Reibel Hoof Care

21/10/2026

I’m not a believer in only posting the best examples of work, to be transparent I like to share the not so perfect work too.

In this case I’m sharing a pic of my first set of glue on’s on a pony with chronic laminitis. My lovely client here was supportive in allowing me to use her pony to practice technique while monitoring the benefit of adding vertical depth to his feet. It is one of those cases where regular trimming and diet adjustments just don’t seem to be making the gains I wanted.

100% I will look back at this in the future and see the areas of improvement needed, however for now I can’t thank my clients enough for allowing me to grow and I’m excited to start exploring glue on shoes and the benefits they may have in rehab cases

07/10/2026

Puncture wounds in the hoof . .

This morning I came across this injury and with the owners permission, able to share the picture. What we have here is a screw penetrating the Central Sulcus of the frog. Although the horse was not lame, these can turn nasty quickly.

If you find something like this in your horse, avoid the temptation to remove it, even if the horse isn’t lame or it doesn’t ‘look bad’.

Call your vet and describe what you’re seeing, even better, supply a photo if you can. Then follow their advice as to how to proceed.

There are so many important structures just above the frog so these injuries have to be treated as serious.

Fortunately for this horse the Vet was able to determine via radiographs that the screw missed all important structures, therefore she was given antibiotics to treat any possible infection, pain relief, and is now resting at home.

20/09/2026

Just returned home from a seriously great week learning from the masters at the International School of Integrative Hoofcare.

While my brain has been pushed a lot, I am excited to continue learning and working to provide the best care I can to my wonderful clients and their horses 🐴

Here a just a few snaps. Warning, there are some cadaver feet that were generously donated for the benefit of participants

02/09/2026

Really good information here about laminitis and spring time. The link to the free download is available in the comments section

EDIT: link in the comments. I didn’t realise this would be so popular and I’ve just given myself another full-time job trying to reply to everyone. Thank you for your interest!

Spring laminitis is already on my mind, so I’ve put together a simple client guide covering what laminitis is, why insulin/EMS/PPID matter, prevention, symptoms to watch for, what to do if you suspect it, emergency diet, hoof care and rehabilitation.

I made it because I keep having the same conversations with owners and wanted everything in one clear place.

If you’d like a free copy, the link is in the comments!

Feel free to share this post with anyone who owns an equine who may be at risk.

27/08/2026

Blessed to work in the Barossa Valley, such a beautiful area of the world!

07/08/2026

Love a nice welcoming committee!

02/08/2026

I want to share this article, because barefoot trimming can be a sensitive topic within the horse world. It's easy for opinions, misinformation and bias to creep in and that can stop honest, open conversations between hoof care professionals and their clients. From my previous career I learned that the loudest voices are not always the most helpful. Sometimes they end up doing a disservice to both horses and their owners.

At Reibel Hoof Care, my priority is simple; the comfort and wellbeing of each horse. I am to work collaboratively with clients, listen to their concerns, and make decisions based on the individual horse in front of me rather than on a one size fits all approach. So, this brings me to the point of the article and that is soreness after a trim. No, it is not a 'normal' part of the process that a horse should have to put up with.

After a trim, watch for:
🐴 Shortened or hesitant strides
🐴 Reluctance to walk forward
🐴 Difficulty turning
🐴 Repeated weight shifting
🐴 Increased digital pulses or persistent hoof heat
🐴 Greater discomfort as the hours pass
🐴 Unwillingness to stand on one foot while another is lifted

I need to hear if any of these things occur after a trim, as it is often the horse trying to tell me what it needs. I value the feedback of my clients, as they know their horses the best!

Have a great evening everyone!

🐴 🙌A barefoot horse should not have to earn the right to comfort by repeatedly enduring soreness 🙌🐴

When a horse becomes sore after trimming, the most constructive response is not to defend the method—or blame the horse.

It is to observe carefully, communicate openly and ask:

What is this horse telling us—and what needs to change?

Post-trim soreness is often described as “normal adjustment” or something the horse simply needs to work through. But noticeable discomfort should never be dismissed as an inevitable part of barefoot hoof care.

Watch for:
🐴 Shortened or hesitant strides
🐴 Reluctance to walk forward
🐴 Difficulty turning
🐴 Repeated weight shifting
🐴 Increased digital pulses or persistent hoof heat
🐴 Greater discomfort as the hours pass
🐴 Unwillingness to stand on one foot while another is lifted

Post-trim soreness may be associated with too much protective hoof being removed, excessive change in a single trim, thin soles, bruising, underlying pathology, early laminitis—or a trim that does not adequately consider the horse’s environment, workload and individual needs.

This is why assessment matters before and after every trim.

How was the horse moving beforehand?
Is the horse at least as comfortable afterwards?
Has stride length, turning, landing or willingness to move changed?
Does the plan need to be adjusted?

The goal is not to produce a hoof that looks perfect in a photograph.

The goal is to support the individual horse’s comfort, function and long-term welfare.

Our latest blog explores what may cause post-trim soreness, what owners should monitor during the following 24–72 hours, when to seek professional help, and how better preparation and communication may help prevent avoidable problems.

📖 Read the full article:
www.holisticequine.co.uk/blog

We’ll also explore preparation, assessment, common transition and rehabilitation challenges, welfare monitoring and communication during our next live event:

🎙️ Integrative Hoof Care Q&A #2: Transitioning Your Horse to Barefoot
📅 Monday 3 August
🕖 7:00–8:30 pm UK
💻 Online
🎟️ Book your place:
www.holisticequine.co.uk/events

If your horse is significantly uncomfortable, worsening or showing possible signs of laminitis, contact your veterinary surgeon promptly.

Better knowledge. Better decisions. Better outcomes for horses.



To learn more about how Holistic Equine can support your hoof-care and trimming education, visit www.holisticequine.co.uk

Sign up for our newsletter to hear about our NEW community support and education platform for horse and human wellbeing:
www.holisticequine.co.uk/subscribe

For 5% off hoof boots and horse care items at www.urbanhorse.com use coupon HOLISTIC5 at checkout 🐴🥰

01/08/2026

A fantastic look at those hoof cracks and what can lurk underneath

29/07/2026

Really good advice here as to why we should treat hoof punctures as an emergency and NOT remove the object unless a vet says so

🚨 Hoof Punctures Are a True Emergency — Don’t Pull It Unless Advised!

A nail or screw in the foot isn’t just a dramatic image, it’s a true medical emergency. Why? Because just millimetres beneath your horse’s sole lie vital structures like the navicular bursa, coffin joint, and digital flexor tendon sheath. When a sharp object penetrates the hoof, it’s not just painful. It can introduce bacteria into these sensitive, synovial structures and trigger life-threatening infection.

If your horse steps on a nail or similar object and it’s still embedded, do not pull it out straight away. As tempting as it is to remove it immediately, leaving the nail in place allows your vet to take x-rays with the object in situ. That radiograph is critical for determining the nail’s exact path and whether deeper structures are involved.

👉 If advised by your vet to remove the object (to avoid further pe*******on), mark the entry point and depth with a piece of tape or permanent marker before discarding it. Then, clean the area with antiseptic and wrap the foot to minimise contamination before your veterinary appointment.

📸 Imaging is everything when it comes to hoof punctures. According to a recent review in Equine Veterinary Education (Scharf & Peroni, 2025), diagnostic imaging including radiographs, MRI, or even CT is essential for evaluating the extent of damage and ensuring correct treatment. Superficial wounds may heal well with conservative care, but if synovial structures are involved, early and aggressive intervention is often the only way to prevent irreversible damage or even loss of the horse.

👉 Bottom line? Time, location, and proper diagnostics matter. Don’t wait to “see how it goes.” An innocent-looking puncture can have devastating consequences if it’s not investigated properly.

🩺 Contact us on 0427 072 095 or book an appointment online: https://avonridgeequine.com.au/book-an-appointment/

20/07/2026

A couple of recent trims on some lovely older boys. Both kept on a regular 4wk trimming cycle and have the most amazing owners and carers who give these boys the most wonderful life.

The first one is a pony with Cushings Disease, and the second one treated for some thrush and wall separation using The Hoof Co products.