Emma Baker; Equine Podiatry DEP MEPA

30/08/2025

Out of office is on until Wednesday 10th Sept!🏝️

And what an interesting few days to finish on.

Who wants to have a guess at what we are looking at in these pictures? 🤔🤔

2 different horses…..both like to keep my on my toes!!

19/07/2025

Trigger warning - discussion about euthanasia and dissections.

I would not be the EP I am today, if it wasn’t for the countless cadavers I have had the privilege to study. To really do this job justice, we must take a deep dive into the biology.

Whilst each cadaver leg I have worked on has taught me something, I often leave with some un answered questions. Without a history on the horse (as these cadavers usually come from the abattoir) my most unanswered question is ‘how did this horse present?’.

Whilst it will always be an emotional challenge for me; being able to perform a dissection on hoof that belonged to a horse I had worked with would give me a special and unique opportunity to learn more, develop my skills and ultimately help others in the future.

I have previously tried to have conversations with clients regarding horses being donated to me when the awful time comes to say goodbye but I have often left with a tinge of guilt, a sense of inappropriateness and just feeling a little sad having raised the topic.

I really do understand how big an ask this is and I can’t stress enough how much I respect a simple ‘No, that’s not for me and my horse’.

Instead of approaching individuals, I thought I would open up an invitation for my clients (and others if interested) to come and approach me to discuss the topic further.

I want to remain respectful for how tricky this topic can be so I will pop further details in the comments section below for those who want to read further.

Now on that topic, go and give your horses an extra cwtch from me ♥️♥️

09/07/2025

Did you know that all Finer Forage feeds and supplements are barefoot friendly?

Our qualified Equine Nutritionist Nia is also a Qualified Equine Podiatrist, who got obsessed with nutrition after realising that most hoof problems were actually diet problems! The development of Finer Forage was driven by a need for a better choice of suitable complete barefoot feeds and supplements.

Your horse doesn't have to be barefoot to enjoy them, of course, but you can be confident that whether shod or not, Finer Forage feeds are perfect for Rock-Crunching hooves of all sizes 🐴

21/06/2025

Urgh….if our summers can stick to under 25 degrees I would really appreciate it! Otherwise you’ll all have to set me up sprinkler systems for working in!

Check in with your HCP’s - we are not ok! 🥵💦😩😩😩😩

16/06/2025

Another wonderful colleague doing her thing and showing what can be achieved in such a small amount of time with the right environment & trim ♥️

Six weeks between these pictures.

11 weeks ago, this boy went onto a track system.
When I saw him 6 weeks ago, his soles were thin (pliable in places) and he had so little growth.

After my visit, his diet got an overhaul and his feet a round of protective Hoof Armor.

Now his insulin levels are down.
He has lost some excess weight.
His heels are expanding, his soles have firmed up, he actually had some growth to address, and he is moving well.

Go Dudley!

31/05/2025

Huge well done to Zoe Martyn - Student Equine Podiatrist for another case study signed off!!

Zoe is on the last stretch of her training (3 years has flown by!!) and will be fully qualified and released into the wild this year!!

Zoe is based in Brynmawr so watch this space!

She is also beautifully demonstrating my only ‘do as I say not as I do….’

Ambidexterity - not something that I persevered enough with and wish I had!

Keep up the fantastic work Zoe - you don’t need me to say how well you are doing, the horses are doing it for you!!

17/05/2025

What a note to end on before holiday!!

Isn’t this damage shocking! Poor pony had a real rough time of it ❤️‍🩹

Please note this is historic damage. Pony is doing so well now (I’ll post a little video in the comments)

Thank you to all my clients offering flexibility on appointment scheduling whilst I enjoy a holiday.

Out of office is now on until Tuesday 27th May!

09/05/2025

Trimming at liberty is something that I ‘dabbled’ with a few years ago. It was a really interesting process and on a day in which everyone was in agreement, it worked really well and I felt I was giving horses freedom and choice.

However, as someone who views hoof care (and my safety) as non negotiable, it didn’t always work.

On those days when everyone WASN’T in agreement and the horse decided they didn’t want their feet trimmed that day (which is totally fair enough), I felt I had ‘muddied the waters’ by then insisting they have their feet trimmed by moving on to using a headcollar/tie up etc….

After experiencing horses saying ‘No’ to something we can’t really allow them to say ‘No’ to, I decided liberty trimming wasn’t for me and I feel we do our horses a better service by providing clear and consistent boundaries.

I strive to provide a patient, comfortable, safe and as pleasurable experience as possible for the horses I work with, but I’m afraid it has to be done.

My phrase to Rio (my own horse) ‘If your headcollar is off, you can walk away. If your headcollar is on, you have to stay.’

All of that to say, however, if they are flat out and I am able to sneak in and do a little trimming without even waking them up - I’m all for that!!!

26/04/2025

Thank you Minty for your support 🤣🤣🤣

12/04/2025

When itching that itchy bit creates a conveniently wide stance perfect for nippering chestnuts!!

Thank you Heel 1st Hoof Care - Sian Hilbourne Student EP for the assistance!

01/04/2025

Introducing my latest trimming essential, the celery rasp!

ALL trimming of toes, from now on, will be done with a celery stick, ensuring no chopping, lopping or cropping of any kind….

23/03/2025

It’s nearly 12 months since I first met Anoushka so I thought we were due an update!

She is now medication free, boot free and enjoying much more freedom.

She has had a real battle with EMS so is likely to need an eagle eye for the rest of her days but I am thrilled with her progress and how she was moving on her last visit.

First part of the video was last year whilst on pain relief. Now stomping around under her own steam ❤️‍🩹