Cat Redwood Equine Podiatrist

20/05/2025

These hooves were pretty nice hooves already but there have been improvements in symmetry on all 4 hooves 😀. This is one of his hinds.

16/05/2025

Please be aware there are still yards in the North West notifying they have strangles. If you know strangles is present on your yard please tell me in advance so I can take appropriate measures.

💉Strangles Vaccination Amnesty 💉

We are taking part in Dechra’s Strangvac Vaccination Amnesty. Please call the office on 0808 168 5580 to speak to one of our vets about the suitability of the vaccine for your horse, or your yard.

A strangles vaccination course consists of:
💉A first vaccine followed 4 WEEKS later by a second vaccine
💉Then, an initial booster vaccine at 6 months
💉Followed by annual 12 monthly boosters (depending on your horse's risk of Strangles)

⭐️ If your horse has the first vaccination before 24.04.25, the second vaccination will be FREE!*

* Visit fees will apply, however this can be done on a zone visit or yard visit.

16/05/2025

More ideas

14/05/2025

☀️💥Please beware of the hard ground... think and plan wherever you can…💥☀️

We always see an increase in lameness’s when the land is hard and dry, and with no rainfall forecast we urge you to be mindful.

Many lameness’s are associated with increased concussion or slipping due to the hard conditions. As we move to the season where many outdoor competitions are being held on grass, think about how hard the ground is - not just at the show but in your horse / pony’s paddock too.

If they are constantly moving, playing, being ridden, jumping on hard ground, particularly with shoes on, then they will be at high risk of concussion injuries.

Common injuries associated with hard ground:
• Concussion and jarring
• Bruised soles
• Splints
• Tendon injuries
• Laminitis - as a result of concussion, which traumatises the sensitive laminae in the foot.
• Sore shins - the signs are swelling to the front of the cannon bone, which may lead to fractures within the bone if the horse is not rested

We can look out for early signs that a horse may be jarring up. They may not be obviously lame yet, but it is time to act and rest:
• Shortening of the stride: a horse may lose the swing and spring in its step as it tries to minimise jarring when its feet hit the ground
• Tension: muscles change their function on hard ground to help reduce concussion. This means they reduce their ability to work independently and compromise overall performance
• Refusing: they may be reluctant to land after a fence, so may start stopping
• Flattening and rushing over a fence: to minimise concussion on landing the horse adjusts its technique to prevent it landing so hard

How can you reduce the risk?
• Good conformation in the first instance
• They must be FIT for the work being asked of them
• Well shod with correct foot balance
• Not carrying excess weight
• Aim to do all ridden preparation including warm ups, on surfaced arenas if this is possible.
• Discuss the pros and cons of anti-concussive pads with your vet or farrier.

Many venues make a real effort to improve the ground, but there is a limit to what can be done in dry conditions. If it feels like concrete underfoot and you can save your horse for another day, you probably should.

14/05/2025

Look at this gorgeous girl practicing her hoof soaking in case this dry spell continues up to her next trim. 😍 Loving the prep.

14/05/2025

Creative ideas for hoof softening 😀

Can't believe I'm writing this 🫢

Because the weather has been so dry, feet will be rock hard and with some horses with thick feet near impossible for my tools to get through!

Since I can't make my tools any sharper than they already are and magically double my grip strength, I would like to ask you all a favour - if you can, could you please soak these feet 30 minutes prior to my arrival, to soften them up a bit?

I know some horses stand better for that than others, so there's no limit to your creativity. You could:

- put a wet pad/rag/carpet cut-off in their boots and pop them on
- pop on a soak boot, kajak bag, or a feed bag (you'll need to secure that one with some vet wrap or similar) and fill with some water
- have them stand in a shallow tray/feed tub filled with a couple of inches of water (you can stand these underneath the haynet they are munching on, so they are less likely to walk out of them)
- have them stand on a soaked towel.

Your help is much appreciated.

PSA: unless your horse is a mini Shetland and needs only one foot soaked, you'll definitely need more water than in the above picture 😄

10/05/2025

We are experiencing extremely dry weather atm and I hate saying it but I wouldn't mind a wee bit of rain 🙈 The hooves are getting extremely hard, if you are able to soak your horses' hooves before my visit it is appreciated but please don't stress your horses out if they won't tolerate it well. I was extremely grateful for my thoughtful clients who found me shady places to trim whilst it has been very hot, even with humongous horses that are difficult to fit in the shade 🤣 ..... I love you 🙏

P.S. Just a cute picture of my pony munching willow 😁

09/05/2025

A nice hoof from today. 😀

23/04/2025

An excellent post from North West Equine Vets

22/04/2025

Say "Cheeeeeese". No purpose to this post whatsoever 🤣 just a fun picture of my clients horse who was enjoying some scratches.