Ellen Curnow - Equine Podiatrist

22/11/2025

08/11/2025

Heel bulb appreciation post….

Your horses heels bulbs give us a good indication of the hooves functional ability.

Which hooves do you think will be best equipped at providing comfort, absorbing concussion & protecting the internal structures?

What do your horses heels bulbs look like?

05/11/2025

Progression shots on the left hind of an elderly chronic laminitis case. I’m pleased with how much difference there is in his hind end stability. He used to be very doddery and had to pick his legs up exceptionally high because his very large, very weird shaped feed were effectively a trip hazard. Yes, there is still a bit of stiffness (he’s almost as old as I am!) but he will now choose to trot along on the end of the lead rope, which was just not something he would choose to do when he was so wonky/unstable/sore! I definitely wouldn’t have asked to see him trot when I met him. Note the angle of his cannon bone in the dorsal shots, and how much more square under the limb he is able to stand.

27/10/2025

A pretty smart pair of hinds from this morning with nice structure, near perfect proportions and good horn quality. Very little out of the ordinary except a bit of a rebalance and lateral quarter scoops. This horse lives out 24/7 so no chance of stabling on clean dry bedding, these feet are out in all weathers.

26/09/2025

The hardest, most selfless, and arguably the most important decision any of us will ever have to make for our horses 🕊️

What does it really mean to "let them go on a good day?"

It means it will be your hardest day. It won't matter if you've never done it before, or if you're gifted a dozen good days, each good day is always the hardest one.

It means they won't know what the fuss is about, why they're getting so many treats and extra belly scratches and hugs.

It means you will second guess your decision right up to the very last moment, the very last breath. You'll second guess yourself afterwards.

They'll knicker at you when you arrive, just like any other day.

The weather, perfect. They are content. They look sound today. They are breathing well, eating well, they get up easily enough from a nap in the sun....the list goes on. Whatever issue they struggle with, today they aren't.

Today you euthanize them.

This is what going on a good day means: sending them out while they are happy, while they are healthy, while they are eating well, walking well, etc. You make the choice to do it before an emergency takes the choice away from you, before your horse has to experience any more trauma or pain.

Their last memory will be filled with love.

It'll rip your heart out every time.

We can see the patterns and the increasing trends. We can predict it a little. We can obsess over the past and worry about the future.

Fortunately, horses, all animals, live in the moment. They don't worry about those things. They aren't worried about winter. They aren't worried about July, or allergies, or progressive diseases like cushings or dsld. They don't think about the close calls they've had before, and they certainly aren't thinking about the close calls that are destined to come, as their body continues to age and break down. They just are. They are happy and healthy, or fearful and in pain, on that day, in that moment.

It is the most difficult, most loving gift we are blessed to be able to give.

And that first ice storm will come, that first deep snow, that first heat wave....and you will find a little relief, no longer doubting the choice you made.

They were happy, and safe, and loved. That is all that matters.

It is never easy. ~Kelly Meister, author

21/09/2025

Autumn is autumning! Be careful out there folks! 😳🌱

01/09/2025

A luscious August with J 🧡

30/08/2025

5 months of building palmar soft tissue, building sole depth, turning false concavity into true concavity, and improving symmetry. The goal being long term comfort and soundness.

23/08/2025

Counting my lucky stars ✨🧡
📸

22/08/2025

Not the finished article but moving in the right direction. 🧡

02/08/2025

The best kind of client update 😍
Everybody meet the legendary PB (he has quite the fan club)! At the grand age of 23, last week he completed his last ever graded endurance ride of 24km in a very respectable 2hrs44! He hasn’t always been a straightforward horse, in his character and also his healthcare. His mum is incredibly dedicated - he always comes first and I think it shows! She now has one of the fittest, happiest, healthiest 23yos I think I’ve ever met! Whilst he’s now finished with graded rides, you’ll still be able to find him towing his mum round pleasure ride routes, usually with his dinky ears pricked the whole way. What a top good boy 😍

01/08/2025

Jolly in July 🧡🧡🧡

Disclaimer - this series of pictures makes it look like I jumped the legs off him, I really didn’t, it’s just that they’re the only occasions I have photos 🙃