The Humble Hoof

Pulling shoes on horses can be so much more than just "pulling shoes" if we want them to be comfortable long term. Hoofcare providers Jen Rakas, Sara Hunt, and Anna Drabble talk about tips and advice for helping the barefoot transition to be a successful one that keep the horse comfortable and the owner prepared for what to expect. Thank you to our amazing sponsors:Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOFCavallo Hoof Boots is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRNAnd special shout out to Grid as New, Mud Control Grids – they are a game changer for any mud issues, big or small! – mudcontrolgrids.com

Dr. Van Eps discusses myths and misunderstandings about laminitis diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. To reach out to Dr. Van Eps or look into donating to laminitis research, visit: https://www.vet.upenn.edu/research/academic-departments/clinical-studies-new-bolton-center/centers-laboratories/van-eps-laminitis-laboratoryThank you to our amazing sponsors:Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOFCavallo Hoof Boots is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRNAnd special shout out to Grid as New, Mud Control Grids – they are a game changer for any mud issues, big or small! – mudcontrolgrids.com

Originally published in 2019, this episode includes a conversation with Dr. Andrew Van Eps about the three main causes of laminitis as well as their treatment. Dr. Van Eps will also be on the next podcast episode with updated research from the last 4 years on laminitis treatment and prevention. Thank you to our amazing sponsors:Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOFCavallo Hoof Boots is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRNAnd special shout out to Grid as New, Mud Control Grids – they are a game changer for any mud issues, big or small! – mudcontrolgrids.com

David Rendle, president of BEVA, talks about the latest in laminitis treatment research and new medications that are showing great promise. To contact, reach out to: daverendle@me.comThank you to our amazing sponsors:Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOFCavallo Hoof Boots is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRNAnd special shout out to Grid as New, Mud Control Grids – they are a game changer for any mud issues, big or small! – mudcontrolgrids.com

Bernie Harberts talks about his cross country treks on his mules, along with how he handled their hoofcare and hoof booting. Look out for his memoir "Two Mules to Triumph" about his adventures!For more info, see: riverearth.comThank you to our amazing sponsors:Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOFCavallo Hoof Boots is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRNAnd special shout out to Grid as New, Mud Control Grids – they are a game changer for any mud issues, big or small! – mudcontrolgrids.com

Deciding when to euthanize in cases of lameness or chronic pain is never an easy decision. Dr. Sara Cook of Black Brook Veterinary Services talks about guidelines for making this choice, and how to know when it might be the kindest option for your equine companion. Thank you to our amazing sponsors:Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOFCavallo Hoof Boots is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRNAnd special shout out to Grid as New, Mud Control Grids – they are a game changer for any mud issues, big or small! – mudcontrolgrids.com

Originally published in 2021, this episode include Dr. Jenny Susser, Kendra Skorstad, and Sydney Kotow, all talking about burn out and compassion fatigue in equine professionals. Thank you to our amazing sponsors:Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOFCavallo Hoof Boots is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRNAnd special shout out to Grid as New, Mud Control Grids – they are a game changer for any mud issues, big or small! – mudcontrolgrids.com

White Line Disease can wreak havoc on a horse's hoof capsule. Travis Burns talks about what it is, what might contribute to its development, and common treatments. Thank you to our amazing sponsors:Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOFCavallo Hoof Boots is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRNAnd special shout out to Grid as New, Mud Control Grids – they are a game changer for any mud issues, big or small! – mudcontrolgrids.com

One of the hardest things to know is if what we are doing for the horse is the right thing for that current situation at that current time. Hoofcare choices can depend on many different factors - so how do we know if we are taking them all into consideration to ultimately help the horse?Pat Reilly, Chief of Farrier Services at New Bolton Center in PA, talks about evidence-based podiatry and tools and metrics we can use to measure changes in both hoof morphology as well as movement and biomechanics. Thank you to our amazing sponsors:Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOFCavallo Hoof Boots is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRNAnd special shout out to Grid as New, Mud Control Grids – they are a game changer for any mud issues, big or small! – mudcontrolgrids.com

Daisy Bicking talks about a laminitis case study that wasn't doing well at home, despite the perfect diet and a dry lot. Daisy discusses how the management was adjusted so that this horse began thriving and is now back in ridden work, even after years of laminitic setbacks! Thank you to our amazing sponsors:Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOFCavallo Hoof Boots is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRNGrid As New Mud Control Grids are a game changer for any mud issues - mudcontrolgrids.com

Dwarf miniature horses may seem cute, but unfortunately they come with a lot of health concerns and often have extensive limb and hoof issues. Josh Dolan of The Peeps Foundation chats about how he approaches corrective trimming and shoeing on these dwarves, and what else we can do to help. Thank you to our amazing sponsors:Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOFCavallo Hoof Boots is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com wi is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRN

Grazing horses safely can take a lot more than just tossing horses out on grass. How do we know if the grass is safe, how can we minimize risk for laminitis, and how can we ensure our land and horses stay as healthy as possible in the process?Cherrie Nolden discusses this and more. Thank you to our amazing sponsors:Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOFCavallo Hoof Boots is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com wi is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRN

As a hoofcare provider, seeing a horse with DSLD is one of the most heartbreaking things to deal with. These horses often slowly decline in comfort, and it can feel helpless trying to figure out a way to slow this progression. For years I’ve been wanting to do a podcast episode with a veterinarian about DSLD, but had a hard time finding someone willing or with expertise in this area. Until now!Dr. Sabrina Brounts has spent significant time studying tendon and ligament damage and repair, and now has harnessed her focus on DSLD. I reached out to her to chat about this condition, why the name change to ESPA hasn’t stuck, past, current, and future diagnostics and treatments, and more!A special shout out to our amazing sponsors!Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOFCavallo Hoof Boots is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com wi is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRN

I have been on a bit of a “bodywork” kick lately, just noting how important the whole body is in what we as hoofcare providers see when coming to the feet. Some problems that we might blame on conformation, or “just how the horse is,” might actually resolve with properly addressing issues higher up. We can’t get stuck just looking at the feet!Christy DiColla, an equine sports therapist, travels across the States working on seriously hardworking horses… so when she told me that she sees some common issues in these horses that have been affecting their feet, I knew I had to chat with her!In this episode we talk about a handful of things, but spend a bit of time on high/low hooves and where at least part of this issue may lie.A special shout out to our amazing sponsors!Equithrive offers supplements for everything from metabolic health to joint support – get 20% off your first order at equithrive.com with code HUMBLEHOOFCavallo Hoof Boots is offering 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots at cavallo-inc.com with code HRN

Tayla Pierce-Hart discusses her journey to rehab with her horse Frankie, diagnosed with navicular and collateral ligament damage, with a vet suggestion of euthanasia. Tayla discusses the avenues they tried to get him sound, and what eventually allowed Frankie to go back in work full time.  Thank you to our sponsors: Use code HUMBLEHOOF for 20% off your first order at equithrive.com  Use code HRN for 20% off Trek boots at cavallo-inc.com

Structural integration involves working with the fascial connections in a horse to help address movement and soundness issues with the goal of solid improvement that doesn't need continued therapy. Saxon Alexandra, a structural integration therapist based out of New England, talks about what Structural Integration is and how it can benefit horses and people.    For more info, see: https://www.actualityequine.org/Saxon https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=208022701624285&set=a.204612515298637&type=3 https://www.facebook.com/SportsPhysiotherapyStefanDuell/posts/4806579956068859   Thank you to our sponsors: Use code HUMBLEHOOF for 20% off your first order at equithrive.com  Use code HRN for 20% off Trek boots at cavallo-inc.com

We can influence foal conformation and development long term by how we trim their feet - whether that's good or bad! I speak with Kirsten Proctor, hoofcare provider in upstate NY, about when we should first see foals for hoofcare, and how to set them up long term for success.  Thank you to our sponsors: Use code HUMBLEHOOF for 20% off your first order at equithrive.com  Use code HRN for 20% off Trek boots at cavallo-inc.com

Amy Dell-Anthony of Abbotts View Track Livery talks about what track systems are, how to practically start one, and the benefits we see in horses and their hooves when living on a track.  For more information, check out Amy's book "Horse Track Systems" on Amazon worldwide.  Thank you to our sponsors: Use code HUMBLEHOOF for 20% off your first order at equithrive.com  Use code HRN for 20% off Trek boots at cavallo-inc.com

Dr. Sharon Warner talks about her PhD research into the digital cushion in various species, how it functions, and what it is made up of. We also talk about equine biomechanics, and whether the digital cushion can regenerate. Note that at 18:53, Sharon meant to say "retracted" and not protracted.  Thank you to our sponsors!: Use code HUMBLEHOOF for 20% off your first order at equithrive.com  Use code HRN for 20% off Trek boots at cavallo-inc.com

Mollie Murphy and Humble Hoof host Alicia Harlov talk about the new Humble Hoof Rehab Facility - the inspiration behind it, how Alicia and her husband found the property, what it took to get there, and also what the rehab facility is all about. They chat about the rehab approach taken at the property, and what kind of cases may benefit the most from this kind of facility.  For more info: thehumblehoof.com Thank you to our sponsors!: Use code HUMBLEHOOF for 20% off at equithrive.com  Use code HRN for 20% off Trek boots at cavallo-inc.com

When you have a career with horses, it can be life-altering to get injured. At the least, it can mean unpaid time off work to recover, and at the worst, it can mean the end to your career. So how do you cope, physically and emotionally, after a tragic event?  Heather Wu, a hoofcare provider in KY, talks about her serious car accident that affected her ability to live and work for 6+ months. We talk about how she got through the recovery both mentally and physically, and what kept her going.  Thank you to Cavallo for being a sponsor! Use the code "HRN" at cavallo-inc.com to receive 20% off a pair of Trek hoof boots. 

Dr. Craig Lesser, vet podiatrist at Rood and Riddle in Lexington, KY, shares his insight into how to deal with keratomas and chronic hoof abscessing. We discuss maggot debridement, surgery, antibiotics, and more. 

Dr. Kate Horan talks about her study on racehorses, and how various approaches to hoofcare and two different surface options affected the breakover and movement of the horses. 

The seasonal rise of ACTH in the fall can throw many PPID horses into laminitis. How can we better manage this? How do we take care of our metabolic horses to prevent laminitis and founder? Dr. Jaini Clougher and Dr. Kathleen Gustafson, both who have worked with ECIR, discuss how to best manage metabolic horses so they can not just survive, but thrive.  For more information, visit:  ecirhorse.org

Cristina Brogdon, Jodie Jensen, and Alicia Harlov talk about some of their favorite hoofcare patholoy cases they have worked on and why. Stringhalt, laminitis, navicular, and more are discussed, along with what worked and what didn't! 

Dr. Sarah le Jeune and Christina Rohlf discuss footing considerations when it comes to both performance and injury. The discussion dives into recent research on footing factors that affect forces working on the equine limb. 

Dr. Sasha Hill and Stuart Muir discuss various approaches to lameness including diagnostics, as well as navigating the vet/farrier dynamic when working together. We also discuss case studies where diagnostics helped with soundness recovery.  For more info, see: thenaep.com

Denys Antonenko, Nicole Jory, and Lisa Mittler all discuss the surprises - both good and bad - that came along with a career change into hoofcare. We discuss various aspects of the job that are difficult, as well as rewarding. 

Celeste-Leilani Lazaris talks about how the body can affect movement, hoof balance, and soundness. She focuses on the thoracic sling and surrounding soft tissue and some approaches she takes to get horses with weak necks, backs, etc. to a level of comfort in order to grow better balanced hooves, allowing for healthier angles. Celeste talks about the results she sees using the Balanced Through Movement Method.  For more info, see:  www.wildmagicllc.com

Dr. Elaine Norton discusses her extensive research into the heritability of equine metabolic syndrome in various breeds of horses, and how that relates to the risk of endocrinopathic laminitis - which makes up 80-90% of laminitis cases. This discussion focuses on her study with Welsh ponies and Morgan horses, but also breaches into her new research involving Arabian Horses, and more.  For more information, email elainenorton@arizona.edu