Holistic Horses Lara Sportelli

25/09/2025

Thrush and Frogs
Frog
If the frog is atrophied, small or misaligned, the fundamental issue usually involves the frog and the heels of the hoof capsule, not being on or close to the same plane.

It is not always to do with the frog being out of alignment or encased by the collateral grooves, it can also be to do with bars, sole, hoof wall and heel height.

Correct all those things and the frog, with its amazing elasticity, will realign itself, often within a matter of days.

Every part of the hoof matters, regards balance and correct movement.

The horses frog is similar in its cellular makeup to skin and therefore undergoes a process, whereby older cells shed naturally over time.

The process involves the outward migration of epidermal cells that slowly die and accumulate keratin.

Keratin holds the dead cells together into a structural, protective, tough covering.

The frog is a structure made up of tissue, with a dermis and epidermis and exfoliates naturally.

Shock Absorption
When the hoof lands, the frog helps dissipate some of the force away from the bones and joints.

Blood Flow
The frog plays a major role in pushing blood up out of the foot.

There are no muscles in the lower leg or hoof and the venous plexus, right above the frog, plays a huge part in pushing blood back up to the heart.

The venous plexus is a vast network of veins, located on both sides of each of the lateral cartilages and in the sensitive structures of the foot.

The compression of these veins by the plantar cushion (same structure as digital cushion), against the lateral cartilages and the coffin bone, against the hoof, all act as a pump, to force the blood up the leg and back to the heart.

When the horse puts a hoof down, this dissipates concussion, the blood is squeezed out with the impact and travels back up the leg.

Protection
The frog helps shield the sensitive digital cushion, the soft tissue beneath the sole, that separates the frog and the heel bulb, from the underlying tendons and bones and the deep digital flexor tendon above it.

The horse’s heels have sensory nerve endings, similar to those of the human finger tips and the frog likely has a role with proprioception, that is the awareness of where the horses feet and body are.

How the horse actually puts it’s hoof down, may be partly due to the frog feeling the ground conditions, regards how it will land, a concept researchers are currently studying.

Traction
The frog also provides traction on various surfaces.

We see this in snowy and icy conditions, when barefoot horses have better grip than shod horses, the same on the roads, unless the shod horse has special traction devices.

The frog corium produces the frog.

The frog calluses, adapts and exfoliates itself.

The frog is used for proprioception, as a shock absorber, brake and weight bearing surface.

The whole hoof, frog, soles, bars, heels and the heels, quarters and toe of the hoof wall, are all weight bearing surfaces of the hoof.

Break over happens the second the heels leave the ground and occurs all round the hoof.

Thrush:
Thrush is a bacterial infection, that occurs in the tissue of the frog.

Some horses are more predisposed to it than others.

To cure and prevent thrush, you need to trim in a way that promotes healthy frog growth and remove any dead frog, that’s causing an issue or harbouring any bacteria.

Here’s How It Happens:
The disease begins, when bacteria penetrates the outer horn (epidermis of the frog).

As it progresses, the frog tissue deteriorates, looking uneven, ragged, smelly and possibly with a cheesy like substance.

In severe cases, the bacteria can reach the inner dermis (frog corium that grows the frog), the sensitive tissues beneath the frog.

This causes pain and lameness, it can also affect the digital cushion, P3 and other structures within the foot and produce a black paste like substance.

Contrary to popular belief, thrush is not caused directly by wet, muddy conditions, such conditions just aggravate the original cause.

Thrush often develops in horses with unhealthy frogs and compromised hooves.

You can put a horse with healthy frogs in the worst possible conditions, for example, excessively damp or wet, muddy conditions and they will rarely get thrush.

On the other-hand, some of the most pampered horses get thrush (despite their immaculate surroundings), because the frogs aren’t healthy.

A healthy well-formed frog is usually broad and well callused, sharing the load-bearing function with the other structures of the hoof, this helps to absorb concussion (think of the tyres of your car).

The frog also aids traction (acts as a natural brake).

This in turn stimulates continued good frog health.

A healthy frog also has a natural self-cleaning mechanism and when it comes into contact with the ground it expands, pushing accumulated dirt and debris out of the central sulcus and the collateral sulcus on each side of the frog (making up one side of the collateral groove).

You can see this in action, when the hoof leaves behind its own round compacted clump.

An unhealthy frog, often recesses or disappears from the surface level of the rest of the hoof and is often smaller in size than it should be.

This can also occur from trimming issues, such as really high heels, therefore the caudal (back) part of the hoof, is not engaging with the ground, peripheral loading (weight only being loaded onto the outer hoof wall) and genetics such as a clubfoot.

The unhealthy frog does not share the horses weight load, so it shifts too much of the load back onto the heels of the hoof capsule, this then limits the frogs contact with the ground, thus reducing stimulation from the ground and causing the frog to atrophy.

It can also be caused by over trimming the frog, therefore stripping it of it’s natural protective callous.

Different treatments seem to work in different places and no one cure suits all, it can vary.

You can treat mild thrush with a solution of apple cider vinegar and water, soak the hoof 20-30 mins each day and apply solution a couple of times a day, into all the creases and grooves, with a spray or syringe.

You can also use green clay with tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil and honey, making sure it’s packed well into grooves and creases.

You can make a dressing with honey or make a eucalyptus and tea tree oil solution.

Soak the hoof in salt water and apply dressing.

Honey, is a favourite of mine and also good for burns and wounds, it prevents blistering and scars and for wounds it prevents white hair from growing back.

As with every hoof, the cause of the issue needs to be addressed correctly and prevention is always better than cure.

Check your horses hooves regularly.

23/09/2025

A trimming assessment and part trim on the beautiful 29 year old mare Lily 🐴 filmed when I was based in Devon.

The one and only video I have of a trimming assessment, because I was asked to make one. Luckily it turned out ok, as I’m incredibly nervous at speaking directly to camera, live down the wires 😁

Sadly Lily is no longer with us, but I will always be very grateful to beautiful Lily and lovely Caroline, for allowing us to film 💕

Balance, movement, assessment and trim.

The way the horse moves effects the hooves and the hooves effect the way the horse moves.

The horse uses every part of their hoof to weight bear, hoof wall, frog, bars and sole.

Before I trim any horse, I always find out a bit of history, assess movement and each hoof individually and trim accordingly.

I explain everything about the hoof and trim and always involve the horses human in the trimming process 💜🦄

Using a rasp in a sideways, straight and outwards motion, helps precision, so you only rasp the part of the hoof that actually needs rasping.

Following the contours of the smooth outer hoof wall, there are no ledges or square toes.

I adjust myself to each horse and adapt my way of trimming, to help each horse in any way I possibly can. Especially for older horses and horses with compromised hooves.

I went on to regularly trim Lily and these are Caroline’s very kind words from her review:

Lara has just completed a trim on my 29 year old Thoroughbred x Cleveland bay Lily.

I was extremely impressed with the way Lara methodically and sensitively worked on Lily’s feet, pointing out to me as she went, where there were things that she would like to address and work on.

Lily suffers from arthritis, particularly in her hinds, but it felt like she knew that Lara was going to help her, as she was much more willing to lift her feet, than I have previously experienced.

When Lara finished, Lily moved away from the yard and I could clearly see an improvement in her movement - I actually felt a little emotional as she was clearly more comfortable and moving more freely.

At 29, that was wonderful to see.

Thank you Lara for doing such an amazing job 😊

22/09/2025

A Little About The Horse Owners Trimming Course.

The horse owners trimming course is designed for your personal use only, for your own horses and everyone signs a disclaimer to that effect.

I take the horse owners trimming courses very seriously and I teach in person.

This course is not designed as a professional trimming course, for people looking to offer trimming services to other peoples horses, for profit or for free.

Students specifically learn how to trim their own horses.

When students learn to trim their own horses, they learn about any tiny differences, nuances or adjustments, that may be required and why.
The trim is specific to the needs of their own horses hooves.

Students receive an in-depth theory, tools list and the knowledge to trim their own horses hooves only.

They receive my ongoing help and support at anytime, if required.

They can send photos and have live video guidance calls anytime.

They also have my help, full support and guidance, if they acquire a new horse.

Many horse owners don’t realise what trimming involves, until they learn for their own horses and quite often, many people don’t understand the hoof or foot and the difference between trims, which is understandable.

Once you learn to trim, you will see hooves in a completely different way.

Professional trimming requires deep knowledge and understanding of the hoof and foot, ongoing support and lots of guided practice, to learn exactly what each and every single hoof requires, how, why, where and when.

Although the hoof structures are the same, every single hoof is different, as shown in the video.

It is not possible, to gain the experience and knowledge you need, to trim every single hoof, from a short course and trimming a few hooves.

I do not train any professional trimmers.

Why?
It would be a huge responsibility on my part and trimming is a responsibility, that should not be taken lightly.

Training professional trimmers requires a very lengthy training process, learning in-depth about the hoof and the foot, structures, trimming thousands of different hooves, rehabilitation, pathologies, theory, bio mechanics, lameness, laminitis, physiology and anatomy.

It takes years of trimming training on live hooves, a good eye and deep knowledge of the hoof and foot, to really understand exactly what each and every single hoof requires, how, when, where and why.

I trained intensely with a homeopathic and western medicine vet for three years and passed tough theory exams and practicals, all the way through to the finals, before I even dreamed of going out trimming other peoples horses.

I have been trimming for almost twenty years and I was very apprehensive when I first started the horse owners trimming courses, but so far nearly all my students have been impeccable and have respected the design of the course.

They have not broken my trust and are doing very fine trimming work, with their own horses hooves.

Please also be aware, that I absolutely do not endorse anyone, who has taken my horse owners trimming course, to go out trimming anyone else’s horses for profit or for free, or in my name.

It goes against my beliefs, ethics, code of practice and conduct towards the horses.

I love horses and I take all aspects of my work very seriously and the most important beings in my work, are the horses themselves, always the horses and their welfare, no two ways about it.

I only run these courses, because I feel horse owners should feel empowered to be able to trim their own horses, if they’d like to and it would be a shame if anyone ruined it, or jeopardised it for others, who genuinely want to learn to trim their own horses.

These courses are designed with love and based on mutual respect and trust.

If I ever started to feel that my courses were being abused in any way, or starting to put other peoples horses at risk, I would stop running them.

I could not take responsibility for any trimming damage or lameness caused to other peoples horses, through my horse owners trimming courses.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind and no question.

Thank you, Lara 💜🦄###

20/09/2025

Trimming is not just about trim, it’s also about knowing what’s inside the hoof capsule when you trim and why balance is so important, for all sorts of reasons 💜🦄

19/09/2025

A little peek inside at Navicular Syndrome, with Professor Robert Bowker.

Caudal Heel Pain and Navicular Syndrome.

I have been saying for years, that Navicular is not about the Navicular bone itself.

It’s about the negative vibration of shoes and the damage caused to blood vessels, digital cushion, DDFT, cartilage, ligaments and basically the whole foot, not the bone itself, as a study by Professor Robert Bowker shows and explains here in this video.

It's not really about the navicular boneNavicular syndrome is one of the most dreaded causes of lameness in horses because it is common, it's debilitating an...

18/09/2025

Hoof Abscesses
Healthy horses with good quality hooves and correct trimming are not typically prone to abscesses, let alone repeated hoof abscesses, but they can certainly start to develop them, with enough provocation.

Incorrect Trimming:
Horses with long, overgrown hooves or unbalanced trims, are at a greater risk of developing abscesses, than well-maintained balanced hooves.

Poor Hoof Quality:
A horse with weak, shelly hooves is more likely to develop bruises and cracks, that allow bacteria to enter.

Chronic Laminitis or Founder:
Ongoing, low-level inflammation of the laminae may not lead to a classic laminitic stance, with the horse rocked back on his hindquarters in obvious pain. Instead, it can show up as repeated abscesses.

Uncontrolled Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID, also known as Cushing’s). This common hormonal disorder of older horses can increase the risk of hoof abscesses, by weakening the immune system.

Environmental Conditions:
Paddock footing that fluctuates repeatedly between wet and dry, can cause the hoof to expand and contract rapidly. This can lead to tiny cracks that allow bacteria to enter and form abscesses. Likewise, rocky or uneven footing can cause repeated, small traumas to the hoof, leading to recurring abscesses.

Never dig an abscess out, this can cause all sorts of other problems and infection.

Abscesses are infections of the sensitive areas of the foot, which can occur when bacteria has penetrated the protective outer layers of the sole and visible laminae (white line, golden in colour).

Bacteria can also work its way into the sensitive areas, through weaknesses within the laminae, as a result of bruising or Inflammation of the corium and an accumulation of pus or also via a puncture wound, though much less likely.

A sub-solar abscess or pus in the foot is an infection beneath the sole of the hoof.

Sub-solar abscesses cause severe pain to your horse, due to the build up of pressure under the hoof capsule, that cannot expand.

Sub-solar abscesses can also occur after bruising of the sole, along with a secondary infection.

When a horse has a sub-solar abscess, your horse will often bear almost no weight on the affected limb and will just touch the toe to the ground.

The hoof can feel warmer than the other hooves and a strong digital pulse can often be felt.

Soaking in warm water and Epsom salts or other solutions helps soften some parts of the hoof and draws out infection, it works very well for humans too.

The abscess will find its way out in a soft or weak spot, taking the path of least resistance. If you think when we get splinters and don’t dig them out, they find their way to the surface and pop out all on their own, an abscess is not that different and I would not recommend digging it out.

It is also best to keep the horse comfortable and moving if possible, to help blood flow, circulation and healing.

When the hoof is not soaking you can also use a warm animalintex poultice with French clay and a few drops of essential tea tree oil or yarrow (one of my favourites, fantastic on wounds and for stemming bleeding) to help draw out the infection. You can also use a good old fashion bran poultice.

Then put a piece of padding, wrap the hoof in a padding, bandage and plastic bag or poultice boot or nappy, to keep the poultice in place and eventually it will pop, in the softest spot, most often at the top between the periople and coronet or in the bulbs of the heel and abscesses are definitely not caused by being barefoot.

Once the abscess has popped and the pus has drained, clean with a mild disinfectant and seal the hole with clay, bandaging is no longer necessary. Keep clean and disinfected, you can make a solution with tea tree oil.

Garlic is good for many things, amongst being good for the respiratory tract, it is also meant to be good for lamis, it’s said to help open the capillaries and allow better blood flow to the hoof, so it might also assist an abscess.

14/09/2025

Hoof thoughts.

There is no part of the hoof that shouldn’t be there.

Every horse is different and each one of their hooves are unique.

Trim each hoof you have in front of you accordingly.

Know your tools, how do they feel.

Each trimming tool has a purpose and blunt tools are no good.

I always wear gloves.

If you are using a knife, why are you using the knife and what is the exact purpose of your knife.

If you are using a knife to take away the sole, why are you taking away the sole, for what reason.

The sole is there to cover and protect the P3/pedal/coffin bone, that’s covered with corium, containing blood vessels and nerves.

The thicker the sole, the more protection and it is important to be able to understand sole thickness.

Do you know the sole depth of that particular hoof.

Sole depth can be understood by the depth of the collateral grooves.

How much depth do the collateral grooves have.

Concavity is not carved, it’s built and varies on terrain, your horses hooves adapt to the type of terrain they live on.

If you are removing false sole, why has that hoof put down false sole, what is the reason for the false sole and why are you removing the false sole.

If a horse has thin soles, you can use boots with thick pads until the sole has thickened.

When in a stable, with no boots, use deep, soft, conforming bedding, like shavings or similar.

If you are taking away the frog, why are you taking away the frog.

The frog is there to help cushion and absorb shock and act as a break, the bigger the better.

If the frog disappears, what is the reason.

If the frog has flaps, what is the reason.

If the horse is exfoliating the whole frog naturally, there’s no need to cut it off, it will come off by itself, once the whole new frog is completely in place.

If you are using nippers, why are you using them, what are you using them for.

Do you know the correct angle and how to use them properly.

If you are taking away any part of the hoof wall with nippers, what is your reason for doing so.

The outer hoof wall is an impermeable coat of armour, protecting all the delicate structures of the foot.

If you are using a rasp, what type of rasp are you using, what is its purpose, why and how are you using it.

Are the heels really under-run or is it just an illusion and how do you correct them.

If the hooves are flared, why are they flared.

If the horses hoof wear patterns change, why have they changed.

Are they better or worse for wear.

There are many different methods out there, each one claiming to be the best, but trimming is not about a method.

Trimming is learning about the hoof, contours, understanding how it wants to be, knowledge of all it’s structures and how they function, training your eye to every tiny detail, making tiny alterations that are needed for a reason and knowing what that reason is, how the hoof mechanism works, balance, motion, all of this and so much more.

A tiny whisp of the rasp, can make a huge difference to the hoof and to the horse.

It can be a tiny difference, that makes all the difference, as to whether a horse can stride out over stones or not.

The most important aspect in all of this, is that trimming is about making sure the horse is comfortable, sound, balanced and moving correctly and if not, why not.

Be precise and be exact, trim with care and knowledge, know exactly what you are doing and why.

In almost twenty years, I have never met a horse that can’t be barefoot and there are always boots, in almost every shape and size now.

Incorrect shoeing and trimming, can create huge imbalances in the horses body, balance and correct way of moving.

Shoes can also often hide a myriad of issues, they can be deceptive and often mask a much deeper problem, like lameness, tendon issues, body issues, joint issues and incorrect angle of the P3.

A horse might appear sound in shoes, remove the shoes and the horse can’t even weight-bear or they are hobbling lame.

I have seen it over and over again, a sound horse in shoes, often becomes a rehab horse, once the shoes are removed.

None of my horses, of all different breeds, at the ages of 25, 20, 19 and 8 have ever had shoes on and they’ve covered a lot of miles, over all types of terrain.

It is my thought, that if you are buying a horse, make sure you always ask to see the horse, with the shoes off.

It could save you a lot of heartache, issues and long term problems.

In my humble view.

A horse is not sound, if they are not sound barefoot.

Photos below show laminar wedge and frog, both shed naturally by the hoof.

Hooves are naturally so clever and amazing 💜🦄

30/08/2025

From founder to sounder and then ridden again.

A sound founder horse is always a joy to see and always about helping the horse to recover ♥️🐴

Founder is not the end, it’s just the beginning of the road to recovery and horses are always the easy side to hoof rehab.

Before the minor set back of a hoof abscess occurred, this horse was being ridden again comfortably in boots.

A little peek at the process.

There were a few things that needed to be addressed.

Trimming was made more comfortable, using a towel under the compromised hoof.

Nappies and duct tape were used initially, to help give a cushion and aid movement.

A Cloud boot with pad was then used.

Alongside fortnightly balanced trims, there were bloods, hay analysis, diet, correct regulation of food intake, x-rays and a liquid vitamins and mineral supplement, correctly formulated by nutrition consultants Trinity Consultants, their consultation is free, to help you and your horse find exactly the right balance of vitamins and minerals required, that also changed, as we progressed.
https://trinity-consultants.com/

Founder is the distortion of P3, coffin/pedal bone, damage to tissue, fibres etc within the hoof capsule.

X-rays shown in the video are five months apart.

There are many factors of a founder horse, that need to be taken into account and very careful consideration.

Once you find the cause of rotation, inflammation and imbalance, together with correct trim, balance, movement and diet, slowly you can help the horse to recover and go on to lead a perfectly happy, normal and comfortable ridden life again.

When I first met this horse he could not weight bear and he was a very over hungry horse.

The owner had been advised to turn him out on soft ground with grass and euthanasia.

Luckily for this horse, the owner felt that was incorrect information.

Initially this horse was overall obese, with excess fat pads everywhere, including above his eyes and around his sheath and bloods confirmed that his insulin levels were through the roof.

Insulin in horses is produced by the beta cells of the pancreatic islets.

This hormone helps regulate blood sugar levels, by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells for energy.

The Islets of Langerhans are clusters of cells in the pancreas that produce hormones, including insulin and glucagon, which are essential for regulating blood sugar levels.

They play a crucial role in the body's metabolism and overall endocrine function.

This process is crucial for maintaining energy balance and metabolic health.

Insulin regulates blood sugar and helps control blood glucose levels, by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells, where it can be used for energy or stored for later use.

A response to glucose is triggered by food intake.

When a horse eats, especially foods high in carbohydrates, the pancreas releases insulin, in response to increased blood glucose levels.

Understanding how insulin is produced and functions, is essential for managing conditions like equine metabolic syndrome, where insulin regulation is impaired.

Incorrect farriery and trim is not the only cause of P3 rotation.

If you are ever given any of the following advice, that I hear regularly, please seek alternative assistance:

Turn a laminitic out on soft ground and grass.

Your horse will never recover from founder, so euthanasia is the only option.

It’s only ponies that get laminitis.

Confine a horse to a stable.

Put one clog on a founder hoof, stating it’s a club foot, when the reality of the X-rays showed rotation. One clog on a horse is very posturally wrong, just to begin with.

Dig an abscess out.

All of the above will cause the horse more discomfort, pain, infection and even possible long term damage.

27/08/2025

Brilliant, on how the horses brain works, by neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Peters ♥️🐴

Equine Neuroscience in Action: Turning Science into a Stronger BondIn Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Stephen Peters, we move from theory to application ...

26/08/2025

Walking out with our horses, is really helpful for assisting natural hoof wear and great exercise too ♥️🦄
Nature really is beautiful and so good for the mind, body and soul 🦋🌸🐝

25/08/2025

Brilliant listening on the horses brain and nervous system, so much good sense ♥️🐴💡

What if true learning in horses isn’t about pressure? Discover how movement, dopamine & the nervous system shape better training.In this follow-up to my conv...