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By Carole Herder What is your favorite piece of horse equipment? What could you not do without? I think we all have that ‘essential’ tool, the ‘must have’ aid. Excluding your bridle and saddle (if you use them!), is it your hoof pick? Your long-lines? Your neck rein/strap? Your rasp? Your plaiting bands?? For many…
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Announcing Trade Supplier of the Year Winner at the 2015 BETA International show in Birmingham, UK This past week, Greg Giles, CEO of Cavallo Horse & Rider, attended the BETA (British Equestrian Trade Association) show in Birmingham, England. We just received an exciting report from an overjoyed Greg, letting us know that Battles (one of…
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By Carole Herder So you want to go barefoot (or rather you want your horse to go barefoot!) but you are nervous. Will he be lame? Will I be able to ride? Will he damage himself? What will everyone think of me? How long will it take his hooves to be strong? So many questions,…
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By Carole Herder Cracks. Cruddy, cruel, conniving (yes, they do seem out to personally attack our horse’s beautiful hooves) hoof cracks. What causes them? And why are some horses prone to them but not others? Types of cracks: • Grass Crack – a superficial crack starting from the ground and moving up. Can be caused…
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By Carole Herder Need some scientific jargon to back up your barefoot theories? I came across a great article by Dr. Robert Bowker recently, entitled ‘Nerves, Nerves, Nerves: Why Are They So Important To The Horse?’ The article gives an in-depth descriptive narrative on the different types of nerves in the hoof, how horses feel…
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By Carole Herder Do you oil or condition?? Did you know that 90% of the moisture required for the hoof wall comes from within the blood and lymph vessels? Moisture balance is extremely important to healthy hooves. It is the moisture, made up of water and salts and electrolytes, which ensures that the tubules (hollow…
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By Carole Herder What sort of personality does your horse have? I blogged about anthropomorphism recently and human traits and characteristics are certainly something we all put upon our horses! Is he cheeky, quirky, stubborn, willful, lazy, or excitable? How many of us adjust the way we present ourselves based on who we are in…
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By Carole Herder The French born fashion designer Coco Channel is one of my most respected business women. She was listed in Time Magazine as one of the top 100 most influential people of the 20th century. One of her fabulous quotes comes to mind when I have a good look at various faces. She…
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By Carole Herder So you think horse shoes are bad news? Try thinking about them in winter?!?! Mud, ice and snow packed onto the bottom of the hoof secured with the shoe. Freezing cold metal nailed onto your horse’s foot and banging onto the ground every time they take a step. Slipping and sliding on…
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