High Time Equine

12/18/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BhRFNn8ML/

This Isn’t Traditional Farriery.

This Is Hoof Science.

Steel became standard because it was convenient—
not because it was correct.

For decades, rigid shoes were applied by habit, not biology.
And horses paid the price.

At Brad’s Natural Hoof Care, I answer to one standard only: how the hoof is built to function—not how it’s been forced to cope.

The equine hoof is a living, load-bearing system. It is meant to flex, expand, absorb concussion, and circulate blood with every step. When that function is restricted, soundness breaks down. When it’s preserved, the entire horse improves.

Correct barefoot hoof care restores what steel suppresses:
• Full circulation and healthier internal structures
• Natural shock absorption that protects joints and soft tissue
• Stronger walls, soles, and frogs built to last
• Superior balance, traction, and body awareness

Steel shoes lock a dynamic structure into rigidity. They limit expansion, mute circulation, and drive concussion up the limb. They solved problems in another era—before better tools existed.

That is why barefoot is always the foundation—when the horse, environment, and workload allow it.

But this is not ideology.
It is precision.

When protection or mechanical support is genuinely required, I use advanced composite glue-on shoes—not nails, not steel. These materials are lightweight, flexible, and engineered to work with the hoof capsule, preserving natural mechanics while delivering intentional support.

Applied correctly, they:
• Maintain natural expansion and biomechanics
• Reduce concussion compared to rigid steel
• Eliminate nail holes and cumulative hoof wall damage
• Support rehabilitation without compromising movement

The results speak clearly:
horses that move better, recover faster, and stay sound longer.

I don’t follow tradition.
I don’t offer shortcuts.

I build soundness from the ground up.

If you want someone to just keep shoes on, look elsewhere.
If you demand longevity, performance, and respect for the horse—Welcome you found the right place

03/13/2025

03/10/2025

02/13/2025

01/08/2024

The bottom of the wall needs to be the same shape as the growth origin at the corium. This happens in nature from miles of daily wear. Domestic horses need someone to simulate this for them. When the bottom of the wall gets flat and the outer wall makes contact with the ground, it puts pressure on the soft sensitive growth corium and the wall develops pressure rings. When the mustang roll is properly applied around the entire edge of the sole, the pressure comes off and the pressure rings grow out. If the roll is properly maintained, for at least 7 months, the rings grow all the way out, except in cases of extreme damage, then it takes longer. In my experience, diet and environment can speed up or slow down this process, but not cause it. Once I’ve established a fully live foot, on a bad diet and a wet environment the horse might be sore but the ripples don’t come back as long as I keep the outer wall from being weight bearing. I’ve also grown the rings off of horses diagnosed with metabolic issues. So I don’t believe they’re caused by diet, environment or metabolism. It takes about 2 years of frequent proper trimming to achieve a fully live hoof capsule. It’s also been my experience that this isn’t a common hoof care practice.

12/11/2023

10/21/2022

🌰ACORNS 🌰 (the annual post)
As the leaves are changing and Fall settles in, be aware of these little devils that can wreak havoc on your horse’s hooves!

Many of our horses, especially those with PPID/Cushings and EMS, are highly sensitive to simple sugars and starch. Acorns average over 40% starch! Consumption leading to an exaggerated insulin response can result in Laminitis.

They are very yummy to horses so if accessible, they’ll often be found rooting through the leaves and chowing down on the sweet little treats. We must be aware of the serious consequences this can bring!

Removing the acorns manually, removing the trees entirely, or fencing off the area during the Fall are the best ways to prevent access. If all else fails, a grazing muzzle also works to prevent and reduce access.
All the above options are better than the alternative, trust me.

This information and further reading is from Dr.Kellon’s article here: https://drkhorsesense.wordpress.com/2021/10/27/acorn-toxicity-in-horses/

05/18/2022

https://forageplustalk.co.uk/iron-overload-in-horses-by-dr-kellon/