains that if the base nutritional needs are not being met you are falling for the marketing gimmick of a completely unregulated industry.

A basic hay test cost around the same as a lot of the flashy supplements you've probably experimented with...balancing the diet to the horses forage is the best way to meet their nutritional requirements.

It can be a bit daunting delving into the unknown, and hay testing is not heavily marketed like all the magic fix all supplements *but* your horse will likely only need a few things tweaked to meet all their needs. The bottom line, feeding only what your horse requires will save you a whole lot of time and money.

Knowledge is power, use it to benefit your horse. An independent equine nutritionist will be able to assist you to interpret the results and formulate a balanced diet for your horse. In my experience, every aspect of my horses behaviour, training and self wellness improved after addressing the basic dietary requirements.

NO POINT IN ADDING A SUPPLEMENT IF...

The basic diet is not balanced OR

The horse's environment and lifestyle is not healthy

Supplements can be very useful additions for certain circumstances, but they are likely to be a waste of money if the horse does not have a well balanced diet containing all the essential nutrients, and if the horse does not have a clean, healthy environment and lifestyle.

Simple, but not always easy - and rarely easier than buying a tub of something to add to the feed bucket.

In current tight times, don't waste money on supplements that won't be effective when the basics aren't in place.

It's worth taking the time and putting in the effort to get the basics sorted out - the horse will benefit.

After that, the horse might not even need that supplement (for hooves, lungs etc) but if they do, it will likely to be a lot more effective!

For a deep dive into supplements (and feeds), you can access an on-demand webinar - find out more by commenting webinars below.
🐴🍏

05/08/2025

30/07/2025

Don’t ignore the back of the hoof! A compressed or squeezed-out heel bulb can be a sign that the hoof capsule isn’t doing its job. 🚨

This is a common occurrence in shod horses, and pretty much always improves when shoes are taken off and the hoof is able to function properly. And remember: small heel bulbs that hang out at the back of the hoof isn't "just a cosmetic" thing - it affects the horse's hoof health, movement and general wellbeing 🐴

23/07/2025

It is wild that the idea that unmet needs and the resulting stress causes behavioural problems in horses is so offensive to some people.

Way too many horse people are so hung up on the idea that extremely coercive (and usually painful) equipment is “necessary” because they handle explosive horses.

All the while, they miss the point that there are more means of solving those explosive behaviours than just slapping a lip chain on.

Why is it preferable to assume that horses are just being “naughty”?

Or that high end horses are just all “crazy”?

Or that these problem behaviours that “necessitate” harsher methods of control couldn’t possibly be resolved by any other means than using harsher bits, nose or lip chains or any other means of forcing compliance due to increasing the threat of pain?

Why is the idea that we can dramatically alter behaviour and create far more manageable horses by looking at the causes of unwanted behaviour so offensive?

This self disabling mentality that so many horse people possess where they create this black and white picture where the only options are “let the horse be dangerous” or “throw on harsher equipment” is behind so many of the issues we see in the industry.

The reality is that there’s a variety of shades between the black and white.

Bandaid fixes like harsher equipment only work but dealing with the problem as it is already happening in the moment.

Systemic fixes are an all encompassing approach that addresses what is driving the behaviour in the first place, rather than just focusing on maintaining control as it is already happening.

Humans are not as helpless to address behavioural problems as they make it out to be.

There are way more options than “do nothing” or “seek control by force and continue on the way things are.”

Horses are a product of their environment.

I could make every single one of my horses behave crazily if I took them out of their herd, isolated them and confined them to a stall for 18+ hours a day and then pulled them out only for the work I expect them to do.

Every. Single. One.

Environmental factors contribute to behavioural problems way more than the horse industry is ready to admit.