performance hoofcare

09/10/2026

Long days, legend team, and wild energy from the client horses 😜🐴


Tom Faulkner Liam James Olivia Newsom

07/10/2026

Nice day shoeing the station hacks a Moeangiangi Station for the boys today.
Spring time hustle and bustle

04/10/2026

👀... have a read of p118 😉 we're proud of you Liv and we're looking forward to having you here, settled in with us, full time in the new year.

Show Circuit Magazine delivers a dynamic digital publication for riders and horse owners who live and breathe the equestrian lifestyle. Covering all disciplines, it offers expert training insights, practical advice, and inspiring stories to support every step of your journey.

30/09/2026

We just want to acknowledge how well this client listened to the advice when her gut told her, her horse had laminitis. She iced it in a slury half way up the cannon bone for 24hrs, restricted feed and area and put it in deep footing until we could get there 👏 massive effort.
We applied the The Shoeing Lab Home of More Aid Hoof Care squish pads, combined with dental impression material, and used Mustad hoof glue to start the healing process for this mare. It will be a process, with a number of follow ups, but the outcome for this mare could have been quite different if not for hard work by her owner 👍

29/09/2026

Thanks for the cool pic today Elisha Wade 📸

28/09/2026

🚨 LAMINITIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY🚨

Here is our recommended first aid protocol. What you do in the first 2–4 hours dramatically dictates their long-term soundness.

​If your horse is suddenly shifting weight, rocking back onto their heels, reluctant to move, or showing pounding digital pulses with hot hooves. Do not wait. Laminitis is an active cascade of lamellar failure.

​Here is what to do!

​1. Stop Movement & Confine Immediately
​Do NOT force a laminitic horse to walk. Every step can shear compromised laminae and increase mechanical tearing of the coffin bone from the hoof wall. Confine them in a small, deeply bedded stall (shavings or sand work best) right where they are. Pull all hard feeds, grains, and lush grass immediately. Provide clean water and low-sugar, soaked grass hay.

​2. Continuous Cryotherapy (Ice Therapy)
​Cryotherapy is the single scientifically proven non-pharmaceutical intervention to halt acute lamellar destruction. If started early.
​The Rule.. Hooves and lower limbs (up to the mid-cannon/knee) must be submerged in a 50/50 ice-water slurry. Maintain continuously for 24 to 48 hours during the acute stage.
​**Note: Simple ice packs or cold hosing won't drop the internal hoof temperature enough. Use heavy-duty cryotherapy boots, large dry bags, or rubber feed buckets taped securely.

​3. Call Your Vet and Farrier IMMEDIATELY
​This is a team effort from minute one. Call the Vet: For systemic pain relief, anti-inflammatories, sedation if needed, and to arrange diagnostic lateral radiographs. Call the Farrier. Immediate mechanical support cannot wait until "routine shoeing day."
​Why immediate farrier intervention is non-negotiable. While the vet manages systemic inflammation and pain, the farrier manages the mechanical forces actively tearing the foot apart. Once the laminae weaken, the deep digital flexor tendon continues to exert constant rotational pull on the pedal bone. Without immediate mechanical intervention, gravity and tendon tension will cause rotation or sinking. Applying emergency digital support and unloading the deep flexor tendon by using (clogs, graduated heel support, or our recommendation The Shoeing Lab Home of More Aid Hoof Care squish pads) transfers weight off the compromised dorsal wall onto the frog and bars. ​Removing dynamic breakover resistance minimizes the tensile pull of the deep digital flexor tendon during stance and the rare steps they must take. Working off X-rays: In tandem with your vet’s radiographs, immediate farriery halts catastrophic displacement before permanent damage sets in.

​Remember: Laminitis is never a "wait and see until tomorrow" condition. Act fast, ice continuously, bed deep, and get your vet and farrier on-site together ASAP!

27/09/2026

The team had an awesome day of CPD at the Brad Greenham Fwcf clinic in Cambridge on Friday.

A lot of information to take in, some cool little tricks with modern materials to add to the toolbox and of course some jedi master demonstrations on alloy brazing in the forge.

Thanks to the NZFA NZ Farriers Association for organizing such a great clinic with a world class clinician.

And most of all thanks to Brad for coming down to our little corner of the world to share your knowledge and passion 👌

24/09/2026

Team work makes the dream work! 💪 we are all our greatest critics so it is nice to be in a team environment. Working together on jobs ensures we work on producing a top quality finish for the clients ✅️

Some pretty well trained models there too 😉

22/09/2026

Mildly hi low dressage horse, Splash getting set up in his spring/summer kicks
Equilibrium air
Mustad hoof cushion
3D HoofCare half mesh pads

Equine Specialists NZ

Ready to dance his way through the season

21/09/2026

Hey team
Liv is back with us next week and has a couple of spots available
Shoot us a message if you would like her to fit you in!

📱 0272980447