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Blondie is a Haflinger who joined us 13 years ago, aged just 3. Blondie has been lots of fun to ride over the years and we had lots of fun together showjumping.
We won the 2013 Eastern British Showjumping Club League together and I always used to joke that I either fell off or came home with a rosette. Blondie is a lovely horse to be around and is always such a good girl.
At Death's Door
Unfortunately, Blondie suffers from EMS and although I tried to restrict her grazing she managed to remove her muzzle last year which resulted in her first bout of laminitis which was very damaging.
She was crippled, depressed and wouldn't eat. We really thought we were going to lose her. The very next day we ordered hardcore and sand and built our first track. It is the best thing we have ever done! You can see the transformation of Blondie's hoof in the pictures below.
Blondie's Track Experience
That day was the last time she has been on grass and after a very long rehab she is now sound and doing well. Since removing the grass from her diet there has been a significant reduction in her weight, the swelling around her eyes and crest and the fat pads on her shoulders have all gone. The remainder of the damaged hoof is finally growing out but most importantly she is sound and healthy. She loves living on the track as she likes to sneak off and eat on her own without the other more dominant horses bothering her.
Clair's Comment: She often follows me around while I am doing my jobs!
Hooves on Track: A new Regional Clinic
Providing leading edge know-how, consultancy
& care, to transform your horse’s hooves and health
Aiding Recovery from Laminitis, Thrush & Other ‘Hard to Treat’ Ailments that can otherwise be life threatening.
One of the most asked questions : Why Can’t My Horse
Cope Barefoot?
There can be many possible reasons. Most of them curable with a little hard-won know-how and a dose of TLC. We want to show you how!
We want to show you how: Please click here to see the Perks!
LAMINITIS: Back from the Brink!
Laminitis is often extremely painful and can be so hard to
treat that it becomes terminal for too many horses.
There’s so much to share that can help your horse have a happier healthier life, that we want to create a new centre to serve the east of England where you and your horse can get the help you need.
Blondie: Back from the Brink!
We are all too familiar with this scenario - as you can read on
Blondie’s section - She’s now as fit as the proverbial fiddle.
Bringing ‘Barefoot’ expertise to the east of England
Many owners are ‘killing with kindness’ by allowing
horses to become sedentary, grazing on their sugar laden fields. Our
centre will provide a natural and holistic approach designed to
introduce sustainable health benefits, reducing vet bills and
providing horses with a new lease on life.
We need your support
to launch this groundbreaking centre of knowledge and care which will provide:
- Consultations - Starting now - choose your consultation here!
- Rehab: Provide rehabilitation for difficult, ingrained physical and behavioural issues
- Consultancy: Transform your own stabling into a Paradise Paddock with a healthy design to get your barefoot horse on track, on its own track - Promoting movement so allowing the weight to drop off
- Livery: Access to out own track to transform your horse’s and hoof health
-
Expert advice on track environments and natural
horse care
A Cinderella Story?
We know that it’s a common problem for people to be concerned about their horses losing their shoes but in this fairy tale, the prince can keep the shoe! We have enabled dramatic transformations in hoof health - think ‘fairy godmother’ although the process takes a little more time. Harry, our ex racer, was rehabilitated from a severe abscess breaking part of his hoof to the sound foot demonstrated below.
Just like our princess though, we need to look at more than just the shoes! Horse health is impacted by their diet, their interaction in a herd and their physical environment. Our track has been crafted with years of experience, knowledge and research into the best natural approaches for improving the lives and health of horses. The need for this approach, and proof that it worked, all started with Tyson...
A Track for Tyson
Our first horse Tyson was a young, strong, and lively character and very challenging to keep on a traditional livery yard as he hated being stabled and due to bad behaviour, we were eventually thrown off.
Despite all the gadgets, tools and traditional ‘tricks of the
trade’, nothing actually solved the issue and many seemed to increase
the adrenaline to the point where Tyson just became stronger and more
resistant. Within just 6 months, Tyson had lived on 5 different livery yards.
Having a Ball
At our wit’s end, especially as Tyson was a dream to ride otherwise, our ‘eureka’ moment was when we bought our lovely Haflinger, Blondie and introduced them on our own land. Only then did we truly understand the importance of horses being able to roam, and following their natural social instincts. It was a game changer for Tyson’s behavioural issues! Over the next few years, we grew to a herd of five including Thimble the Shetland, Harry the ex-racehorse, and Roxy the warmblood and tried to provide them with a ‘wild’ environment. It was wonderful watching them galloping and playing, grazing and grooming together.
As Tyson and Blondie had come to us unshod and we managed to compete and hack without any issues, any new horses that joined us had their shoes removed. Although they were always sound, we soon learned to handle the sensitivities that arise in the beginning. Feet that never touch the ground need toughening up!
We also analysed their diet and it was clear that the less
processed food we gave them, the more their foot and overall health
improved. The need to create a business became more evident, to share
this knowledge with a wider community and care for more horses in this
way. With 3-6 months in our ‘Paradise Paddock’ horses can be
rehabilitated, and owners can engage with us to develop the best
environment for their return home.
A Marriage Made in Heaven
Horses standing around eating grass all day are essentially grazing on candy, and won’t move! Our track strategically places food and water, forcing movement and encouraging playing, galloping and grazing which improves overall horse health, hooves and happiness. We have overcome cases of horses being near-crippled, laminitis, weight issues, horses being dismissed as ‘lame’ without shoes and much more. With your support, we can launch this new business, bringing the barefoot movement to new areas of the country and instilling a new way for horses to live happier and healthier lives!
Will you help us keep transforming the lives of horses?
Perks
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