About Horse Hoof Help
Welcome to Horse Hoof Help, a platform dedicated to promoting the well-being of horses through holistic and specialised barefoot hoof care. Our mission is to provide horse owners with valuable resources, educational courses, and expert guidance on maintaining healthy hooves for their equine companions.
Olivia's Approach
With over a decade of hands-on experience in the equine industry, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to horse owners and equestrian professionals. As a qualified Equine Podiatrist (LANTRA LEVEL 5) and Equine Sports Massage Therapist, with a BSc(Hons) in Equine Psychology and Sports Science and an Equine Sports Massage qualification from The College of Animal Physiotherapy, I specialise in holistic horse care, including barefoot hoof care, rehabilitation, and optimising equine performance. My approach is rooted in understanding horse behavior, particularly around leg handling, and conducting detailed assessments of foot fall, gait, and posture to support tailored, evidence-based care. In addition to my professional work, I am a director and council member of The EPA UK, advocating for responsible hoof care practices across the UK. Whether I’m mentoring aspiring equestrian professionals, collaborating with physiotherapists, or educating horse owners, my mission is to foster healthier, happier equines and empower those who care for them.
The Horse That Inspires Me
I want you all to meet 'Finding Nemo' my Welsh Sec D gelding. He has been my greatest teacher (and I've had some brilliant mentors over the years!)
I've been fortunate enough to own Nemo since he was 16 months old, at the time of writing he is 13 years of age.
He has faced many physical challenges over the years, including: Sarcoids, Kissing Spines and more recently Impaction Colic (which required surgery).
He's been the horse that has stopped and started more times than I care to count! Never really making it as the event horse I aspired for him to be. But this has been such a blessing in disguise; as he has sent me down a path that fully regards the horse as a sentient being. These constant setbacks, have opened my world up to greater possibilities; as I've had to seek further knowledge via research, exploration and bettering myself as an individual horse woman. This includes topics in equine behaviour, posture, anatomy, nutrition, environment (favouring track/equicentral systems). Differing training methods and ethical tack and ways of using training aids (or rather, choosing not to!)
I truly feel that all his quirks have enabled me to treat all horses with empathy and understanding; which I reckon is my super power! Nemo has made me drop all of my ego, and my own selfish wants and desires. I've traded this in for acceptance and unconditional love which filters through to my clients and their beautiful hoofed companions.
Equine podiatry and natural horse keeping has become my life's work, to grant the horse the autonomy over their own bodies again is the most rewarding part of my job.
The Rest of the Crew!
We also can't forget my rescue pony 'Apollo' who I rehomed from The Next Chapter in 2023. He currently stands at almost 12.3hh, he's a little pocket rocket with a character to match. He loves a fuss, and I'm hoping to enjoy pootling down the countryside by cart with him in a few years time (once he's matured, he's only 4!)
I also have my faithful working cocker spaniel 'Skye' who is 11 months old at the time of writing. She is bouncy fun, incredibly intelligent and has her owner well trained! When she isn't ruling the roost, we go out enjoying scent work and other gundog activities.
In Loving Memory of Rory (Britannic)
Sadly in 2023 my beloved Rory crossed the rainbow bridge. He was a 9 year old former racehorse. He was a successful racehorse with many placings within the top 3. However, this isn't the legacy Rory left behind - as the world of racing had taken it's toll on my beautiful boy. It left him emaciated, riddled in arthritis and behavioural stereotypies that were typical of a horse that was experiencing chronic stress. I'd only had him a year, and I feel my time with him was over far too soon. My only comfort is knowing in that year, he was able to just be a horse and to experience what true love was, to have friends, freedom and as you can see from this photo plentiful forage! The love I had (and still have) for this horse overspills into my daily actions. He is my reminder that we need to push for better welfare for all horses.
