Beckie Mabbutt

Here are a few pictures of a horse I got to see in Germany. This is an 18hh jumping horse with serious conformation and foot issues. To simplify this horses feet have completely collapsed and there is nothing supporting the inner structures, this is combined with a lot of infections. This example shows that sometimes you have to think outside the box and use what you can, and whats available to get the horse comfortable. This horse moved really freely around the school
after shoeing.

I've just discovered that I can post video's on my site, and if you scroll down I've tested out my first one. This is going to be a great way to help show different cases to you. I will also do some mini tutorials soon. Keep your eyes peeled now for some more video footage.

I've just had a very busy week full of new experiences. Firstly I spent three days instructing and testing some farriers at a Natural Balance Certification Clinic in the South of England. I then went on a road trip to Germany for a 3 day Clinic to help with Demonstrations and Instructing of a group of 65 German Farriers. This was an excellent experience. I had my own groups of Farriers to instruct through two hands on shoeing days, one of which being an Advanced Lameness day where we shod a handful of horses with varying lameness's. Throughout a lot of Europe they do things a little different and work in pairs with one person holding the leg (often the owner!) whilst the farrier kneels down and does the shoeing. This seems very foreign to me and quite dangerous but I did have a go, here are a few examples.

This is a horse I saw this week in Germany. It has a severe toe out conformation.