Ironbark Barehoof Trimming

07/10/2025

Couldn't say this better ourselves 😊

Hoof care isn’t one-size-fits-all, and sometimes the tools we choose can make all the difference. While the rasp is the traditional go-to, there are occasions where I reach for old-faithful....

For horses with very dense, rock-hard feet, the grinder allows for an efficient trim without putting unnecessary strain on my body. In the right circumstances, and with a calm, suitable horse, it’s a safe and effective way to get the job done well.

It’s not about replacing old methods, but about having the right tool available when the situation calls for it.

30/09/2025

Such good advice, and sets the young horse up for good cares (and good homes) for the rest of its hopefully long life 🙂

Let this be the ugly, stark reminder no one wants to see.
Foaling season is here, and with an abundance of babies being born every single day, it is so tempting to be swept up with the "oh so cutes" and "let them be babies".

Handle your young horse!
You don't need to spend an hour every day doing things. Running your hands over them for a few minutes every so often, asking very simple questions and giving them easy answers to find.
Move your bum over here, let me grab that bit of stick out of your tail, let me touch your ears and face, pick up this foot please and thankyou.

You tell me what you'd prefer? Handling the hind leg of a weedy weanling or a grown mature horse? I'd take the weanling any day of the week 👏

Doesn't have to be perfect, but if you don't do it young you end up like the horse below. Big, grown and very strong willed.

If you can't find the time, ability or knowledge to do so, then outsource this to a trainer who can help set your baby up for long term success.

Handle. Your. Youngstock.

31/07/2025

We couldn't have said this better ourselves 😁

Start handling your foal’s feet early and schedule prompt farrier visits to support healthy limb development and instill good manners for lifelong hoof care.

21/07/2025

An interesting read on sedation for horses whilst being trimmed. We mostly will refuse to trim a sedated horse, for various reasons...
For example 1. the flight response is so deeply ingrained in horses that this will often override sedation - with very little to no warning, the farrier is in an incredibly dangerous position as the horse suddenly attempts to escape.
2. A sedated horse may have lessened proprioception, so could inadvertently fall on the trimmer or be unable to balance itself successfully on 3 legs.
3. Pain can override sedation effects, and should be treated with appropriate analgesia, not sedation.
4. the recommendation that a vet be present to administer recovery drugs isn't always possible ... both vets and trimmers have busy schedules, and it isn't always realistic to expect vets and trimmers to have diaries which align :D

Over the years we've seen all of the above situations occur with sedated horses, and it's simply not worth our lives/livelihood to put ourselves in such a risky position.
Sedation is no substitute for good training. This should start with breeders, continue with trainers, and be maintained by regular hoof maintenance (cleaning the hoof out daily etc) from the owner

A veterinarian describes when sedation might be necessary for your horse’s farrier visit, common sedatives for farrier work, and safety considerations.

17/07/2025

:)

Your farrier plays an important part in your horse’s hoof health. Remembering a few simple things can help the appointment run smoothly.

10/06/2025

We can't emphasise these hints enough, especially the last point 🙂
We (the owner and the hoof care professionals etc) are all part of a team, dedicated to keeping your horse sound and healthy 🙂

Working in the equine industry is one of the best jobs out there (we reckon!), but it can be tricky sometimes with all the organisational and practical hurdles involved. There are lots of ways you as a client can make it easier on your equine professional whether it is your hoof trimmer, bodyworker, vet, saddle fitter, dentist etc. Here are just some things you can do to be a GREAT client! What else do you do to help your hard working equine professionals?

10/06/2025

This is SO interesting 🙂
It explains why we trim each horse (indeed each foot) individually, in an effort to find and then maintain the sweet spot to keep that horse functionally sound 🙂

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B18nU3FtR/

01/06/2025

Some handy tips on introducing a new horse into your herd :)

Follow these steps to safely and successfully introduce a new horse to an existing herd.

10/05/2025

These points are impossible to overemphasise ... especially in the high-sugar "improved" pastures found in south-east Queensland.
Great for fattening cattle for early turn-off, absolutely terrible for long-term good health and functional old age for our beloved equines.
Knowing this, we believe it's our moral responsibility to try to alleviate the effects of laminitis as much as we can 🙂
The ECIR group is an internationally well-respected fount of knowledge in managing the insidious effects of metabolic issues in horses 🙂

Laminitis Alert: 80% to 90% of all laminitis cases are the result or metabolic issues. If your horse, donkey, pony, or mule has laminitis, assume that your equine has EMS/IR (Equine Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Resistance) and start him or her on the Emergency Diet right away. Blood tests are also in order. Test glucose and insulin for EMS/IR, and if PPID/Cushing's disease are suspected, test ACTH. For details on the best ways to deal with and prevent laminitis, go here: https://bit.ly/2J4ZgYT

03/05/2025

We had fun at an International School of Integrative Hoofcare workshop with Daisy Alexis Bicking a couple of years ago. So good to spend days in the company of equally passionate hoof care providers 😊

28/04/2025

A David Landreville clinic we went to a couple of years ago :)
It's always interesting to hear other points of view :)