Professional BareFoot Trimmers Central Coast NSW Australia

1. FireForge Brian Rourke Master Farrier 39 years Exp. Mitch Rourke..3rd year Apprentice Farrier Professional BareFoot Trimmers Central Coast NSW Australia

2. Managing the wet conditions here on the Central Coast FireForge promotes natural hoof care…! Only natural remedies are used….with fantastic results. No Chemical hoofcare.

3. Seedy Toe & treatment • Seedy Toe: Can and will enter the Lamina line when it becomes wide and loose, usually due to poor hoof management. Long toe’s – Flares - Lamina tear, causing Inflammation, possible low grade Laminitis. • Causes: moisture – small gravel – unhygienic conditions. Constantly wet hooves. Sharp outer wall edges. Infrequent trimming or (shoeing). • Treatment: Seedy Toe is tiny microbes of Anaerobic material. It can only survive in a dark non oxygenated environment. It’s that simple just open it up to an oxygenated atmosphere with light & it dies. If you leave one microbe it will start all over again. A fantastic medium to treat it is Hydrogen Peroxide. Hydrogen Peroxide is simply a water molecule with 1 extra oxygen molecule H.Pour it in let it bubble until it stops….keep doing it until there is no more bubbling. Flush with water. Peroxide destroys bacteria • Large Seedy Toes. That are intrusive. (more than 25mm wide or traveling up the wall) contact your BareFoot professional. This is a far more involved treatment. • Prevention: Well balanced hooves – concave sole – well rounded walls – solid toe roll (keeps lamina line tight) good sound property management. • Check my web site for more in depth information www.fireforge.com.au

4. What is Hydrogen Peroxide 3% • Hydrogen Peroxide is water with 1 more oxygen molecule.The reason why it foams: Blood & Cells contain an enzyme called Catalase. • When it comes into contact with Peroxide it turn the Peroxide into water and the oxygen to gas. • Catalase does this extremely efficiently….. Up to 200,000 times per second, the bubbles you see in the foam are pure oxygen bubbles being created by the Catalase destroying the bacteria present. • CATALASE: dead cells & blood. Damaged cells…! • If there are no bubbles there is no bacteria present. I try to keep it simple no technical jargon. Manuka Honey • Manuka Honey is a powerful healing agent. All honey’s have some form of healing properties. Yes that is correct, some more so than others. • Manuka Honey produces Hydrogen Peroxide as does all honey. The difference with all other honey’s is there peroxide levels breaks down when they comes into contact with light. • Manuka Honey maintains it’s Hydrogen Peroxide strength in light and oxygen environment. Hence it’s ability to kill bacteria and heel when applied on the damaged hoof lamina- coronary band area – sub lunar sole abscess – blown out heel abscesses. Here we practice natural hoof care. Not chemical hoof care??????

5. Climate-Environment-Terrain • Identify your conditions • Environment- Wet,Dry,Humid,Hot,Cold • Terrain- Hill,Flat,Both,Sandy,Rocky,Good soil. • Pasture- Natural, Improved,Both. • Shelter- Trees,Stables,Open shelter. • Water- Creek,Dam,Trough,Self waters. • Bedding- Straw,Shavings,River Pebbles(not gravel)Dirt.

6. Managing wet hooves • Balance & trim to the conditions • Trim to the season.Winter-Summer • Leave dorsal hoof wall a little longer in Winter to maintain traction. With an emphasis on more rounded edges. Toe to be keep short & well rolled. Keeps the lamina line tight. • In Summer maintain the wall just above the sole plain. Most horses self trim here on the Coast. Trim a little a lot. Don’t whittle. • Keep a Data Base of your trims. Take pictures & notes to compare, bye weekly,monthly, seasonal to compare from last season.

7. Today’sSituation • The hoof will not look the same today as it looked in summer. This is a natural occurrence. • Systemic: In Summer the sole should maintain it’s hardness. The horn tubules close up relying more on the horses own system to to provide moisture. In winter or periods of rain the horn tubules open up to allow the hoof to take in moisture from the ground. Systemic working again • In summer we can help this occur by using the available environmental conditions. • In winter this is the opposite as we try to keep the hooves as dry as possible. As dry as possible just means keep them out of bogs – wet gateways. Elevated pastures – this is not possible on some properties. We just have to manage with what we have on hand. It is so easy to spell them elsewhere for a short time. Just like you taking a holiday to recuperate. They are no different trust me.

8. Do you know the history of your horse • Do they have a history of hoof problems. • Have you solved them or are they on going. • Have you had a second opinion from a professional hoof specialist (Master Farrier. BareFoot professional) A vet Specializing in natural hoof care. • You can prevent or rectify most causes by managing your available resources. Pastures,shelter,fencing, nutrition. Etc.

9. Available Options • At night or in wet conditions make sure their shelter has dry conditions for there hooves. I mean dry here. • Horses will not get bed sores standing on river pebbles as they sleep standing up. Horses very rarely sleep lying down, they mostly rest. (due to there Flight & Fright nature) if they are not confined to the shelter they will go and lie down out side. How often do you see your horse sleeping on the ground in their stable????? • A hell of a lot easier to keep clean. • As well as cost saving, remove the pebbles wash and replace. • This method has 2 advantages. It conditions there hooves, as well as keeps them dry. Dobbin will quickly learn how good his feet feel.

10. Recommendation • Hoof abscesses: Visit my web site for recommended treatment WWW.fireforge.com.au • Gravel: If possible fence that area off during winter • Feeding: don’t feed near gateways, rotate the feeding area on a regular basis. Feed off the ground if possible. It will slow down the long foot short foot syndrome…..! I will explain this as we move along • By changing a few of there habits and yours. You will reap the rewards. GOOD SOUND HOOVES ALL YEAR ROUND