Hófring in the Heart - The Hoof Fairy

Hófring in the Heart - The Hoof Fairy Home of The Hoof Fairy. Equine hoof care professional, bodyworker and trainer.

I’m a bit of a book collector and I found this one yesterday. It’s the British military Manual of Horsemastership, Equit...
13/06/2026

I’m a bit of a book collector and I found this one yesterday.

It’s the British military Manual of Horsemastership, Equitation and Animal Transport, published in 1937 by Command of the Army Council.

This is possibly one of the most fascinating books I’ve read, detailing the complete care and training of horses, both ridden and driven, in the context of both the home barracks and in the field during warfare.

From how to water them, how to tie them at picket lines, how to secure them in the field, how to feed them (including ingredients, weights, frequency, special dietary needs for conditions and work load), how to work them, for how long, how to ride them, how to train recruits to ride.

The book is almost 100 years old; seeing how they did things and comparing it to modern times is quite interesting.

Anna thinks people are trying to attack her and pull her down because she’s become visible and successful and that it’s ...
12/06/2026

Anna thinks people are trying to attack her and pull her down because she’s become visible and successful and that it’s just “Tall Poppy Syndrome”.

No Anna, people are calling you out because you abuse horses and drive people to unalive themselves.

———————————————

Today I considered just giving up on blowing the whistle.

People seem to have forgotten. The crowds are slowly crawling back to her page seemingly unaware of who and what she is. And she’s just carrying on, like she never abused a horses, like she never tormented people, like she never took lives. And she does it all with this sort of uno-reverse card.

Then she posts videos of her horse in a 4 beat canter and calls in relaxation and people fawn all over her and her methods like it’s some sort of other worldly magic.

A thread in a dressage group about choosing the right coach that aligns with your ethics and this doozy comment came up....
04/06/2026

A thread in a dressage group about choosing the right coach that aligns with your ethics and this doozy comment came up.

I can’t say I’m shocked but the fact that this is even a mindset within the dressage world is concerning.

02/06/2026

The Facebook algorithm is doing its thing.

When I posted my last pondering question, this came up in my newsfeed.

A pondering:Some support an open bridle, with no noseband or flash to allow the horse to open the mouth and mobilise the...
02/06/2026

A pondering:

Some support an open bridle, with no noseband or flash to allow the horse to open the mouth and mobilise the tongue.

Others see that same open, mobilising mouth and say the horse is distressed or feeling discomfort or pain.

Who is right? How do we tell?

“Saddle your horse the first time like it’s the thousandth time and saddle your horse the thousandth time like it’s the ...
29/05/2026

“Saddle your horse the first time like it’s the thousandth time and saddle your horse the thousandth time like it’s the first time.”

This quote speaks to more than just saddling and riding the horse. It speaks to the importance of consistency, safety, precision, accuracy and connection.

Too many people sneak around their horses and give them lead way to behave in ways that’s are less than desirable.

We could talk simply of saddling. The young horse is likely to fidget or move. It’s expected. That doesn’t mean it should be accepted.
It doesn’t mean you keep saddling them regardless of their antics.
It means you address the problem and go no further until it is addressed.

Let’s look at another simple task. Hind quarter disengagement. The goal is essentially to have the horse turn to face you but so many people will settle at a 3/4 turn with the horse facing on an angle to them.
A young horse we expect this. We shouldn’t accept it though. That means you quietly stay with the “ask” until they get the right answer.
That means that you don’t have to use more extensive measures when they’re older. You’ve set the standard. They know what’s expected.

Take another example; hoof handling.
Many people will accept their horses holding up their feet for 10-20 seconds. The ideal goal should be 3-5 minutes.
Then they wonder why the horse won’t stand still for the farrier.
Because nobody ever gave that horse the chance to learn the rules of the game.
Many horses are fine having their feet picked up but tools being used on them…nope! Because nobody ever taught them that part.

What I’m saying is; start as you mean to go on. Have the end goal in mind. Be clear and firm. Be progressive.

Do things with your horse the first time like you would want it done the thousandth time.

Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Jools Topp. I had the pleasure of spending 3 days opposite her at Equifest a fe...
25/05/2026

Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Jools Topp.

I had the pleasure of spending 3 days opposite her at Equifest a few years ago. She was an incredibly kind and generous woman and an impeccable horsewoman in her own right.

Go well, Jools.

Untouchable girls 💞

A hoof nerd is a hoof nerd regardless of the animal it’s attached to. It just so happens that this hoof belongs to Barry...
23/05/2026

A hoof nerd is a hoof nerd regardless of the animal it’s attached to.

It just so happens that this hoof belongs to Barry, the Kune Kune piglet.

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