Коне без подкови България / Barefoot in Bulgaria

13/06/2025

Over a decade ago, I was boarding at a barn where there was a difficult laminitis case cause by a severe illness/fever (a SIRS based laminitis case). At that time, I wasn't as involved in hoofcare, but I do remember the recovery being pretty remarkable - especially for such a tricky case - and one veterinarian would come and do acupuncture throughout the process to help with pain levels during the laminitis rehab.

Since then, I have been following Dr. Ralitsa Grancharova-Hill as she uses alternative therapies in a variety of cases, including lameness. I reached out to Dr. Hill to see if she would talk a bit about what acupuncture is, how is works, and what cases she has used it for.

You can hear the entire conversation on any podcast app under "The Humble Hoof,' or directly at this link: https://thehumblehoof.com/2025/06/13/alternative-therapies-for-lameness-acupuncture/
Thank you to our amazing sponsors:

Cavallo Hoof Boots is offering 15% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRN

A special shout out to Grid as New, Mud Control Grids – they are a game changer for any mud issues, big or small! – mudcontrolgrids.com

Also be sure to check out Hay Boss Feeders – haybossfeeders.com – for all your slow-feeding needs. I get my Hay Boss feeders from Mountain Lane Farm in NH!

27/05/2025

NIck & Jeff discus their thoughts on equine podiatry , their thoughts on boots, use of adhesives and husbandry.

13/05/2025

🐴✨ “What if one insight could transform your relationship with your horse forever?” Get ready for powerful conversations with world-class horse experts, trainers, and equine professionals! 💡 Watch now and unlock new possibilities for you and your horse!

11/05/2025

Part one of our holistic horse care series featuring Nick Hill.For more info, please visit the site below! https://www.barefoothorse.info/profile/nick-hill-r...

23/12/2024

27/11/2024

So you want to buy that horse?

How do you know if it is as you think you see it?

Get a vet check? Yes of course but it will just say that on the day that the horse is ok or not.
X rays? Scans? Again it tells you if at the time of taking those diagnostics if everything is clear or not.
Ride the horse? On the day again.
Get someone else to come and see as well? Again it’s on the day.
Shod ? Depends upon the shoeing cycle and how well shod .
Barefoot ?Again depends upon the trimming cycle and how balanced the hooves are.

So what would I recommend?

Definitely get a thorough vet check, not just limbs and body but heart and lungs and make sure that the vet sees the horse on all surfaces in hand and ridden in all paces. So yes you might have to pay for a whole afternoon but be present at the vetting.
Possibly get a better rider to try the horse out.
Ask to see the horse barefoot after being trimmed for 2 weeks, make a Hoof Wear Pattern Schematic and then you will see the strengths and weaknesses of the whole horse.
Go and see the horse 2 or 3 times.
If someone pushes you to buy, be patient and never trust someone selling even if you know them well.
Take your time especially if you are not a professional.
It’s so easy to let your emotions run wild especially when you feel that you click, so always take someone with you.
If you are uncertain about anything just tell the seller that it’s not the horse for you.
If you like the horse but want to return let the seller know that you are not a tyre kicker and that you are serious 😊

26/11/2024

21/11/2024

Why is it we wait so long until the pathology is so advanced?
Why don’t we start youngsters off properly and avoid so much pathology?
When are people going to stop trying to fix hooves with an outdated material?
Let’s start looking more closely when we see the start of distortion and stop trying to normalise it!