Hófring in the Heart - The Hoof Fairy

30/08/2025

Following on from the poll yesterday it is clear that Pain Signals are what you want to learn about.

And I’ve got to say, after the research papers I’ve been reading, I’m glad to hear that’s what you want to know.

In one study, 2 groups of horses were perceived as sound by their owners. While 72.5-74% of them were found to be lame through objective lameness exams by qualified vets.

Another study of a group of horses showed that only 16% of owners thought their horse was in pain, while objective veterinary assessment showed 77% of the horses to be exhibiting pain.

CLEARLY, there is a massive disconnect between owners being able to identify pain in their horses and the horses actually being in pain.

I am curious though.

If I were to ask you; what do you think is the strongest, most accurate and most closely associated indicator for pain in a horse, what would you say?

Let me know in the comments below ⬇️

29/08/2025

This week alone I have had 2 of my clients reach out to me, heartbroken because their TBs have been diagnosed with kissing spine. I’ve stood with them while tears streamed down their faces.

This is not a rare occurrence for me. And I am just one person.

These are horses I have come to know and love. And the people I have come to know and love. I care deeply for every one of my clients, human and horse.

So yeah, this is personal and I’m going to get a little heavy with my words.

If you don’t like it, well…politely, jog on and go bury your head in the sand out of my sight so I don’t have to see you having a petty meltdown over a few swear words.

We don’t sugar coat s**t here.

The problem is real. It’s happening, whether you hide from it or not.
Ignorance is only bliss for you, not for the horses.

26/08/2025

I’d personally still buy an older horse if I knew it had been started later.

And I think once the message and reasoning got out into the public, buyers would be inclined to that way as well.

👀 LET’S HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS 👀

A common topic that regularly pops up is people calling for racehorses to start later in life, no more 2yr old racing and horses starting their racing careers later on with less of a push for horses to get up and running early. It’s discussed fairly frequently and there is definitely plenty of positives behind the thought process of this but what really interests me is when we are rehoming horses off the track people ideally tend to want 4/5yr olds.

These tend to be the horses that started racing early and have run their racing days by this point rather than your 6yr olds plus who usually actually didn’t start racing til later on. We find the older (6yrs +) horses considerably harder to rehome than the younger ones and so with the discussion on horses starting their racing careers later it certainly leaves me interested in whether the Sport Horse home that take them on later would then in turn be prepared to take on something a bit older seeing there would then be a knock on effect of horses retiring from racing at an older age!

So what’s your thoughts!? What are the reasons you want a 4/5yr old, how many of you look up their racing stats before enquiring (e.g how many starts they had and what age they started racing) and what would be the turn offs for buying something that bit older?

📸 Pictured is Crunchy Babe a 4yr old mare who we retired from racing last week and is now looking for a Sport Horse Home!

26/08/2025

Well at least our government can make positive welfare law changes for dogs.

Do you think they care about race horses to the same extent?
Unlikely as race horses are allowed to be kept in stables for days on.

22/08/2025

There’s been a few posts over the last few days from people in the racing industry in response to “that podcast”.

It’s laughable. Typical gaslighting. Trying to overshadow the reality of what’s happening with the feel good. Hide it. Bury it. Pretend it’s not happening. Sweep it under the rug. The typical MO of the racing industry. Puppets. Sheep. Weak.

Newsflash!

Your feel good stories DO NOT negate the horrors that are happening in the industry.

Your back bone is about as fu**ed as the one below. Perhaps worse cause you’re pretty spineless.

Grow a pair. Act with integrity.

You know this s**t is happening. So speak up and do something about it so that your industry can wholly and completely function with the feel good and integrity that you’re trying to shove down everyone’s throat.

22/08/2025

Happiness is…

Seeing the horses you trim stamp your logo with every step they take.

21/08/2025

With the spotlight back on racing again in recent days, this is worth sharing again.

Many people like Becks Nairn have been beating this drum far longer than I have. And the message remains the same.

Make reforms now or lose the sport of racing altogether.

Racing in its current form is not sustainable and it needs to change NOW!

We will not be silenced.

20/08/2025

Possibly one of the most shocking but important interviews I’ve seen on the subject.

Today on the show… On the podcast .. she has been involved in the horse racing industry most of her life She has kept quiet for years now about the abuse, th...

20/08/2025

Why is the value of joy so underrated?

A few weeks back at a comedy show I got talking to a guy who made the passing comment that his wife, now a mother to his children, use to have horses and now does not and it’s great because he thinks they’re such a waste of time and money.

In that moment my heart broke a little for his wife.

I know all too well how easy it is to lose part or all of yourself in motherhood. It is one of the most important things we will do in our lives; growing, birthing and raising a child. It’s often a thankless task and as mothers, we forsake so much of ourselves for the benefit of our child.

Perhaps his comments hit hard for me because I spent many years being told I was selfish for having horses and spending time with them pursuing personal goals while also raising my two children.

There’s an expectation that mothers put all of their own ambition by the wayside to raise and care for a family and this is often why they lose themselves in the process.

But not everyone has ambition for greatness. I personally have no particular ambition to compete anymore. But I do get immense joy from spending time with my horses and training them. I get gratification out of watching their bodies heal, grow and develop through methodical training. I feel a sense of pride in knowing my work is bettering another being.

And yet…I’m constantly hearing people say that horses are a waste of time and money.

Does my joy hold no value? Does seeing me smile not also bring you joy? Does knowing that in these moments I feel happy and free not appease you?

As parents, there is no greater joy than hearing our children belly laugh. Ohhh it’s my most favourite sound in the world. And anyone else can see the value in that.
But why is the joy I gain from horses of less value than a child’s laughter?

F**k it, guys, seriously.

The next time someone tells you that horses are a waste of time and money, throat punch them and tell them that the value of your smile is priceless.

I’d pay my last dollar to my horse if it meant a smile would cross my face.

19/08/2025