The Humble Hoof

Dr. Renate Weller talks about the movement of the distal limb, and how hoofcare providers can affect biomechanics. Also addressed are how owners can be proactive about preventing soft tissue injury, and some factors that lead to injury.  For more info, contact Dr. Weller:  https://vet.ucalgary.ca/contact-us/renate

Mark Johnson, Matthew Jackson, and Robbie Richardson all discuss their journey from being a fully qualified UK farrier to shifting to barefoot trimming with composite shoeing options. They talk about the catalyst that made them leave steel shoeing behind, and the navigating the stereotypes about "barefoot" in a shoeing-focused hoofcare world. 

Dr. Audrey DeClue discusses two serious causes of hind end movement issues - stringhalt and shivers. She also discusses symptoms, treatments, and times when it affects the front limbs, as well as ways we can keep ourselves safe when handling their feet.  For more info, see:  https://declue-equine.com/about/

Emily Mohring, a farrier and pig trimmer, talks about how she developed the Mohr Method for trimming pig hooves. She also discusses factors that affect pig feet, how long their trimming cycles should be, how their anatomy compares to horses, and what to look for when trying to find someone to trim your pigs.  For more info, see:  www.mohrmethodgroup.com/emily-mohr and www.facebook.com/emilythetrim...

James Shaw discusses how to change our posture and movement to better protect equine professionals and riders from injury when working with horses. He also talks about how he got through his own back injury through the idea of a third movement of the pelvis.  For more info see: ridefromwithin.com

Diane Sept, rider, trainer, judge, and lover of smooth gaited horses, talks about various gaited breeds and considerations for their feet. She chats about her affinity for Tennessee Walking Horses, and the effect the show packages used on them have on their hooves and bodies. Mentioned are a variety of gaited breeds, including Missouri Foxtrotters, Paso Finos, Rocky Mountain Horses, Tennessee Walk...

Dr. Stephen O'Grady discusses hoof changes seen when transitioning horses to barefoot. He discusses his approach to trimming, casting, and barefoot transition. Also discussed are performances horses currently showing successfully barefoot.  For more information on the clinic mentioned in the beginning of the episode, see thehumblehoof.com/shop . For information on the clinic partner, The NAEP, and...

Tinia Creamer and Suzanna Johnson talk about some of the biggest hoof issues they see in surrendered and seized horses that come into Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue. They discuss issues such as neglect ("Lack of Farrier" Disease), laminitis, nutrition, grazing safety, and the positive aspects of adopting through a rescue.  For more info, see: HoP Equine Rescue

Deanna Preis talks about how proper riding and training can influence soundness and hoof health in both a positive or negative way. She also discusses resources such as Straightness Training and her own farm, ShadeTree Stables, to help assess whether your horse is moving properly or not.  For more info, see www.facebook.com/ShadeTreeStables/

Allyssa Stratton, Beth Lynn Lewis, and Michael Linton all join in for an informal chat about characteristics of their favorite clients and horses to work with. We discuss scheduling, horse behavior, communication with owners, and more. 

Dr. Alicia Nolfi discusses laminitis treatment and the reasoning behind various treatments that are used for laminitic horses. She also talks about the importance of taking note of hoof health and laminae health as part of preventive care for the horse, and not simply reacting in triage. Dr. Nolfi discusses radiographs, venograms, mechanics, and the leading cause of laminitis: metabolic issues.  T...

PHCP mentors and board members Leslie Carrig, Jeannean Mercuri, Christina Krueger, and Maia Chaput chat about various topics in hoofcare education. The discussion starts with ways owners can feel empowered in choosing a hoofcare provider they feel comfortable with, and continues to various education opportunities and the benefits of being in a hoofcare organization.  For more info, see: progressiv...

Jec Ballou, host of "Best Horse Practices" podcast and author of the "101 Exercises.." books, discusses potential clues that a horse in training might be struggling with sore feet. She discusses both behavioral issues and improper muscle development that might stem from hidden lameness. We also talk about exercises to work through body compensations from footsoreness.  For more information, see: ...

Sara Hunt, PHCP member and hoofcare provider, talks about hoof boots and how to decide on the right boot for your horse. Also discussed is fitting issues with "wonky" feet, how to assess the best fit, and riding boots versus therapy boots. Stay tuned for another episode on tips and tricks with fitting hoof boots to come! To contact Sara for help with booting, see her website at www.spectrumequine....

Dr. Sara Cook of Black Brook Veterinary Services talks about hoof injuries and acute lameness. In this discussion, she mentions when to call the vet and what can be dealt with at home by the owner. We also take a side track into laminitis, and what the owner can do when dealing with a laminitic horse.  For more info, see:  www.blackbrookvet.com

Lacy Stormes talks about her journey into competing her performance horses barefoot in the professional showjumping world. She talks about management, considerations in trimming, and how she keeps her horses sound and moving well.  For more information, see:  https://www.facebook.com/LacyStormesBarefootShowjumping

Bethan Summers talks about her journey into opening a rehab livery yard boarding facility, and how track systems have benefitted the horses that she has taken in. She also discusses the various kinds of cases she has seen rehabilitated with a track system lifestyle.  For more information, see:  www.facebook.com/gawsworthtracklivery

I chat with Brian Mullins of Mullins Farrier Podcast, Dr. Simon Curtis of The Hoof of the Horse podcast, and Daniel Bennett of Lockdown Farriery podcast about ways we can keep hoofcare providers safe during appointments, which also ensures a safe horse and handler.  For more info, see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/981352 https://play.acast.com/s/thehoofofthehorse https://mullinsfarrier.com/

Curtis Burns talks about his journey into hoofcare and creating the Polyflex composite horse shoe. He shares tips and tricks for getting a good glue adhesion, as well as how he keeps some of the top horses in the world sound and performing their best.  For more information, see:  www.polyflexhorseshoes.com

Krista Jones, From the Ground Up rehab facility owner and certified bodyworker in the UK, talks about the emotional journey of hoof rehab and how owners can work to stay positive during the process. Also in this episode are 3 rehab owners, Helen Farlow, Maria Broomfield, and Kelly Vandervoort.  For more info, see: fromthegrounduprehab.com

Dr. Jenny Susser (sports psychologist), Kendra Skorstad (farrier), and Sydney Kotow (farrier) all discuss how burn out and compassion fatigue affects the equestrian world, but specifically focusing on hoofcare providers for this conversation. While this episode is geared towards professionals, owners might be interested in how cases and owner/farrier interactions can lead to burn out and compassio...

Dr. Simon Curtis, farrier, speaker, and author from the UK, talks about his journey into hoofcare and his PhD. He also discusses foal hoof balance and trimming, dynamic balance versus static balance, racehorses, and hoof growth.  Use the code HUMBLEHOOF to get 25% off his upcoming webinar (May 20, 2021).  For his books, see: https://curtisfarrierbooks.bigcartel.com/

Dr. Tomas Teskey talks about how a horse's tooth balance can affect their movement, soundness, and even hoof wear. He discusses ways to improve their tooth wear and the health of the horse in general.  His book Insight to Equus is available at insighttoequus.com .

Dr. Sara Malone of Rutgers University discusses her research findings on natural asymmetry in the horse hoof and distal limb. She also mentions possible correlations between shoeing, rest, and turn out on hoof health and conformation.  For more information, see: https://animalsciences.rutgers.edu/faculty/malone/

Dr. Lauren Schnabel discusses soft tissue injuries in the hoof capsule and steps owners and hoofcare providers can take to help with rehabilitation. This includes ways we can prevent these injuries from occurring in the first place.  Also discussed in activities such as those in "Activate Your Horse's Core" by Hilary Clayton and Narelle Stubbs.  For more information: https://cvm.ncsu.edu/directory...