Hoof Geeks Barefoot Hoofcare

11/12/2025

When conditions are not great, grass rarely dies but will wait until conditions improve. For instance, if it is too cold to grow, but it is sunny, the grass will still make sugar but cannot process it into growth. The sugar will build up, which is why in frosty conditions, the risk of laminitis can increase. Conversely, very dull, mild, damp weather is probably safer for those prone to laminitis, provided they don’t become overweight.

𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀 has the potential to grow all year, which is different from many other plants. Certain things are necessary for this growth, but if they are not met, the grass will be dormant, waiting for conditions to improve.

This November, we are seeing greener pastures in much of the UK, as we are experiencing conditions that are suitable for growth.

𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: Grass can grow at temperatures above 6 deg. C. It will grow quicker when it is above 15 deg. C. But temperate grasses, such as we have in the UK, are not keen on it being too hot so will not thrive above 25 deg. C. If it is very hot, above 30 deg. C., seeds will not germinate. In still conditions, cooler temperatures can result in ground frost, where there is frost on the grass, but the air temperature is a few degrees higher. This will inhibit growth, as will higher ground temperatures in summer, especially where there is little grass cover and the soil absorbs heat, taking its temperature well above that of the air above.

𝗠𝗼𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: Grass of course needs moisture to grow. Generally, this is from rain, but we should not underestimate the effect of heavy dew. This is more likely in still conditions. Snow melt will often result in muddy conditions because it is often still too cold for the grass to grow and take up the moisture. Sun and wind remove moisture, so very overcast, still conditions, such as we may see for instance under high pressure in the autumn, can result in a gradual increase in moisture, supporting plant growth if other factors are favourable. Grass species generally are shallow rooting, so are not able to access water deeper in the soil, unlike deeper rooting forage plants such as sainfoin, lucerne and the vetch family. A few grass types are deeper rooting than the others and so more drought tolerant. These include Cocksfoot and Timothy. Organic matter in the soil helps to retain moisture, so efforts to increase organic matter will be rewarded with improved grass, especially on light, sandy soils.

𝗦𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Healthy soil will produce healthy grass, to support our horses’ health. Grazing can result in gradually reduced pH in the soil, making it more acidic. A pH 6 – 6.5 is a good level to aim for. If the pH is below 5.5 then it is worth taking measures to correct it, by applying a liming agent or Simple System's Natural Paddock Recovery. This may also help improve surface drainage, especially on heavy clay soils, by breaking up the solid nature of such soils. Ditches and field drains need to be well maintained to prevent water logging. Healthy microbes will benefit the grass and the horses. They in turn will benefit from organic matter in the soil, so we must return in some way the organic matter removed by grazing. On sufficient acreage, resting and harrowing disperses droppings to return nutrients. On restricted acreage, poo-picking is usual, but will result in a gradual decline in soil quality unless the rotted muck is spread back on the paddock.

𝗜𝗳 𝘄𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄, 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆. If conditions are not favourable, the grass will become stressed, and this will result in it making sugars. It may also make a seed head to ensure the next generation, rather than making leaf. Seed heads are borne on tough stalks which are high in fibre but low in nutrition. When conditions are not great, grass rarely dies but will wait until conditions improve. For instance, if it is too cold to grow, but it is sunny, the grass will still make sugar but cannot process it into growth. The sugar will build up, which is why in frosty conditions, the risk of laminitis can increase. Conversely, very dull, mild, damp weather is probably safer for those prone to laminitis, provided they don’t become overweight.

11/02/2025

PROPRIOCEPTION SERIES — PART 2

THE HOOF AS A SENSORY ORGAN

MORE THAN A BLOCK OF HORN

We often talk about the hoof as if it were a rigid structure — a hard shell built to bear weight. In reality, it’s a complex living organ packed with sensory receptors, vascular networks, and soft tissues designed to feel the ground. Every step the horse takes sends information through these tissues to the nervous system.

The frog, digital cushion, and lateral cartilages form a sensory hub that translates mechanical pressure into neural data — a process called mechanotransduction. The resulting feedback allows the horse to constantly monitor where, and how, its feet meet the ground. This is the essence of proprioception: not just movement, but awareness of movement.

THE FROG AND DIGITAL CUSHION

The frog isn’t just a passive structure. Beneath it lies the digital cushion, a living matrix of fibrous and fatty tissue threaded with vessels and mechanoreceptors. Together, they act as both shock absorber and information processor.

When the hoof lands, the frog compresses the digital cushion, deforming it slightly. This triggers pressure-sensitive receptors that send electrical signals through branches of the palmar digital nerve. The brain interprets these signals to understand terrain, firmness, and load distribution in real time.

Repeated stimulation of this system maintains its sensitivity. Horses exposed to firm, varied terrain typically develop more robust frogs and digital cushions, both structurally and neurologically. When the foot is chronically protected from such feedback — through thick padding, soft footing, or long-term frog unloading — those tissues can lose both tone and sensory richness.

This is not about “barefoot versus shod.” It’s about whether the foot, in whatever state it’s kept, still has a meaningful conversation with the ground beneath it.

THE LATERAL CARTILAGES AND HOOF CAPSULE

On either side of the hoof, the lateral cartilages act as flexible sensory wings. They absorb vibration and contribute to the expansion and contraction of the capsule with every step. Their elasticity is part of how the foot communicates with the limb and nervous system.

Each deformation of the capsule activates embedded mechanoreceptors that detect subtle strain and motion, sending information upward about loading and alignment. When the cartilages harden — through ossification (sidebone) or chronic compression — they lose both their elasticity and their role in this sensory feedback network.

THE LAMINAR INTERFACE — STRUCTURE AND SENSATION

The laminar interface — the intricate bond between hoof wall and distal phalanx — is both a mechanical suspension system and a dense sensory field. Every micro-movement between hoof wall and bone is registered through nerve endings in the dermal laminae. This is how the horse perceives loading and balance through the front of the foot.

When laminitis occurs, that feedback system is thrown into chaos. The laminae are inflamed, overloaded, and sending continuous pain signals. Prolonged nociceptive input (pain signalling) can effectively drown out or corrupt proprioceptive data, leading the nervous system to associate the entire toe region with pain rather than position. If this continues, the neural pathways that normally communicate fine detail from that area can dull or miswire — a process seen in many chronic pain conditions.

This is where trimming and mechanical strategy can protect neurological health as much as structural integrity. Offloading the damaged toe — reducing leverage and tension on the inflamed laminae — does more than prevent further separation. It also reduces constant pain signalling and helps preserve the quality of sensory feedback coming from the foot.

In effect, a well-balanced trim that supports the back of the foot while relieving the toe can prevent long-term proprioceptive degradation. It allows mechanoreceptors in the frog, sole, and remaining healthy laminae to keep firing normally, maintaining the brain’s accurate “map” of the foot. This helps explain why early and thoughtful offloading often translates into quicker, more confident post-laminitic movement — it protects not just tissue, but sensory fidelity.

GROUND CONTACT AND SENSORY DEPRIVATION

Proprioception depends on input — and input requires contact. The more areas of the foot that feel the surface (frog, sole, bars, wall), the richer the feedback. Continuous disconnection from the ground — through deep bedding, soft uniform footing, or over-padding — reduces that input and dulls the sensory system.

The horse may still move, but it moves less precisely. Movements become cautious or slightly delayed. The “conversation” between hoof and brain grows quieter.

Protection has its place, especially in pathology or when managing extreme terrain, but the goal should always be to maintain meaningful sensory communication. Even in protective setups, flexible materials, intermittent barefoot periods, or designs that allow frog engagement can help keep those sensory circuits alive.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR PRACTICE

Seeing the hoof as a sensory organ changes the way we think about care. Each trim and management decision alters how the foot talks to the body. The aim is to keep that conversation open.

– Healthy frog contact sustains proprioceptive awareness. Chronic unloading dulls it.
– Elastic lateral cartilages are essential for both shock absorption and sensory signalling.
– Laminar support is not purely structural — it protects the quality of neurological feedback.
– Early, intelligent offloading in laminitis is as much about saving the horse’s sense of its own foot as it is about preventing further damage.

The horse doesn’t just stand on its feet; it listens through them.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

– The hoof is a living sensory organ, not an inert shell.
– Mechanoreceptors in the frog, digital cushion, cartilages, and laminae feed the nervous system with real-time data.
– Healthy ground contact and varied surfaces sustain proprioceptive accuracy.
– Pain and inflammation distort or suppress that feedback.
– Thoughtful offloading in laminitis preserves not only structure but also neurological function.
– Hoof care that supports both mechanical and sensory integrity underpins long-term soundness.

NEXT UP: PART 3 — PROPRIOCEPTION AND MOVEMENT QUALITY.
We’ll look at how this sensory information influences stride regulation, coordination, and gait stability — and what happens when that system begins to falter.

11/01/2025

When is “sinking” not really sinking? 🐴

In the upcoming Nov 1 Hoof Geeks video, Christine reviews the radiograph of a pony with severe laminitis to show what’s actually happening inside the hoof. The lesson: what looks like a coffin bone sinking is often bone erosion — and knowing the difference changes everything.

Understanding these details helps trimmers and horse owners make more ethical, informed choices when managing advanced cases.

Join the Hoof Geeks Membership today for instant access to this new video PLUS 18 others packed with real-life learning.

👉 $6.99/month or $76.90/year (save $6.99) www.hoofgeeks.ca

Healthy hooves start with informed eyes.

10/29/2025

10/29/2025

Grass-related ‘Neurological’ Issues in Horses

Neurological means ‘relating to disorders of the nervous system’.

When you add them all up these disorders are very common in our domestic horses:

Spooking, anxiety, over-reactiveness, hypersensitivity, excessive separation anxiety, digestive disturbances related to gut motility, travelling hollow, sacro-iliac issues, tail clamping/scooting off, muzzle sensitivity, head-flicking/shaking, staggers, grass tetany, eye-sight is affected, claustrophobia, itchy, tender on hard ground, ‘bad’ with needles, explosive, canter transition issues, locking stifles, stringhalt and many more.

When you feed ‘plain feeds’ or ‘straights’ (eg grains, protein meals including linseed/sunflower, copra, rice bran) it is necessary to balance the calcium:phosphorous ratio.

When feeding green grass it isn't just about sugar levels. You need to be aware of certain other nutrients that need balancing. Potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium - these elements run the nervous system and imbalances in these are a major cause of the neurological issues listed above.

Neurological issues are not caused by high sugars.

Our CHH nutritional recommendations take both the grass and the supplementary daily feed into account, with particular emphasis on the minerals that run the nervous system. After all for most horse owners, grass and /or hay make up the largest proportion of their horse’s daily food intake and their influence on health, movement and behaviour is significant.

As we have said many times previously ‘grass (unless it is mature and stalky)’ is the most unbalanced item you can feed a horse but it can work for many horses if you understand it and know what to feed to lessen potential adverse effects on the horse’s metabolism and nervous system.

Just one obvious example being to add salt to feeds rather than relying on salt licks.

For horses with serious issues it is actually easier not to use green growing grass as their primary forage. For these horses hay is naturally so much better balanced for the equine metabolism to process.

Horses that are ‘down’ on their nutrition tend to be affected more often and more seriously. Especially when it rains after a dry spell and the grass greens up!

Well mineralised horses are more resilient and tend to be less affected.

If you are not sure if your grass is affecting your horse or for more specific help with what your horse needs and quantities, please fill out our Enquiry Form so we have all the info needed. Here is the link:
https://forms.wix.com/70c7cae9-bec0-444a-b26e-7da5ba4e6762:9c61e4d3-2e6b-4825-9b94-bf9c0e57e82c

10/23/2025

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/showing/calls-for-fresh-look-at-rules-on-horses-being-shod-in-certain-showing-classes-908114?fbclid=IwZnRzaANnkspleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjfpG_5MZyQz-SFjcdCuk3KvuJXfywxUmdCexFA37f96whCXJceTN-0cf-qW_aem_0_t4z_e5B2zv8X8Zcv5vFA

The requirement for thoroughbreds to wear shoes in some showing classes has come under the microscope as riders ask – why?

09/28/2025

🔥 Hoof Geeks Fall Sale 🔥
Limited stock on hoof boots, tools, and accessories — once they’re gone, they’re gone!

Save big on Easyboots, Cavallo ELBs, Velocity Nail Pullers, and more.

Perfect time to stock up before winter.
Shop the sale here ➡️ https://www.hoofgeeks.ca/shop/sale

09/27/2025

Here's what's coming for our members on Oct 1st!

Ever wonder what’s really happening inside the hoof? 🐴
In this month’s Hoof Geeks Membership video, Christine takes you inside a hoof capsule with a cadaver dissection. See the coffin bone, digital cushion, lateral cartilages, navicular region, and more — and learn how these structures work together to support your horse.

Understanding the inside of the hoof helps you make better trimming decisions on the outside.

👉 Join the Hoof Geeks Membership today for instant access to this video PLUS 17 other training videos!

$6.99/month or $76.90/year (save $6.99). Sign up today (make sure to accept our emails during the process so you get the monthly email announcement when videos are added).

Healthy hooves start with knowledge. Are you ready to dive deeper?

https://www.hoofgeeks.ca/member-site-homepage