The Horse's Hoof

12/25/2025

Perfect! 😆

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas! ❤

12/24/2025

Amen to this!!!! 😁

Winter Hoof Growth

Here in Massachusetts, winter came earlier than usual this year. Inevitably with it come the questions about winter hoofcare cycles -
“how long do you think they can go between trims now that their growth has slowed?”

“They don’t really need another trim in 5 weeks do they?”

Now I’ll try to make this short and sweet. As a hoofcare provider, I am fighting for my life to get horses’ hooves in a better spot all spring, summer, and fall- often fighting against metabolic concerns, grass intake, excessive growth, distortion even on a regular schedule, etc.

But for all the horsekeeping issues we deal with in winter, at least for many horses winter gives us a little reprieve in their excessive growth and potential distortion. This is the time we can get ahead of hoof issues- when we can address the flare before it starts, when we can work on correcting angles without doing too much all at once, when we can get heels to come back under the limb and get breakover in a good spot, and we can get the entire horse moving and feeling better.

Although it’s tempting to want to stretch out a horse‘s hoofcare cycle in winter, and while for some that may be an okay option, I am most excited when l can stick to the same cycle year round and make even better progress all winter and set the feet up to be healthier when the spring growth hits.

Our job as hoofcare providers isn’t just removing excess. It’s addressing hoof balance, supporting the feet for proper movement and comfort, and addressing issues before they become pathological or chronic.

If your hoofcare provider is asking to stay on the same cycle this winter, trust that they’re trying to make sure the feet don’t get into a spot you have to rehab from next summer.

12/24/2025

Yep, uh-huh! 🤣

12/24/2025

Have a happy and peaceful Merry Christmas!! 🎄

12/24/2025

Timely says Merry Christmas! She'll do anything for a carrot! 😂❤

12/23/2025

The Horse's Hoof Barefoot News December 2025
Sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/thehorseshoof/50-giveaway
🎁 Happy Holiday Hooves!
🎁 Pete Ramey's Advice on Hoof Wall Cracks
🎁 Poor Quality P3 versus Good Quality P3
🎁 1890's Veterinarian on the Wrongs of Metal Shoeing of Horses
🎁 Hoofcare Drama: What We Don’t Owe Others
🎁 And more!

12/19/2025

New December issue!

The Horse's Hoof Barefoot News December 2025 is released!
Sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/thehorseshoof/50-giveaway
What's in this issue? 🎁 Happy Holiday Hooves! 🎁 Pete Ramey's Advice on Hoof Wall Cracks 🎁 Poor Quality P3 versus Good Quality P3 🎁 1890's Veterinarian on the Wrongs of Metal Shoeing of Horses 🎁 Hoofcare Drama: What We Don’t Owe Others 🎁 And more!

12/18/2025

The Horse's Hoof Barefoot News December 2025 is released!
Sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/thehorseshoof/50-giveaway
What's in this issue? 🎁 Happy Holiday Hooves! 🎁 Pete Ramey's Advice on Hoof Wall Cracks 🎁 Poor Quality P3 versus Good Quality P3 🎁 1890's Veterinarian on the Wrongs of Metal Shoeing of Horses 🎁 Hoofcare Drama: What We Don’t Owe Others 🎁 And more!

12/18/2025

It is sad but truth. Anger and inflammatory posts and comments are what get attention. And what kind of world does that create?

Mourning the algorithm today...

I've been seeing some of my memories popping up of my posts from past years. The landscape of hoofcare on social media has certainly changed since 2017. I had incredible dialogue on many posts about what a healthy hoof looked like, what hoof care goals people should have, and mostly kind interactions other than a few crusty old farriers who were retired and had nothing better to do than sign on to talk s**t 😆

But now....

Outrage, conflict, rage baiting, and unkindness is the only thing that gets engagement.

These days, I will post hoof photos and then wake up the next morning to several comments from people who think that criticizing strangers on the internet is any kind of way to make progress in the horse world.

Delete. Block. Delete. Block. Deep breaths.

No more thoughtful discourse. No more respectful of a different opinion. No more nervous system regulation.

I am SO grateful that my actual work happens in real life, with my wonderful clients and their horses. That I can set my phone down and listen to a horse snuffle in my ear, breathe in cold winter air, and get in some cardio at every appointment.

Unfortunately for the trolls, most of us have a successful hoof care business that goes on despite their keyboard bullying.

I understand the irony of complaining on the very platform that has become the problem. If I could give anyone one piece of advice:

Arguing with strangers on the internet ONLY harms YOU.
Go pet your dog, ride your horse, clean the house, read a book.
You'll never win the argument.
Yes, someone is wrong on the internet and you'll just have to let that go.

12/18/2025

This is a wonderful book!

What is 'Hoof Prints on the Journey"?🐴The PERFECT Christmas Gift!

Have you ever felt that your horse is trying to tell you something… beyond words?

That quiet nudge to listen deeper, to understand not just their body, but their heart as well?

Carole Herder's Hoof Prints on the Journey is more than a book - it’s an invitation.

An invitation to slow down, tune in, and strengthen the bond you share with your horse on both a physical and emotional level.

This Christmas, gift yourself (or a fellow horse lover) something truly meaningful:

💗 deeper connection
💗 greater understanding
💗 a more harmonious equin partnership

Find Carole's books here: https://cavallo-inc.com/book-for-xmas

Carole's heartfelt books speak to those who know that horses are teachers, mirrors, and soul companions—not just animals we care for.

🎄 A perfect gift for the horse person who feels there’s always more to learn and feel!

12/18/2025

Great info here.

For help with protocols for cold-induced hoof pain (also known as winter laminitis), join our free outreach group on groups.io: https://ecir.groups.io/g/main and our volunteers can help guide you. We are a nonprofit organization and our services are free.