Hoof Geeks Barefoot Hoofcare

01/17/2026

We’ve got a new video and blog post where Christine and I talk about the year ahead and walk you through our Western Canada clinic route for 2026.

you can see the map and the details on our site here: www.hoofgeeks.ca/blog/2026-clinic-route-western-canada-hoof-care-clinics

01/13/2026

In case y'all missed it here's Christine's video again...
2025 where we headed to the East Coast of Canada,
Gratitude musings...
and looking ahead for 2026!

We love all our Hoof Geeks and look forward to seeing you again and to meeting lots of NEW PASSIONATE horse owners!

01/13/2026

A Pony is NOT a Small Horse.

You think you are spoiling him with that bucket of grain. Actually, you are poisoning him.

Here is the hard truth about Ponies and "Founder."

🌾 1. The Survival Engine: Horses evolved on plains. Ponies evolved on harsh, rocky islands. Nature designed ponies to survive on moss and rocks. They have a "Thrifty Metabolism." To a pony, modern grain and lush grass aren't food—they are pure sugar bombs.

💉 2. The Insulin Spike: When you feed a pony grain, his insulin skyrockets (Hyperinsulinemia). Because of his genetics, his body panics. The Science: High insulin levels attack the "glue" (laminae) that holds his hoof wall to his bone.

🦴 3. The "Velcro" Rips: This is called Laminitis. The biological Velcro inside the hoof unzips. The internal bone (Coffin Bone) disconnects from the hoof wall and rotates downward. The Reality: The bone starts sinking through the sole of his foot. It is excruciatingly painful.

The Rule: A pony needs hay, a mineral block, and bare dirt (or a grazing muzzle). He does not need grain. He does not need carrots.

Love him by keeping him lean. Don't kill him with kindness.

01/11/2026

The "Raincoat" Mistake: Why a Donkey is NOT a Small Horse.

We see it all the time: A horse and a donkey standing in a field during a cold rainstorm. The horse is grazing happily. The donkey looks miserable.

Many owners think: "If the horse is fine, the donkey is fine."

Wrong. Biologically, you are looking at two completely different animals.

🌵 1. The Desert DNA Horses (Equus ferus) evolved on windy, rainy temperate plains. They are built for bad weather. Donkeys (Equus africanus) evolved in the African Desert. They are built for dry heat, not wet cold.

🧽 2. The "Sponge" Effect Run your hand over a horse in the rain. The water beads up and rolls off. Why? Because horses produce sebum (natural grease) and have a dense undercoat that acts as a natural raincoat. Donkeys do not have this. Their hair is coarse and lacks that protective grease layer. When it rains, water doesn't roll off a donkey—it soaks in. A wet donkey is wearing a soaking wet wool sweater against its skin. It sucks the heat right out of their body.

⚠️ 3. The Danger Zone Because they lack this waterproofing, a donkey can enter hypothermia in temperatures where a horse would be perfectly comfortable. Without shelter, this leads to:

Pneumonia (a leading killer of donkeys).

"Rain Scald" (severe skin rot).

Immense stress (look for the "hunched" posture).

📚 The Science: According to The Donkey Sanctuary (UK), the world's leading authority on donkey welfare: "Donkeys do not have a waterproof coat like the horse."

The Rule: A horse can stand in the rain. A donkey MUST have a roof.

Be a pal. Build the barn. 🏠🫏

01/09/2026

2025 was a big year for Hoof Geeks!

For the first time, we took clinics out east to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, along with Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario.

Christine put together a short video and a year-in-review about the past season, the clinics, and what’s ahead in 2026 for the HOOF GEEKS.

👉 Read the full post here: www.hoofgeeks.ca/blog/2025-year-in-review-hoof-care-clinics-across-canada

A 2025 year in review from Hoof Geeks, reflecting on clinics across Canada, student experiences, and what’s ahead for hoof care education in 2026.

01/01/2026

01/01/2026

There is a correct order for a set-up trim — and getting it wrong can affect balance, comfort, and long-term hoof health.

In the January Hoof Geeks Membership video, Christine walks through the Order of Trimming for a Set-Up Trim, using Maverick as an example. This 27-minute video explains why trim sequence matters and how each step influences the next.
Included with each video is a written transcript summary to support learning and application.

Join the Hoof Geeks Membership for instant access to this video plus 21 hoof care videos. www.hoofgeeks.ca/member-site-homepage

Monthly: $6.99
Yearly: $76.90 (save $6.99)

Want 🎅 to gift you the membership? Get your loved one to buy a Hoof Geeks Gift Card 💳! www.hoofgeeks.ca/shop/p/hoof-geeks-gift-card

01/01/2026

Happy New Year!
Christine & I want to thank each and every one of you for being a part of our community. We had a BLAST travelling to the East Coast in 2025 and we're looking forward to seeing new and old Hoof Geeks as we travel to the West Coast in 2026!

2025 was also the year we started our video membership and it's growing and growing... very exciting to see that we can support YOU this way all year long.

xo
Christine & Francine (aka the Hoof Geeks)

12/22/2025

Wishing everyone a Happy Solstice🌞 and very Merry Christmas 🎅and Happy Holidays.🎄🎁

As we wrap up the year, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us at Hoof Geeks clinics and to all of our Video Members.

Your curiosity, commitment to learning, and dedication to your horses is what makes this community so special.

We’re looking forward to another wonderful year of sharing practical, thoughtful hoof care knowledge to help keep horses healthy, happy, and sound in 2026. 🐴✨

xo Francine & Christine
the Hoof Geeks

12/16/2025

🐎 Calling all horse lovers! We are looking for hosts in southern Alberta for our hoof trimming clinics in May 2026? Let’s connect! 🌾