The Humble Hoof

I have been on a bit of a “bodywork” kick lately, just noting how important the whole body is in what we as hoofcare providers see when coming to the feet. Some problems that we might blame on conformation, or “just how the horse is,” might actually resolve with properly addressing issues higher up. We can’t get stuck just looking at the feet! Christy DiColla, an equine sports therapist, travels a...

Tayla Pierce-Hart discusses her journey to rehab with her horse Frankie, diagnosed with navicular and collateral ligament damage, with a vet suggestion of euthanasia. Tayla discusses the avenues they tried to get him sound, and what eventually allowed Frankie to go back in work full time.  Thank you to our sponsors: Use code HUMBLEHOOF for 20% off your first order at  equithrive.com  Use code HRN...

Structural integration involves working with the fascial connections in a horse to help address movement and soundness issues with the goal of solid improvement that doesn't need continued therapy. Saxon Alexandra, a structural integration therapist based out of New England, talks about what Structural Integration is and how it can benefit horses and people.    For more info, see: https://www.actu...

We can influence foal conformation and development long term by how we trim their feet - whether that's good or bad! I speak with Kirsten Proctor, hoofcare provider in upstate NY, about when we should first see foals for hoofcare, and how to set them up long term for success.  Thank you to our sponsors: Use code HUMBLEHOOF for 20% off your first order at  equithrive.com  Use code HRN for 20% off T...

Amy Dell-Anthony of Abbotts View Track Livery talks about what track systems are, how to practically start one, and the benefits we see in horses and their hooves when living on a track.  For more information, check out Amy's book "Horse Track Systems" on Amazon worldwide.  Thank you to our sponsors: Use code HUMBLEHOOF for 20% off your first order at  equithrive.com  Use code HRN for 20% off Trek...

Dr. Sharon Warner talks about her PhD research into the digital cushion in various species, how it functions, and what it is made up of. We also talk about equine biomechanics, and whether the digital cushion can regenerate. Note that at 18:53, Sharon meant to say "retracted" and not protracted.  Thank you to our sponsors!: Use code HUMBLEHOOF for 20% off your first order at  equithrive.com  Use c...

Mollie Murphy and Humble Hoof host Alicia Harlov talk about the new Humble Hoof Rehab Facility - the inspiration behind it, how Alicia and her husband found the property, what it took to get there, and also what the rehab facility is all about. They chat about the rehab approach taken at the property, and what kind of cases may benefit the most from this kind of facility.  For more info: thehumble...

When you have a career with horses, it can be life-altering to get injured. At the least, it can mean unpaid time off work to recover, and at the worst, it can mean the end to your career. So how do you cope, physically and emotionally, after a tragic event?  Heather Wu, a hoofcare provider in KY, talks about her serious car accident that affected her ability to live and work for 6+ months. We tal...

Dr. Craig Lesser, vet podiatrist at Rood and Riddle in Lexington, KY, shares his insight into how to deal with keratomas and chronic hoof abscessing. We discuss maggot debridement, surgery, antibiotics, and more. 

Dr. Kate Horan talks about her study on racehorses, and how various approaches to hoofcare and two different surface options affected the breakover and movement of the horses. 

The seasonal rise of ACTH in the fall can throw many PPID horses into laminitis. How can we better manage this? How do we take care of our metabolic horses to prevent laminitis and founder? Dr. Jaini Clougher and Dr. Kathleen Gustafson, both who have worked with ECIR, discuss how to best manage metabolic horses so they can not just survive, but thrive.  For more information, visit:  ecirhorse.org

Cristina Brogdon, Jodie Jensen, and Alicia Harlov talk about some of their favorite hoofcare patholoy cases they have worked on and why. Stringhalt, laminitis, navicular, and more are discussed, along with what worked and what didn't! 

Dr. Sarah le Jeune and Christina Rohlf discuss footing considerations when it comes to both performance and injury. The discussion dives into recent research on footing factors that affect forces working on the equine limb. 

Dr. Sasha Hill and Stuart Muir discuss various approaches to lameness including diagnostics, as well as navigating the vet/farrier dynamic when working together. We also discuss case studies where diagnostics helped with soundness recovery.  For more info, see: thenaep.com

Denys Antonenko, Nicole Jory, and Lisa Mittler all discuss the surprises - both good and bad - that came along with a career change into hoofcare. We discuss various aspects of the job that are difficult, as well as rewarding. 

Celeste-Leilani Lazaris talks about how the body can affect movement, hoof balance, and soundness. She focuses on the thoracic sling and surrounding soft tissue and some approaches she takes to get horses with weak necks, backs, etc. to a level of comfort in order to grow better balanced hooves, allowing for healthier angles. Celeste talks about the results she sees using the Balanced Through Move...

Dr. Elaine Norton discusses her extensive research into the heritability of equine metabolic syndrome in various breeds of horses, and how that relates to the risk of endocrinopathic laminitis - which makes up 80-90% of laminitis cases. This discussion focuses on her study with Welsh ponies and Morgan horses, but also breaches into her new research involving Arabian Horses, and more.  For more inf...

Sara Hunt, hoofcare provider and boot fit expert based in San Diego, CA, talks about incorporating boot fitting and sales into a hoofcare business. We discuss boot brands, tips and tricks for finding the right fit for the horse, how to charge for fitting sessions, and more!  For more info, see: spectrumequine.com

Terri Beecher talks about how incorrect saddle fit can inhibit movement and ultimately affect hoof balance and soundness. Also discussed are considerations in saddle fit for weaker backs, and adjustments that can be made as a horse is getting back into work.  For more information, see outwestsaddlery.com

Sara Hunt, PHCP member and hoofcare provider, talks about tips and tricks for fitting hoof boots on less-than-perfect hooves. We talk about how to know your hoof boots fit well, how to adjust them for better retention, how to ensure a proper break in period, how to prevent rubs, and more.  For more info, visit: spectrumequine.com

Carey Russ, Hannah Darpoe, Tayla Pierce-Hart and Laura Koskenmaki join a discussion about their horses' navicular diagnoses, prognoses, and how they rehabbed them back to full soundness and even competition without maintenance NSAIDs, injections, or corrective shoeing.  They discuss how their views on navicular changed from before diagnosis to now, after rehabilitation back to work.  Also discusse...

Adele Shaw, international mentor, trainer, and creator of The Willing Equine podcast, talks about how to work with horses to have a more positive farrier appointment. She talks about how to begin working with horses with a history of "farrier phobia," horses who struggle to stand well, etc.  For more info, see: www.thewillingequine.com

Dr. Neal Valk talks about hoof abscesses in horses: what causes them and how to treat them. We discuss how the health of the foot comes into play, and what we can address to prevent abscessing in the future. 

Matthew Jackson, Mark Johnson, and Robbie Richardson join the podcast for a second time, this time about how horses compensate for less than ideal environment, movement, diet, conformation, etc. How does our trim and approach help address this? When should we leave well enough alone and when should we seek to make changes? All of these are discussed, and more. 

Carrie Rule, Kristin Thornberry, Libby Thorman, and Rosemary Zwanenburg join a discussion on hoofcare pricing and the "hidden costs" we don't often think about when running a hoofcare business. Why do we set prices the way we do? Why are cancellations and rescheduling appointments so frustrating? Why is that corrective shoeing package "so expensive"? Hear these topics addressed with this group!