Hammer and Tongs Farriers

05/01/2025

Congratulations Natasha Susanne and Mysha. Such great news and so well deserved. Good luck and enjoy every minute. Will miss shoeing those beautiful horses.

31/12/2024

It’s been a whirlwind of events. Been in SOUTH AFRICA now for 3 weeks. And my time in England feels like a lifetime ago. Everytime I see a plane in the sky, I get a shock that I have not booked a return flight HOME. But it’s been good to find my feet and wiggle myself back in to family life.

We did Capetown sevens, sons cricket trials, build a cat palace with the boys, for the 3 new kittens!!!!! Adopted a puppy!!!! Enjoyed a family Christmas next to the pool, and spend time in the ocean.

And to cope with the equine withdrawal, I did manage to consult on a few horses.

Looking forward too New Year’s Eve. We have a 5am MTB ride booked on New Year’s Day. Then it’s time to get back to work. Must be the longest I have been away from horses for many years. Met some really nice horse owners. BUT concerned regarding my soft hands and weak back muscles. But excitement starting to build regrading starting up again.

Looking forward to 2025

21/12/2024

UPDATE ON LAMINITIS RECOVERY. THIRD SHOEING. AIM TO RESTORE HPA. AND REALIGN P3 AND DORSAL WALL. REMOVED HIND HEART BARS. AND REDUCE AMOUNT OF DENTAL IMPRESSION MATERIAL. PONY BACK IN WORK.

19/12/2024

ANY UK SMALL ANIMAL NURSES LOOKING FOR AN ADVENTURE.

COME SPEND SOME TIME IN THE BEAUTIFUL GARDEN ROUTE OF SOUTH AFRICA.

🌟 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴!🌟

Vitalvet Animal Medical Centre is looking for a qualified Veterinary Nurse to join our team. If you’re SAVC registered and ready for a new opportunity, we’d love to hear from you! 🐾

📧 Send your CV to Dr. Laura Snyman at [email protected]
📞 Call: 044 050 6000

Join our caring, dedicated team and help us make a ! ❤️

18/12/2024

Just a reminder for England client’s. If your new farrier is due, and he or she has not received a message from me, to please make contact on my UK WhatsApp no and I will send over my shoeing plan and recommendations. Apologies if i missed anyone…..

18/12/2024

Variety in shoeing ideas.

18/12/2024

I’m not sure where to start to describe the most memorable chapter of my shoeing career. From the intense studying and exam preparation, to the amazing horses I had the privilege to work on, to the incredible clients that made every visit special, esp the last few months. It’s been a 8 year journey. And I have learned and enjoyed it so much. My family moved back 2 1/2 years ago. And the support I felt was humbling. And even though everyone was expecting me to move back to SA. You all stayed loyal and supported me to the bitter end. And I can only thank you all from the bottom of my heart. The bacon sandwiches, morning walks and farewell breakfast, farewell dinners, cakes, cards, belts, wines, beers, breast plates and most memorable song is all so much appreciated.

I thank you all and will never forget the horses. There’s too many to mention, but will dearly miss them all.

I have to thank so many people.

Ben benson. You gave me the foot in the door that I needed to be able to start. I’ll be forever grateful, and thank you again for sharing your knowledge and incredible skill. You have achieved so much and I wish you all the best for the future.

Hayden Price, thanks you for giving me the opportunity to work with you and for helping me into my first yard. Even if it was 2 hours away. You gave me an opportunity to work on some amazing horses. Will always think of you when The springboks play Wales.

Loti, you kept my business running for last few years. And thank you for everything you have done. You are an amazing farrier and wish you all the best for the future. And the wedding.

Pete Cox. Thank you for the lift club to the BFBA FARRIER FOCUS every year. And thanks for the sneaky pint on a Friday afternoon. Thank you for the friendship.

To the BFBA for the incredible learning opportunities that you offer the farriers in the UK.

A small little recap. I did more than 25 return flights from the Cotswolds United Kingdom to George South Africa in the last 2 1/2 years. That’s is 50 international and 50 domestic flights. At 9100km one way international and 1200km domestic comes to a total
455000km plus 60000km

= +515 000km

Circumference of eart is 40,075km 24,901miles.

Circumnavigations = 12.8

Once again, thank you for all your support. Please keep in touch and send me fotos and videos of all the ponies. I’d love to stay in touch. And if you ever want to visit. My door will always be open. And can point you in the right direction to have a wonderful unforgettable holiday.

Laat dit goed gaan, wees geseënd en tot ons weer ontmoet.

God Bless @

21/11/2024

There is never a good way to say farewell. But as farewells go, this one was pretty perfect. SNOW, Shoeing these beautiful souls and finish the day with a great hooky ale and a stunning view. What more can you ask for. I will miss you dearly, Brigadier Balmoral and Cromwell. Thank you Nick and Hook Norton brewery for the opportunity to spend time with them. Cant wait to see what the future hold for the 3 of them.

19/11/2024

Remember To check on the horses living out. Snow impact the soles and can cause bruising around the sole if not removed.

03/11/2024

AS EXCITING AS IT GETS FOR FARRIERS. My first load of tools and equipment arrived in GEORGE, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA.
Lots of emotions. Excitement and joy for starting new and being with my family but also lots of sadness for leaving the wonderful horses I had the privilege to worked on, behind in the England. ONE MORE SHOEING BOOKED FOR NOVEMBER THEN BACK IN SOUTH AFRICA FOR DECEMBER.

01/11/2024

CANKER resection on a sport horse.

The etiology and pathogenesis of canker in horses remain unknown. Anaerobic bacteria, spirochetes, and bovine papillomavirus have all been suspected as possible etiological agents.

The disease is characterized as proliferative inflammation of the epidermis and dermis.

Canker in horses usually starts in the central or collateral sulci of the frog, then generally spreads rapidly to the main body of the frog. Canker may extend to the sole and heel bulbs, and it occasionally involves the hoof wall and coronary band.

Poor hygiene and being housed in warm, moist environments are thought to be predisposing factors for canker; however, the disease can occur in horses that undergo regular hoof care and live in ideal conditions.

Canker has historically been reported most commonly in draft breeds, but it can occur in any breed of horse.

Canker is a rare condition, causing abnormal tissue growth.
Canker appears as a cauliflower-like growth on the frog of the hoof, and can be white or gray in color. The tissue is often moist and spongy, and may have a foul odor. The tissue is very painful when touched, and can bleed easily.
Horses with canker may become lame when walking.
Canker can affect one or more hooves, and can spread to the bars, sole, and hoof wall as the disease progresses. Treatment requires surgical removal of the affected tissue. Canker identified early has a better prognosis and is easier to treat. The exact cause of canker is unknown, but it may be related to a bacterial or viral infection. Wet conditions may also predispose to the development of canker.

27/10/2024

A bit of an emotional day. This is where it all started in UK. FIRST client was a lovely young lady with a stunning horse called Buzz. My second client was these three sweet ponies. Shod them the first time early in 2019. They have since retired. And been living the grand life at Aston Stud. This month i pulled their hind shoes. And next month, on my last shoeing round in the UK, i will remove their front shoes, so they can enjoy a proper retirement. Amazing how life works in full circles. And sometimes you just have to listen. My most difficult month lies ahead. But excited for what the future will bring. And thank you to Megan and Jen from ASTON STUD for entrusting me with their horses. You definitely helped to get me started in the UK.