Community Conversations
About Beccy:
Beccy Smith is an Integrative Equine Podiatrist who provides innovative and whole horse focused solutions to hoof-related problems whether the horse is barefoot, booted or shod. She has a unique approach to hoof care, providing horse owners with insights into how the horse’s physiology and management may be influencing their hoof health and wellbeing.
You can find out more about Beccy and her offerings here.
Here are some take home points from this conversation for you to reflect on:
1) There is a fundamental flaw in the hoof care industry in that professionals often argue about methods and approaches while failing to actually look at the whole horse in front of them.
2) Objectivity over subjectivity is crucial. Rather than relying on personal opinion about what a hoof "should" look like, welfare should be assessed using three measurable parameters: physiology (e.g. vital signs, blood work, X-rays), posture, and behaviour. These together form an evidence-based picture of the horse's overall wellbeing.
3) How people choose hoof care providers is a problem. Most owners choose based on whether someone is nice, shows up, and is punctual; none of which tells you anything about whether that provider can actually improve the horse's welfare, performance, or longevity.
4) Considering the hoof’s current developmental state should be a pre-requisite when assessing a horse’s suitability for their workload.
5) Good ideas take time to reach mainstream practice, and in the meantime many people are simply habituated to suboptimal horse welfare because it's so widespread.
6) Don't take information at face value, especially from social media. Seek evidence, challenge assumptions, and always ask what the real impact on the horse actually is.
