The Humble Hoof is a podcast for both horse owners and equine professionals, offering discussions into various philosophies on the health of the hoof and soundness of your horse. Each episode we will explore either a topic in regards to the hoof, such as laminitis or navicular, or focus on an interview with a professional in the hoofcare world- whether it's a farrier, trimmer, vet, bodyworker, etc.Please check us out on Facebook, or at thehumblehoof.com.
Intro/Outro Song Credit: b song by San Holo
https://open.spotify.com/track/3M2UGK6F3Wa0mDIUlFkfWq?si=usCPsqbsRsiPlCLXLmtEiA
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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 discussed is the key factors that helped each horse.
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 discusses the causes, symptoms, and treatments for hoof abscesses in horses. He emphasizes a holistic approach, covering everything from initial diagnosis and drainage techniques to post-care and preventative measures. Valk also addresses common misconceptions, the role of diet and hoof maintenance, and when more aggressive treatments might be necessary.
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!
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/emilythetrimmer and www.tiktok.com/@emilythetrimmer...
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 Walking Horses, among others. She also discusses how to see lameness in a smooth gaited horse. For more ...
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 other clinics sponsored by them, visit theneaep.com ....
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. To consult with Dr. Nolfi, email alicianolfi@yahoo.com
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: progressivehoofcare.org
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: www.jecballou.com
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.com
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 compassion fatigue.
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/