Advanced Natural Hoof Care

03/18/2025

The Horse's Hoof Barefoot News March 2025 is released!
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What's in this issue? 🍀 Rehabbing Dropped Fetlocks and Negative Plantar Angles 🍀 Dental Work and Insulin Resistance 🍀 Trimming an OTTB Mare with Thin Soles 🍀 Semi-Feral versus Stabled Horses' Hoof Health 🍀 Mystery Celebrity in Need of Cavallo Hoof Boots 🍀 March Cavallo Boot Giveaway 🍀 That Spring Thing 🍀 And more!

02/19/2025

Bean presented Negative Plantar Angles in the hinds, caused by low heels. This condition pulled his hooves forward, positioning them in front of the pelvis and disrupting his posture. The result? Poor weight distribution and compromised movement.

A proper trim addressed the forward migration and began the process of restoring healthy hoof mechanics. Negative plantar angles impact the entire body and must be corrected at the source.

On top of that, a high-low imbalance in Bean’s front hooves was creating excessive tension on his trapezius muscle. This misalignment forces his body to work harder, leading to stiffness and discomfort. A balanced trim is essential to even out the load, reducing strain and restoring fluid movement.

02/02/2025

The best hoof care is never just about a trim—it’s about reading the horse, knowing their needs, and understanding that balance starts from the ground up. A skilled hoof expert isn’t just a farrier; they’re part athletic trainer, part problem solver, and part horse whisperer. Their patience builds trust, and their knowledge builds strength. Soundness isn’t luck—it’s craftsmanship.

Evrika was exhausted today. During a challenging trim today, we encountered an abscess track that burst with blood when we were cleaning the foot, we treated it accordingly and ended up having to finish the trim on the ground.

01/28/2025

01/27/2025

Max suffers with under-run heels and long toes, leading to excessive strain on his suspensory apparatus and dropped fetlocks. This imbalance affects key structures, including:
• Suspensory ligament: The cornerstone of fetlock support, stabilizing the limb during weight-bearing and movement.
• Check ligaments: Acting as safety nets, these limit overextension of the flexor tendons.
• Superficial and deep digital flexor tendons (SDFT & DDFT): Vital in shock absorption and maintaining limb mechanics.

To help Max, we have introduced boots with two-inch wedge pads, which support his heels, align his hoof angles, and improve overall hoof mechanics. This not only reduces strain on his ligaments but also has a ripple effect throughout his body. With better posture, Max can shift his weight correctly, relieving pressure on his back and improving the entire body.

In 4 months since we introduced wedges we are bringing Max back into balance, we’re not just helping his hooves—we’re addressing their whole-body health, from the ground up. ”

12/29/2024

Aurora’s Journey: From Founder to Recovery

On November 11, 2023, Aurora began her rehabilitation journey after being founder (chronic laminitis). Her hooves showed significant lamellar detachment, with compromised connection between the laminae and the coffin bone—a critical structure for a horse’s stability and comfort.

Over the past year, with consistent natural hoof care, proper management, the right diet and patience, a year later Aurora has made remarkable progress.

Aurora’s recovery is a testament to the importance of tailored care, time, and dedication in addressing laminitis. We’re incredibly proud of her resilience and grateful to be part of her healing process. Here’s to a brighter, sounder future for Aurora!

12/20/2024

When I see someone else who is just as passionate about objective measurements I just have to share it!

11/11/2024

- Max was in a lot of pain laying down, so we came up with a game plan.
Zero heel height has resulted in an extended stretch through the gaskin muscles, as well as the associated tendons and ligaments. Adding an appropriate heel lift via a soft wedge with Cloud Boots EasyCare Inc. Protective Hoofwear appears to have relieved the tension, promoting relaxation across the entire gaskin muscle, hip, and back. Upon arrival we gave Max a complete evaluation and in the video below you can see we could not touch the stifle area without him flinching. (Will follow up on how he is doing next time we see him)

10/29/2024

We’re pleased to share Jack and Scout’s remarkable recovery. Jack had been suffering from chronic laminitis (foundered) for over a year, requiring cloud therapy boots, hardly being able to walk, while Scout experienced frequent soreness, often needing to lie down to find relief. We began their rehab plan in mid-July, and in less than four months, both horses are thriving—running and bucking with the energy and comfort the owner hadn’t seen in over a year. We expect to reduce Jack’s remaining laminar wedge significantly with the next trim, bringing him closer to full recovery! Follow the comments for before and after videos.

10/05/2024

3 Month progress on Evrika.

This is a miraculous 3 months progress with our severely foundered mare Evrika. She has suffered a great deal of bone loss on the coffin bone due to incorrect trimming of the sole under the coffin bone. She has been very lame and unable to walk for a year. But she is a fighter, showing progress walking around and comfort in between bouts of abscessing due to the necrotic Bone loss and damaged tissue under the coffin bone. Once that has been cleared up as she is now protected with boots and a thicker sole and proper angle of the coffin bone, she should be able to move much more comfortably and be much more active.

10/03/2024

Great illustration on heel height
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/nNRYRg6M9UTR3oav/?mibextid=WC7FNe