Mark Johnson Farrier - another way?

09/05/2026

The longer the toe gets further away from the optimum point of breakover and the pedal bone, the greater the tension on all the hoof and limb structures as the horse moves forward, just bend your finger nail back and watch the blood get squeezed out from the upper section and then think of magnifying that force

08/05/2026

More on this topic to come, much more! But not from The study of the equine hoof

Today I have been liaising with the owner of a horse in a desperate situation which has culminated in euthanasia but we need to do justice to the horse and what has been shared by its now devastated owner so at some point, a post will follow on but for now, please! Do all you can to keep your horses healthy 🙏

Bulging sole where the coffin bone has sunk.

In this section you can see the tip of the coffin bone (P3), I’ve outlined it , and it is sitting far lower than it should within the capsule. That space beneath it should be occupied by healthy, well-produced sole. It isn’t.

The connection to the inner hoof wall has failed, and once that happens the horse’s weight and gravity don’t just load the foot, they drive the bone downward.

Look at the apex. That sharp margin of bone is now sitting directly above the sole plane. Over time, that pressure compromises the circumflex blood supply — the very supply that feeds the cells responsible for producing sole.

Those cells stop functioning properly.

So instead of a firm, protective sole, you’re left with tissue that feels soft, almost spongy under thumb pressure. Not because it’s “good sole” — but because it’s not being produced or maintained as it should be.

You can often start to see the shape of the bone through the sole. The foot is literally telling you what is happening internally.

This is frequently mistaken for a subsolar abscess by inexperienced folk.

It isn’t.

This is mechanical and vascular failure combined.

We talk a lot about rotation in laminitis, but sinking like this is a very different and far more serious level of pathology.

Once the laminar connection fails - enough not to hold the weight of the horse anymore, the bone will plunge down.

Some say the capsule moves up… whatever you want to call it and debate it, it looks like sinking to me and it’s devastating.

Note at the coronary groove where the wall is created, there is a black line that’s pointing down. That’s the soft newly formed wall tissue that been dragged down with the coffin bone.

Zoom in at that area, the sockets in the coronary groove have been pulled down. The coronary groove which should be a distinct “c” shape has been pulled down and is looking straighter.

In the live horse, there will be a distinct dip between top of wall and hair.

06/05/2026

Matthew Jackson and myself couldn’t have enjoyed our conversation with Yasmin Stuart Equine Physio more! I opened with the scenario of "High / Low" wich in simple terms means one foot is flat with the other being taller and more upright, but the conversation went everywhere but high / low which is a great invitation for part 2

Yasmin is an equine advocte second to none and her passion for whole h**e welfare shines through

We thoroughly enjoyed this and if you can spare just over an hour we hope you’ll enjoy it too 🙏

Yasmin Stuart is a qualified equine physiotherapist with what I think is fair to say, a fairly unique approach which truly encompasses the whole horse, physically of course but especially emotionally too.Yasmin is passionate about the way horses a...

05/05/2026

A simple, clear and straightforward demonstration of some anatomical hoof mechanics

30/04/2026

28/04/2026

More than one way to approach laminitic hoofcare

When money is tight using what’s to hand can be a great idea, we needed some comfort and protection to a vulnerable sole under the tip of the pedal bone so these Flex boots, the toe opened and heat fitted have ticked the box 👍 (for now)

26/04/2026

Time and again over my career I’ve been told how a badly fitting saddle can have a profound negative effect on a horse and not just by one person who knows stuff but by many, all singing off the same hymn sheet

Yet, in the great scheme, a saddle especially these days is only worn by the horse for relatively short periods of time (usually), yet that’s still enough to do damage?

Well let’s think this the other way around when it comes to bespoke orthotics and hoof boots, is it possible that a boot with an orthotic, tailored to the individual horse, even though in the great scheme is only being worn for a short period of time has the capacity to make a positive change to a horses posture, hoof structure, way of going and possibly above all behaviour?

I’m going to say without any scientific testing and based only on anecdotal feedback from some clients and therapists that yes it has that potential and for some horses it can

IF we can firstly bring comfort to a horse, then mechanically assist its posture / conformation we will have a direct effect on its neurological pathways, “I feel comfortable, my body can move more efficiently so I feel more relaxed” comfort = movement, movement builds structure but correct movement will be the icing on the cake and if the horse is enabled it will become far more willing (I think 🤔 😊)

25/04/2026

Loads of car park space too 👍

Speaking of which, does anyone fancy another lower limb dissection day followed by a live trim demo?

The idea is we have a look inside the limb, see where those observations take our thoughts and then, on the live horses it’s what are you doing, how and why? And in my world horses are individual and so have individual requirements which means varied decision making depending …..

Maybe drop Sam an email at Loddington and register your interest and if it is of interest we will see what we can come up with 😊

22/04/2026

They can’t say “second to none” but I can 😁

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