The Humble Hoof

Nick and Ralitsa Hill have traveled the world and trimmed horses and other hooved animals in all kinds of environments. Here they talk about what factors seems to affect hoof health the most, and what considerations there are based on environment.  For more information, see:  http://www.vandtequineservices.com/  

Deborah Davies talks about how training, riding, saddle fit, and horse fitness affect soundness and even hoof wear patterns. She offers tips for telling whether your horse is struggling due to a training or riding imbalance, and gives exercises to find a neutral riding position as well as bodywork exercises for your horse.  For more info, see:  www.equineselfexpression.com Use the code "podcastlis...

Derek Poupard discusses how he incorporates barefoot training for thoroughbreds at Goldolphin in Dubai as well as in Newmarket UK. He discusses the benefits he has seen while doing this, as well as alternative forms of protection including hoof casting and 3D printed pads to mimic the function of the bare hoof.  Also in this episode, thoroughbred trainer Mike DeKock. For more information, see hoof...

Ross Keller, donkey and mule hoofcare instructor with ELPO (Equine Lameness and Prevention Organization), talks about how donkey feet and behavior differs from horses. He mentions ways we can best gain donkeys trust to safely and effectively trim them, as well as what landmarks and guidelines we can use to properly trim the donkey hoof.  For more information, or to find a donkey hoofcare clinic th...

Mike McClure, an exotic animal care consultant and elephant trimmer, talks in this episode about the similarities and differences between elephant feet and horse hooves. Just like with horses, conformation, movement and weight bearing all play a role in how they are trimmed.  For more information on exotic animal care or elephant foot pathology, contact Mike directly at mcclureinternational@gmail....

Wendy Murdoch discusses her Sure Foot balance pads. She talks about proprioception, movement, and posture, and how horse owners and hoofcare providers can utilize balance pads during rehab. For more information see surefootequine.com

Kristin Thornberry talks about the various reasons why a horse might have trouble standing for their hoofcare appointments, and ways that owners and hoofcare providers can help the horse become more comfortable to make for a successful appointment.  Also in this episode: Casey Sexton, Ruth De Gennaro, Jeff Newnham, Beth Lynn Lewis, and Lachlan Phillips. 

Yogi Sharp talks about various studies that have affected the way he approaches his shoeing and hoofcare, as well as what owners can notice to see if their horse is moving in a good direction in regards to hoof health. Yogi also discusses what we should strive for in a healthy hoof.  For more information, see The Equine Documentalist:  https://www.theequinedocumentalist.com/

Christina Cline, co-author of The Essential Hoof Book, discusses ways hoofcare providers and owners can improve the comfort of, and in some cases the appearance of, club feet. Correct trimming, movement, and bodywork all influence high/low feet on horses.  For more information:  https://www.horseandriderbooks.com/product/ESHOBO.html

Dr. Debra Taylor discusses the 3 causes of laminitis and the treatment approach for each, as well as when to escalate the treatment to the next level. She talks about the hardships of working with laminitic horses, and how to better support other professionals through these difficult cases.  Dr. Taylor is available for consultations on cases, for a fee: hoofsmartusa@gmail.com.   For more informati...

Ida Hammer talks about various factors that affects a horse's movement, biomechanics, and health of the hoof. She expands on tools she uses to allow a horse to grow the healthiest hoof possible and move soundly. Trim adaptations, nutrition, glue on shoes/boots, and Formahoof are discussed, as well as bodywork, and she expands on her certification program. To learn more about Ida's program, see her...

Ann Ramsey, an equine rehabilitation specialist based in California, talks about how to approach rehabbing your horse in situations where a stay at a veterinary hospital isn't feasible. She talks about how to build a team to support both you and your equine, as well as things to watch for and how to gauge progress.  For more info on Ann, see:  http://www.equine-rehab.com/

Krista Jones, ESMT and owner of From The Ground Up rehab, and Steven Leigh, hoofcare practitioner, talk about how proper AND improper movement affects soft tissue, muscling, and hooves. Krista and Steven mention things to look for to assess your horse's movement as well as ways to ensure your horse is on the correct path to soundness.  Also mentioned is navicular rehabilitation, track systems, bod...

Dr. Jaini Clougher, veterinarian, and Dr. Kathleen Gustafson, ECIR director and research advisor, talk about diagnosis and treatment of PPID (Cushing's) and IR/EMS horses, as well as rehabbing metabolic related laminitis. Both have been involved with the ECIR online forum, offering free advice for horse owners dealing with a metabolic and/or laminitic horse.  For more information, see:  ecirhorse....

In a continuation from last episode, Scott Cieslar of Mad Barn, Inc. talks about feeding the equine athlete, alfalfa and the hoof, and gut health and the hoof. How do we safely increase calories for hardworking horses? Do they need concentrates/grain? Is alfalfa safe for the metabolic horse? What does gut distress do to the feet? These questions are explored in part two with Scott!    Also in this...

In this episode, Scott Cieslar of Mad Barn talks about various aspects of equine nutrition and how it can affect the hoof. Topics include iron overload, hay testing, supplement stability, trace mineral balancing, and more.  This episode is "Part 1" with Scott Cieslar, stay tuned for Part 2!  A special thank you to Mad Barn for sponsoring this episode. Use code "thehumblehoof" to receive 5% off you...

In this episode, I speak with Shannon Peters, a dressage trainer who has taken horses through Grand Prix and PSG barefoot. Shannon talks about her motivation to take her upper level dressage horses barefoot and how she maintains sound, healthy performance feet.  Also in this episode is her hoofcare provider, Sossity Garguilo. 

In episode 18 of The Humble Hoof, Dr. Robert Bowker talks about his research into the caudal hoof through decades of microscopic study and dissection. He delves into his ideas on trimming to improve the caudal hoof, and how long toes affect the internal anatomy.  Dr. Bowker has many published studies available publicly online, and is continually studying more hooves around the world.   

In this episode, Sam Austin of Red Horse Products answers questions about what might cause thrush and white line disease in horses, and how we can safely treat it without affecting healthy tissue. Also in this episode, Joe Sexton, a microbiologist that has taken an interest in fungi and bacteria on the horse's hoof, elaborates on some research that has been done on white line disease, and what app...

This episode is the lameness history and rehab strategies for my own personal gelding, Vinnie. A BLM Mustang, Vinnie has a history of navicular bone damage, bilateral front lameness, DDFT tears, as well as other pathology in the caudal hoof, and hock arthritis. In this episode, I speak with various farriers, veterinarians, and friends that have seen his rehab journey over the last six years.  Also...

In this episode, Monique Craig of EponaMind in Paso Robles, California talks about how Epona's MetronMind software has allowed them to watch for various trends in hoof radiographs. She discusses what they have come to look for when watching for mediolateral balance as well as HPA, and what we might consider as we approach the hoof and think about our trimming or therapeutic options such as the Epo...

This short teaser episode is a sneak peek into a five day clinic at Daisy Haven Farm with Daisy Bicking. In it, you'll hear clips from Daisy's clinic in November 2019. 

Garrett Ford of Easycare, Inc. shares his journey into the hoof boot world in this episode. He expands on his innovation process, how he tests new products, and some of his favorite and most popular products.  You can see more about Easycare at this link:  https://www.easycareinc.com/ Also featured in this episode: Curtis Burns, Dan Schroeder

In this episode, Dr. Andrew Van Eps delves into new research on laminitis and founder treatment, as well as the importance of prevention. In it, you will hear about the three causes of laminitis, and research into how to approach each cause. Prevention is better than "damage control," and implementing some changes in your horse's diet and lifestyle can make all the difference! If you'd like to rea...

In this episode, Rood and Riddle resident farrier Stuart Muir delves into how to work together with veterinarians for the benefit of the horse. He discusses how hoofcare providers can forge relationships with local vets, work through differences in opinion, and work towards productive collaboration. This episode also features segments from Dave Dawson (NEAEP CEO), Dr. Shawn Morrell (podiatrist, Ro...