Stars Aligned Equine

10/12/2026

Summer is coming to an end. I, for one, am thankful to be able to work in more comfortable temperatures, however I'm still sad that riding season is coming to an end. What are you looking forward to this fall?

10/08/2026

First trim on this mare. She was only at 8 weeks but coming out of shoes. My picture skills still need work, but I'm very happy with the visible difference in her alignment and her soft tissues. And the biggest win of all, she moved off much more willingly when we were finished! We are going to continue to work on her imbalances and hopefully she becomes more comfortable and easier to work with moving forward.

09/18/2026

❄️ Winter is coming ❄️

Has your horse had a history of winter laminitis?

When temperatures fall, the body naturally constricts blood vessels in the extremities to conserve heat. You know that feeling you get when your feet get way too cold from working outside in the winter? Your horse experiences something pretty similar to that feeling during winter laminitis. One of the contributing factors to that feeling is lack of blood flow in the hooves.

Now, I have put wool socks on a horse under their boots to help keep them warm, however, another tool that we can consider using is Jiaogulan aka J-herb. While not nearly as stylish as the boots with the wool 😅 it's definitely more practical with a lot less maintenance.

🌿 Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) contains compounds called gypenosides, which have been shown to promote nitric-oxide activity in blood vessels. Nitric oxide is a natural vasodilator—it helps blood vessels relax and widen.
Because of this, Jiaogulan is used to help support healthy circulation to the feet during cold weather.

🍁 Fall is an excellent time to start getting this herb into your horse's system as a preventative measure. Herbs usually take longer to work than prescriptions, but can be just as effective given the time to heal.

If your horse has a history of winter hoof pain, metabolic issues, or previous laminitis, J herb can be an excellent addition to their diet. You do still want to make sure they are on a regular trim schedule, moving as much as safely possible, and have an appropriate diet, as that is the basis of a good hoof management program.

Jiaogulan shouldn't be viewed as a magic shield against winter laminitis. It is one potential tool within their individualized management plan.

It's always better to act rather than react!

— Stars Aligned Equine 🌙

09/14/2026

Another weekend of classes in the books! I spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Breezy Acres in Oconto, WI learning more about my favorite subject: horses. I can't say that I only learned about hooves, because Ida's clinics are about so much more than that.

Not only did I learn more about the whole horse, I also learned what it's like to have support and encouragement in a career that can definitely feel lonely sometimes. That felt so foreign to me, as the horse world in general can feel overwhelming and judgemental in so many ways. If you ever feel like that, reach out to me, I'll gladly help you through it.

Intermediate Trim ✔️
Hoof Wear Patterns ✔️
Watching Horses Move ✔️

Enjoy my cadaver trim before and afters!

Thank you so much to all of my friends/clients that trust me with their animals and believe in me. This weekend really reminded me how much I appreciate each and every one of you. 💜

08/10/2026

I spent this past weekend down in Suamico, WI at Twin Artesian Stables for 3 days of learning with Ida Hammer. I completed 3 classes, Exploring the Equine Hoof, Navigating the Hoof in Front of You, and the Beginner Trim class. I learned so much, laughed so much, and met some really awesome people. I had taken these classes online, back in 2022, but I really needed the refresher and some clarity on a few things. It was well worth the time. I can't wait to continue learning and improving! I appreciate all of the support I've had along the way to be able to attend and for everyone who believes in me. 💜 I have a few things to practice with, and I have to let my brain cool off, it was working pretty hard all weekend. 🤣 However, I'll be attending another set of classes in September. Also, I'm pretty proud of my preserved hoof specimen, so if you see me and want to look at it, just ask, I'll gladly show you! 🤣

08/06/2026

I've been super busy, working in the trenches this summer. Sorry for the lack of updates. I have some exciting things happening over the next couple months, so keep an eye out for that stuff. Until then, heres a resection I did on a white line donkey case today. I run into white line disease on donkeys incredibly often, they are not particularly built for the moisture up here and it seems to really cause fungal problems with their feet. Not to say we shouldn't have donkeys up here, just to say they do require extra attention with their hoof maintenance.

07/15/2026

Stay safe out there! I will be taking precautions and/or rescheduling appointments while the air quality is this poor.

06/10/2026

05/21/2026

As I'm rereading this book in preparation for my clinic coming up at the end of summer, I have realized what an easy to understand and excellent resource it is for horse owners. This book is short and to the point, with a really laid back tone, so easy to digest. If you're a horse owner looking to learn a little more, this one is a great place to start. 📑

Plus, Ida Hammer is a legendary instructor and resource. The reason I choose to learn from her is because she encourages her students to explore other avenues to learn and find a way that makes the information click for them. That's a huge green flag for me personally.

I'm so excited to continue to learn more, and be able to offer your equines the best possible service I can!

05/20/2026

I spent last Saturday, nerding out about hooves, learning, and supporting a great trimmer in our community. You can never stop learning and going back to the basics is a resource that shouldn't be overlooked at any point in your journey to learn anything, especially when it comes to horses!