Ohio Barefoot Hoof Trimming

10/11/2026

Today was an interesting day of hoof trimming. I trimmed 10 horses and all of them were in bad need of a trim. This is the last one I trimmed. It was a little challenging trying to get the horse as comfortable as possible. It had an injury a few years ago. It appears the p3 and p2 joint has fused together. The horse moved a lot better after I finished.

10/10/2026

10/05/2026

10/05/2026

Are you confident knowing what you’re looking at with hoof radiographs?

Join us in November in Tennessee for the Advanced Anatomy & Radiographs clinic, a hands-on opportunity to take your understanding beyond the textbook and develop a stronger connection between anatomy, radiographic images, and the feet you work on every day.

Learn more & register: https://progressivehoofcare.org/2024/10/advanced-anatomy-radiographs-tennessee/

09/30/2026

Exercise vastly improves insulin sensitivity, but the acutely laminitic horse cannot tolerate exercise. However, with recovery, exercise is to be encouraged as long as the horse tolerates it. Before beginning exercise, the equine must be non-laminitic, off NSAIDs, and comfortable. Do not force a laminitic individual to move, or allow its other companions to do so. Once the equine is moving around comfortably at liberty, hand-walking can begin in long straight lines with no tight turns. When finished walking, he/she should be as or more comfortable than when the walk began.

Before serious exercise can begin, a previously laminitic individual needs 6-9 months of correct realigning trims without relapse. The hoof wall needs to have grown tightly to nearly the ground. As the horse's condition improves, the level of exercise should increase. The importance of exercise in the EMS-prone equine cannot be understated. EMS/IR can be avoided completely with adequate exercise and diet management. Additional important details here: http://bit.ly/34xa60X

09/28/2026

One of my favorite things to do is sit and watch how horses interact with each other. This is where I have learned to interact with them. It's all about body language.

09/27/2026

09/26/2026

I installed a cellular solar power camera last year. I love being able to see our horses whenever I want. The monthly fee is $7.99 reolink is the brand I used.

09/25/2026

There’s a whole side of hoof care that has very little to do with the hoof or even horse itself. Hoofcare appointments can sometimes feel like mini therapy sessions - we talk about horses, life, worries, wins, frustrations, and everything in between. For hoofcare professionals, learning how to care about our clients while also setting healthy boundaries and protecting our own mental health can be an unexpected part of the job.

In this week's podcast episode, I chat with Taylor Schouten of Wild Hoof Equine, a full-time hoof care provider who originally trained in psychology, about being “Part Hoof Care Provider, Part Therapist” and the mental load that can come along with this career. We talk about the human side of hoofcare, why these relationships can become so meaningful, and how professionals can create boundaries without losing the connection and empathy that make this work so special. You can listen to the entire conversation on any podcast app by searching “The Humble Hoof,” or listen directly at this link: https://thehumblehoof.com/2026/09/25/the-mental-load-of-hoofcare/