Mark Johnson Farrier - another way?

28/10/2025

Dave MacDonald has been an absolute diamond with his support of Robbie Richardson and myself and our venture https://www.hoofbootfarriers.com/

Very nice to have a listen to him talk and gain a further insight into Mr Scoot Boot, one of the worlds most adaptable hoof boots

One of my main focuses in my hoofcare business is barefoot transition and hoof rehabilitation. That might sound like a lot of fancy words, but really all that means is that I am working to grow healthier hooves through educating about horse management, and utilizing trims to "nudge" the hoof in the direction I want it to go. So when I had the chance to chat with Dave MacDonald, co-founder of Scoot Boots and another hoof rehab enthusiast, I took it!

In this week's podcast episode, Dave and I talk about how to prepare for a successful transition to barefoot, how to approach a trim in the early stages of rehab, and what we look for in tracking progress. We also discuss various pathologies, (like my favorite one to work on - navicular!), and how these can be addressed through hoof rehabilitation.

You can hear the entire conversation on any podcast app under "The Humble Hoof," or directly at this link: https://thehumblehoof.com/2025/10/24/barefoot-hoof-rehab/

And a huge thank you to Scoot Boots for sponsoring our SOLD OUT Podiatry Clinic starting TOMORROW! While the event is sold out, there is still time to purchase the livestream option on our website.

25/10/2025

In the middle of a HoofBoot Farriers Scoot Boot course morning coffee this turns up

Historically crafted to fit a donkey the thought and workmanship that’s gone into this is awesome!

Specific reason for its creation is unknown

24/10/2025

I am ashamed to say I’m only just getting around to this incredible documentary series and yesterday I set Dr Sue Dyson’s chapter to play so I could listen to the audio at least as I drove

I was so impressed and in this relaxed and conversational presentation there was just sooo much information, if you do decide to purchase this chapter I’m sure anyone involved with the care and interaction of a horse will gain something of interest and benefit from this incredible combination of knowledge and experience

22/10/2025

There is a very dangerous and misleading statement being made on the internet.

Quote
“Laminitis is not caused by diet”

I urge you to use caution if you choose to believe this.

I am a student of the hoof for the past 10 years and I am mentored by Prof Chris Pollitt, the pioneer who discovered the insulin relationship to laminitis. I beg you to be very careful with what you hear out there being touted by lay people.

Horses will die unnecessary painful excruciating deaths if you follow this misinformation.

By ignoring the well understood relationship between high insulin and laminitis you may be inclined to turn out your ponies onto the rich grass. Apparently it’s said that a balanced trim is the key- which I do not totally agree with.

Once the genie is out of the bottle and the laminae are failing due to high insulin stretching and snapping the laminar attachments of bone to inner hoof wall then good luck getting it back.

Is it worth the risk?

Have you seen laminitis appear in the spring when the grass starts to grow. Or after a long hot summer, when the rains start, and boom, laminitis rears its head. Why is that?

Why do many horses suffer laminitis after getting into the grain shed and gourged themselves? Is it the grain or the trim?

Trimming is important, but you cannot trim your way into preventing or treating laminitis without looking far deeper into the cause. Diet and insulin go hand in hand.

Do you think that these lay people that come up with such crazy and dangerous statements that are said as if they are fact have actually been in the lab and done any research?

These are frightening times my friends.

Anyone can say anything and mislead us.

Maybe it is intentional, it just feeds the algorithm and everyone comments and argues and shouts and the ones dropping bombshell dangerous statements just rub their hands in glee at the carnage.

It’s sick.
It’s dangerous
I follow the science.

This is my position statement.

11/10/2025

I’m very happy to be educated which is why I’m asking the question?

By far greater minds than mine are saying that high insulin levels are being attributed to causing endocrinopathic laminitis and the control of insulin levels is now seen as a major target to recovery and it is! But, how is insulin causing inflammation? It’s rise is always accompanied with raised cortisol and raised glucose both of which are inflammatory antagonists so I’m personally stuck not understanding and I really want to and nothing so far has made sense - sorry for being thick! 🤓

10/10/2025

Soundness and Symmetry

"If you've ever held beliefs, take them out into the full sunlight, scrutinies them, pick them apart, challenge them and hit them with a cricket bat and if they still hold true, be prepared to repeat the process at some stage, just to make sure!'

well that's the gist of what some Australian bloke said.

In the meantime the Horses Inside Out conference and ANATOMY exhibition go from strength to strength, so do stop by in the limb zone for a chat while you're there!

There is many a conversation starter 😊

https://www.hioconference.com

10/10/2025

Something to definitely keep an eye on!

07/10/2025

Get the biomechanics, support and comfort sorted and this recovering laminitic is able to move and stretch out.

Previously in MoreAid Squish pads and now in adapted Scoot boots, this configuration like the Squish is lightweight and very supportive with the added advantage of making a 2 week trim cycle an easy option.

powered by HoofBoot Farriers and fueled by an occasional oat milk latte 😊

https://www.hoofbootfarriers.com/

04/10/2025

Why am I sharing this? Because it was a lot of fun to do and I believe it’s a totally unique project where multiple professionals, all having input and influence in an owner and horses life all join together to discuss their individual roles within that group and massive kudos to Gillian Higgins for having been so generous with Freddie and pulling this together