Western Rose Equine

07/22/2026

🚨 Yesterday afternoon was a different one; an unexpected one. But a blessed one nonetheless! 🙏

After colliding with a concrete barrier, flipping across all lanes of traffic, and landing upside down teetering on a ditch, I am ALIVE and doing okay.

🌹 Western Rose Equine would like to apologize for what I can imagine will be a teensy delay in services for hopefully, not too long!

The biggest mission (all my tools and equipment were recovered), is to replace my vehicle.
I used my truck for EVERYTHING. Work, everyday life, the barn/farm, getting my child to his school and doctor appointments, etc.

We ask that everybody please be patient with us as we navigate this complicated, albeit frightening, experience as I work to find a new truck.
Technicalities and such will delay the process, I would imagine, but WRE WILL FIND A WAY to get back on the road and to you and your horses! If it’s the last thing I do.
Let’s be honest, we all have gobs of bills but I have worked the better part of 17 years to build this business, all thanks to YOU GUYS! So I will get back on my feet and return the favor as quickly as I can.

For now, if you know of any vehicles, send them my way - I would love to take a look!

SEATBELTS SAVE LIVES for the record. Wear yours and BELIEVE ME when I tell you, it’s the best decision you will ever make.
Yesterday was a normal day for me - woke up, drank coffee, said bye to my child (thank THE LORD he didn’t go to work with me that day), did my job, and never made it home.
I was TWO MILES from my house.

I’m back home now after the hospital and just picking up the pieces. Sending up my prayers, giving out my hugs, and sharing all my love.

Stay safe my friends, everyday is a true gift ❤️

04/12/2026

02/03/2026

📢 As WRE continues to grow, as does our mission to help as many horses as possible! We’ll consider this a pre-intro post as it highlights the work of WRE’s newest partner.
Committed to comfort and functionality for all horses in our care, WRE is branching out as the company now offers two available HCPs.

Admire these beautiful feet as we celebrate a new year of growth, passion, and continuing the journey of knowledge and application!

01/08/2026

🙌 It has been a MINUTE since I have posted anything, but the new year is really off to a stupendous start so enjoy some January feet with me ❤️

06/14/2025

Let’s talk about CRACKS! ⚡️

This horse trimmed up pretty nicely despite those scary cracks, and most do! Many cracks of the hoof are not a great cause for concern. What they can indicate, however, could be an issue that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

A lot of cracks owners will send us or talk to us about that they’re concerned with start as seedy toe; this crack is usually central on the toe of the hoof, and may be only a few centimeters or inch in length. When being proactive, this can be reversed fairly easily with proper cleaning and packing the crack so bacteria and fungi cannot renter. 🦠

Sometimes this anaerobic bacteria progresses to the point where the white line is stretched and we get a larger infection where the capsule is being eaten away at. Resection may be considered at this point, but, with resection, the cleanliness becomes paramount as you’ve exposed more sensitive tissue to the environment.

Cracks can also be the result of overgrowth. In this case, it’s actually better that the hooves crack (and sometimes flare) as the alternative would be walking on stilts or flippers, creating tons of leverage on the hoof. Keeping trim frequency at 4-5 weeks is ideal for simulating wear and keeping up with pathologies. 🗓

Another culprit for cracks in the hooves can be traced to their diet as well. Improper nutrition creates a compromised hoof, and hoof wall, leaving it prone to infection and damage. Proper nutrition is key to creating the basis for healthy hooves!

While we can trim hooves and make them look much better than where we started, we put a huge emphasis on owner-centric, preventative care. Even something as simple as picking the feet out daily can make a huge difference in hoof health! 🧼

06/11/2025

We do so love adding a little artistic flair to our hoof photos! 💪

——————

You know what else we love? THE GRINDER! The grinder, as some of you may know, is an invaluable tool that has many benefits when it comes to barefoot trimming.

If we ever leave the wet season (here’s hoping we do ☔️) summer will bring hard, compacted hooves, which is where the grinder can really shine!

Most horses take well to the grinder, despite the noise, as it has a smoother way of removing material, lacking a lot of the pulling and tugging sensation the rasp can have.

HOWEVER, if we do have a nervous horse, we introduce the tool, like anything else new and scary to a horse, in increments. We may even employ some R+ if we’re having an especially unsure animal. 🐴

——————

06/09/2025

June 2022 - May 2025 👏

You might remember this incredibly warped and neglected foot; we posted a previous update in September of 2023.

This senior horse’s progress has never been linear, between his broken body and twisted feet, but he is comfortable and has great quality of life, which was our biggest goal! 🎉

You will see a lot things about this foot, even currently, that still “need work”, but what’s important about a foot like this is not FORCING it into a shape that we think is CORRECT. Part of rehabilitative, barefoot hoofcare is trimming the hoof in front of us, not chasing an idea of what we think the hoof should look like.

This isn’t what we would say is an IDEAL hoof by any means, but it is functional for the animal and is much better than it was when appropriate hoofcare began. 🤗

06/07/2025

Probably trim 4 or 5 on this once-feral pony gelding! This little guy has great feet in general, and that’s not something we would say lightly, but not even the most genetically “good” hooves should go without being trimmed! 🐴

This pony was completely feral before his owners used positive reinforcement to help him understand what’s expected of him, including hoofcare. We typically still trim him while rewarding, just to keep the experience positive.

Positive reinforcement (also known as R+) isn’t only good for “wild” projects, but it can also help a horse who has trauma, pain, or maybe is older and never learned to have their feet handled. 🙌

R+ is not as simple as shoveling treats into a horse’s mouth to placate them; it’s about timing and association, which is how it’s success is determined.

Although it’s not quite the same as far as behavior modification goes, we find that even providing forage during the trim helps a lot of our clients relax and focus their mind elsewhere while they get their pedicure! 💅✨

04/07/2025

✨ Meet Beef! ✨
………………………………….

This sweet Thoroughbred mare has broken barriers and made incredible strides in the endurance world in the last year; her owner Cat Rafanello has worked tremendously hard and remained diligent in her care, which has made all this possible.
………………………………….

We knew we wanted this mare barefoot and we knew a barefoot (and sound), Thoroughbred was a tall order according to the industry. But, we just kind of knew we could do it and so, we did.
AND LOOK AT THE RESULTS. Barefoot, and large, Thoroughbred landing heel-first and placing TOP TEN for the third consecutive race. 🤯 It’s mind-blowing.

🚨 When doing a true barefoot transition, I always inform clients that the journey will take at least a year, but looking back on some of my past cases, it really takes closer to two; if you want long-term consistent results, you have to put in the TIME. Especially horses that have been chronically shod, rehabilitating established pathologies can be nothing short of an uphill battle, and sometimes, you won’t always be able to perfectly fix it - but we CAN MANAGE IT! 🚨
………………………………….

It is MOST IMPORTANT that owners are aware and committed to the following, to ensure the best possible results in the long-term:
- diet/proper ***domesticated*** equine nutrition
- hoof hygiene/daily cleaning
- species appropriate husbandry/enrichment
- correct and thoughtful exercise/movement
- regular bodywork (as needed)

BODYWORK can include kinesiology, acupuncture, osteopathy/cranial sacral, massage, chiropractic, etc.
Or any combination thereof!
…………………………………

🎉 CONGRATULATIONS CAT, on putting in the effort and seeing the results - they are stupendous and well-deserved!