Nic Howell farrier in Perth, Western Australia | Pet service

Nic Howell farrier

Locality: Perth, Western Australia

Phone: +61 407 643 339

Address: Lower chittering 6084 Perth, WA, Australia

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24.01.2022 2019 RANDLAB GASTROSCOPE DAY - All Proceeds donated to Animal Aid Abroad Cost : $100 per horse (Incl sedation and gastroscope exam) Location : Bullsbrook, Weste...rn Australia If your horse is displaying any of the following signs, they may be suffering from ulcers : - Sour disposition - "Girthy-ness" - Still eating but losing condition or weight - Avoiding hard feed and preferring hay - Poor appetite - Unsettled in training or unwilling to work - Grinding teeth - Crib-biting, wind-sucking - Bad coat - Intermittent Colic - Poor performance Gastroscopy is the only way to diagnose ulcers. Your $100 also gives you a 1-on-1 session where we will discuss : - the latest advances in gastric ulcer research and how treatment recommendations have changed from as little as 2yrs ago. - why conventional ulcer treatment might work on some horses and not others - what management practices might put your horse at a greater risk of developing ulcers - how to manage a horse with ulcers and prevent their recurrence Contact us today either via messenger or on 0427 072 095 for more details. Limited places available.

23.01.2022 Great Client Award!! This mare is an exceptional athlete: she practices everything from "airs above the ground" to headstands. And she really doesnt have a ca...re in the world about stepping on her own feet. So... the bottom boot touches the ground, and the upper boot holds it in place and takes the abuse.

23.01.2022 Merry Christmas everyone, have a relaxing day.

22.01.2022 Leigh Pines is teaming up with Avon Ridge Equine Veterinary Services to provide a Gastroscopy and Sand X-ray day This (excellent) offer is open to anyone... NOR that has been considering examination / diagnosis of Gastric Ulcers & sand burden of their horse Wednesday 19th August from 9am Limited numbers Call Tania on 0427 072 095 to book your place

21.01.2022 Simple and effective, made at the horse

20.01.2022 Get to know your horse and you will pick up the early signs

20.01.2022 Introducing poppy to the team, she will be accompanying me at jobs full time. #farrierdog #notjustdentists #companyinthecar

20.01.2022 Really loving the new trailer and how its set up Thank you Kim Broad and Nev Parker for your help.

19.01.2022 When everyone is on the same page working together for a common goal. https://www.americanfarriers.com//8065-want-better-vet-far

19.01.2022 When farriers groom their horse....

18.01.2022 Fantastic company to deal with

18.01.2022 10-DAY SALE ON NOW https://avonridgeequine.com.au/shop/ Postage available Australia wide

17.01.2022 Have been dealing with a few cases of wld recently

15.01.2022 A very well written article about a topic that needs to be taken more seriously

13.01.2022 It’s a hard life being poppy

13.01.2022 Had a very serious/interesting case recently with a nail in the foot of a clients horse. Penetrating injuries to the foot can be potentially life-threatening to the horse. Whilst it may go against common sense, its EXTREMELY important NOT to remove the penetrating object until AFTER X-rays have been taken. ... Avon Ridge Equine was called immediately to perform the X-rays on farm using their mobile machine. X-rays are very important to assess the direction and distance of the penetration as well as what structures within the foot might be affected. In this case, once the nail was removed (after the X-rays), the soft horn of the frog collapsed in the defect almost immediately, making the penetrating tract virtually indistinguishable. Once nail was removed, the foot was then cleaned thoroughly, the tract flushed and poulticed and I applied a hospital plate shoe to keep the foot clean and protected while it healed. The horse was also placed on a short course of antibiotics. Its important to make sure your horse is also up to date with their tetanus vaccination. Its a combined effort when it comes to your horses health between owner, vet, farrier and any other specialists, without a team effort its very hard to get the desired outcome. https://www.facebook.com/avonridgeequinevet/

12.01.2022 Love the Kevin bacon hoof dressing. #farrierfirst_f1

12.01.2022 Please keep an eye out

11.01.2022 Absolutely amazing work by a fantastic craftsman

10.01.2022 Thank you Allison, pleasure to work with you

10.01.2022 All the fun and games with poppy puppy

10.01.2022 Its a hard life being poppy

09.01.2022 I’ve had a very interesting case of white line disease causing medial lateral imbalance of the coffin bone and consequently causing a lameness in the foot for the horse. Due to a number of reasons I felt FormaHoof would be the best option for this horses road to recovery. Here is the first application. FormaHoof

09.01.2022 Ive had a very interesting case of white line disease causing medial lateral imbalance of the coffin bone and consequently causing a lameness in the foot for the horse. Due to a number of reasons I felt FormaHoof would be the best option for this horses road to recovery. Here is the first application. FormaHoof

09.01.2022 Some quick handmade shoes for our 30 year old tb at home

09.01.2022 Lameness Examination of the Horse Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice Lameness is an abnormal stance or gait. It can be caused by... pain, a mechanical problem, or a neurological condition. Lameness, most commonly results from pain in the musculoskeletal system (muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, or joints) leading to abnormal movement at the walk, trot, or canter. Lameness is common in equines, resulting in horses that cannot be used for a time, or maybe never again. Some types of lameness may even result in euthanasia. Most people think of lameness as when the horse is obviously limping, but there may only be subtle changes in gait or willingness to perform. Horses may be asked to perform while in pain due to lack of recognition by owners or trainers. A basic understanding of lameness will help you work with a veterinarian in several important ways. Purchase of horses that are not currently lame and have good conformation. Recognizing conformation defects and managing or preventing problems Lameness may be the root cause of poor performance. Diagnosis and treatment early in the course of lameness. Lameness is the most common cause of loss of use in horses. It can be caused by trauma, congenital or acquired disorders, infection, metabolic disorders, or nervous and circulatory system disease. These include skin wounds, tissue damage/bruising, muscle pain, arthritis, tendon sheath and bursal inflammation, tendon and ligament injury, and orthopedic injury. Horses with poor conformation are more likely to suffer injuries to these structures. Lameness can range from being very mild (i.e. may not be easy to see but can be felt while riding the horse) to severe (the horse will not bear any weight on the leg). With more subtle lameness issues, a decrease in the horses performance or a change in their behavior or attitude may be noted, even when an obvious lameness cannot be seen or felt. Sometimes horses will point a limb more often than usual. Horses with chronic problems may develop compensatory gait abnormalities to deal with the primary problem. This may complicate the lameness evaluation and possibly its treatment. Therefore, it is important to have a lameness evaluated as soon as it is recognized. Lameness is not a disease per se but a clinical sign. It is a manifestation of pain, mechanical restrictions causing alteration of stance or gait, or neuromuscular disease. Pain is the most common cause of lameness in all horses. Mechanical lameness is caused by complete upward fixation of the patella, fibrotic myopathy of the semitendinosus muscle or of restrictions caused by annular ligaments, adhesions of tendons to each other or to bone, or severe fibrosis. When evaluating forelimb lameness, 80% of lameness comes from below the fetlock. Upper limb lameness is more common in young horses due to developmental orthopedic disease. In general forelimb lameness is easier to recognize than hind limb. The most consistent and easily recognized clinical signs of lameness are the head bob associated with forelimb lameness and the sacral rise of the hindlimb. Lameness should be evaluated from different angles to assess arc of foot flight, duration of protraction and retraction, and length of weight bearing. In many horses, the lameness will be accentuated when the horse is worked in a circle with the affected limb to the inside. Factors that predispose horses to lameness include physical immaturity, preexisting orthopedic disease (OCD, flexural and angular limb deformities), poor conformation, improper hoof balance or shoeing, repetitive stresses to bone, tendon, or ligament; hard, slippery, or rocky surfaces; and extreme athletic activity. Inciting factors in lameness include direct or indirect trauma, fatigue resulting in incoordination of muscles (which often occurs in racehorses at the end of races), inflammation, infection, and failure to recognize early disease before it creates significant pain. Lameness diagnosis begins with a good history and a detailed examination. Complex lameness issues are best dealt with in the hospital setting. The lameness examination begins by looking at the horse from a distance to evaluate conformation Closer examination to feel for swelling, heat, joint effusion of specific structures. Watching the horse walk and trot. This is done in hand and also via longe line. Sometimes watching the horse with a rider can help. Flexion of the various joints to elicit a pain response, if present. Hoof tester evaluation of the foot. This may identify a specific area in the foot. Nerve blocks, beginning at the lowest points. By knowing what structures are blocked, a specific area can be determined. If the horse is not sound after one block, then another can be performed, progressing up the limb until the lameness is improved or abolished. Sometimes a specific joint may be blocked to determine its contribution, or lack of, to the lameness. Diagnostic imaging such as radiographs and ultrasound. Other modalities may include nuclear scintigraphy or MRI. Each part of the examination is pieced together to form a conclusion and direct treatment. A properly performed examination requires a thorough knowledge of anatomy and a methodical approach. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Experienced. Dedicated. Focused on the horse.

09.01.2022 What a fit!!! VICTORY RX hind plate size 7, left side. Thanks to Kim Broad AWS AWCF from Goodlands Farrier School in Western Australia! Thats why Kim has been using VICTORYs for 20 years! Thank you Kim!!!!!

07.01.2022 See below for details ; Certificate 4 in Farriery to be delivered in Western Australia. Please RSVP to Tania 0417 916934 Or Enq to Kim Deans 0477 733070 Please share

07.01.2022 Treatment plans are based on the underlying cause and stage of the disease. Regardless of the cause of laminitis, first-aid usually includes : . Cryotherapy ...- standing horses in buckets of ice water to reduce inflammation in the feet (you vet will advice you if this a suitable option for your horse and the exact protocol). . Systemic anti-inflammatory medication tailored to the needs of your horse. . Padding of the feet with high density foam cut to specific requirements to ensure pressure distribution is ideal. . Restriction of high NSC feeds and implementation of low sugar diet. This is NO turnout on lush, rapidly growing pasture (ie. spring). . Confinement and/or box rest in deep sand bedding. . Corrective trimming/shoeing every 2-4 weeks. . 90% of laminitis cases are caused by an underlying endocrine condition such as PPID and/or EMS. These two conditions can be diagnosed by a simple blood test. . If laminitis is suspected contact us on 0427 072 095 to assess the horse immediately. See more

06.01.2022 We saw a recent spike in laminitis cases last week. . Spring is most definitely here and its important that horse owners recognise the early signs of lami...nitis. . Remember, laminitis can be a life-threatening condition. . Dont administer bute unless advised to do so by a veterinarian. . Confine your horse to a small, deep-sand yard at the first sign of laminitis. Restrict all access to grass. Ice the feet. . Call us immediately - 0427 072 095. See more

06.01.2022 The safest time of day to graze horses and ponies at risk for laminitis is the early hours of the morning (between 5am-10am), when the sugar content of plants... are at their lowest. . BUT, there is an exception - . During very cold nights and frosts, the grasses are stressed and they do not utilize their stored sugar for growth. Following a frost, the sugar content of grasses can be very high and you should avoid grazing these pastures. . Grass uses sunlight to create sugar through the process of photosynthesis. . The sugar is then utilized overnight to allow the plant to grow. As a result, the sugar stores are gradually depleted during the night. . To learn more about laminitis check out our Laminitis Factsheet : https://avonridgeequine.com.au/laminitis/ . avonridgeequine.com.au / 0427 072 095 . #laminitis #horses #ponies #horseadvice #horsetips #equinevet #equinepodiatry #farrier #clienteducation See more

06.01.2022 Always a big few days up in Kalbarri

04.01.2022 Structures of the Equine Foot Bulbs of the heel--These structures are at the back part of the ground surface of the foot, behind the angle of the hoof wall. Int...ernally, they receive support from the digital palmar (front feet) or plantar (hind feet) cushion. Frog--This is a triangular or wedge-shaped structure with the apex pointing toward the front or toe of the hoof. Two grooves, one on each side of this structure, are known as the collateral or frog sulci. The central ridge is named the frog stay or spine of the frog and contains a furrow called the central sulcus or the cleft. Bars--Near the heel, the wall of the hoof turns back toward the front portion. This continuation forms a ridge bordering the collateral sulci on both sides of the frog; these ridges are known as the bars. Wall--This structure surrounds the foot and all inner parts. It is tough, fibrous, and somewhat elastic in nature and continually grows downward from the coronet. It is divided into three general areas--toe, quarter, and heel. Sole--The sole makes up a major portion of the surface area of the bottom of the hoof, but it is not designed to be the animal's primary weight-bearing structure. It provides support for the inner structures. White line--This boundary serves as a junction between the wall and the sole and is clearly visible around the front three-fourths of the circumference of the sole in a freshly trimmed foot. Third phalanx (P3)--It is also called the distal phalanx, os pedis, pedal bone, and coffin bone. It is the most distal (farthest out from the body) of the four bones comprising the digit (equivalent to man's finger or toe) and is completely enclosed by the hoof. Interaction between this bone and the surrounding hoof structures serves as a shock absorber for the horse in motion. Second phalanx (P2)--This bone is also called the middle phalanx, os phalanx, and the short pastern bone. It rests on the third phalanx and articulates with it and the first phalanx, which is above P2. Distal sesamoid--This structure is often called the navicular bone or shuttle bone and is located on the back surface of both the second and third phalanx. It is an integral part of the shock absorbing mechanism, along with its ligamentous attachments. First phalanx (P1)--This bone is also called the os compendale, os saffragenous, and long pastern bone. The first phalanx is the longest bone of the digit. It rests on the second phalanx and also articulates with the third metacarpal (in the foreleg) or metatarsal (in the hind leg), also called the cannon bone. It is closely attached to the paired proximal sesamoids by strong ligaments. Corium or pododerm--This part of the foot can be divided into five parts, but for discussion purposes, but is often considered a general term ;it functions as a nutritional source to the hoof. Within this structure lies a massive supply of blood vessels that feed the hoof. These blood vessels--combined with nerves--form a sensitive layer intimately attached to the inside of the hoof wall and the third phalanx. Digital (palmar or plantar) cushion--This is a wedge-shaped, modified subcutaneous tissue located within the back part of the hoof and composed of elastic fibers and some cartilage. As the name implies, it reduces concussion to the foot and puts pressure on blood vessels with weight bearing, which helps pump blood out of the foot. Tendon of the common digital extensor muscle--It is considered in this discussion, the authors say, because of its insertion onto a process (protrusion) of the third phalanx and on the anterior (front) surfaces of the second and third phalanges. Its action is to extend the digit. Deep flexor tendon--This is an extension of the muscle lying on the back part of the leg and which inserts on the posterior aspect of the third phalanx. It flexes the digit. Superficial flexor tendon--This structure runs parallel to the deep flexor tendon and splits below the fetlock to insert on both the first and second phalanges. It also flexes the digit, but not the coffin joint (between P2 and P3). Common Questions and Answers Hood, his colleagues involved with the Hoof Project, and other foot care professionals put forth frequently asked questions on equine feet for which they have given answers, and the logic behind the answers: Q: Are white hooves weaker than dark hooves? A: No. This is a statement that has been around for quite some time and is still commonly believed by many. Several studies have critically examined the question and all have produced the same results. There is no difference in strength or elasticity between white and dark hooves. It is likely that the impression that white feet are weaker came about because it is much easier to see defects--such as wall bruising and small cracks--in them than in dark hooves. Q: Which is better, barefoot or shod? A: There is no accurate answer to that question. To shoe or not to shoe a horse depends on many factors. The intended use of the horse, the previous shoeing history, the potential for problems in the feet, and the availability of a qualified farrier all impact the appropriate answer to this question. Because of the number of variables, it is necessary to answer the question for each horse as an individual rather than an absolute statement that applies to all horses. One important part of this question is the ability of the foot--both internally and externally--to adapt to its environment. The foot of a horse that has never been shod and the foot of a horse that has always been shod will be different, as each has structurally adapted to the non-shod or shod state. It is for this reason that the occurrence of lameness is not uncommon when horses are shod for the first time as well as when those that have always worn shoes are left unshod. Q: What causes white line disease? A: The first theory as to the underlying cause of white line disease is that it is due to a fungus that invades and destroys the non-pigmented regions of the inner hoof wall. It is usually assumed the route of entry is the foot's solar surface. The second most popular theory is that fungi (or bacteria) are present, but that some other insult, such as trauma, is required before they can invade and damage the hoof wall. A third school of thought is that white line disease is a consequence or form of chronic laminitis. More recently, it has been proposed that white line disease is a metabolic disease in which the cells of the wall's inner layers of the hoof are prematurely aging. Q: What causes a frog to fall off? A: Most frogs have the tendency to shed or come off periodically. This can occur so that it looks like the entire frog is being lost at one time. The frog of the horse's foot--like the hoof wall, sole, bulbs, and periople--are composed of highly modified skin. Compared to soft skin, these hoof structures are biochemically unique in that the individual cells that make them up are cemented together so that loss of individual cells occurs rarely or very slowly. This allows the hoof components to grow outward or downward until it is either cut away by the farrier or worn away by contact with the ground. Some frogs have a tendency to shed or come off periodically. When this happens, it is only the outer layers that are shed so that there is ample frog left with the foot. This appears to be a normal way for the frog to control its thickness. Q: What causes the white, flaky appearance sometimes seen on the upper part of the hoof wall (coronary band)? A: The outer-most layer of the hoof wall is technically known as the stratum externum and is often called hoof varnish. Like the rest of the hoof wall, it is produced at the coronary band and grows down the wall. Except for its thinness, it is similar in structure to the rest of the hoof wall, but biochemical differences do exist between this outer layer and the rest of the hoof wall. When this layer gets thicker than normal, it wears away. As it dries out, it tends to turn white and flake off. By itself, the condition poses little problem to the horse, but its cause should always be investigated. Q: What's normal hoof size? A: This one is answered by Doug Butler, PhD, American Farrier's Association Certified Journeyman Farrier, Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers, who has written books on equine feet and hoof care and has been quoted in this magazine and others in the past. A hoof that is proportional to the horse's body size, he has declared, allows for the ideal distribution of body weight over the foot's laminar surface. When the foot is proportional to body size, he explains, it prevents over-compression of the sensitive and bony structures and allows the hoof to expand normally during movement. Hoof size, he says, is influenced both by heredity, management, and nutrition. Horses fed an optimum diet, he avers, have an 80% increase in hoof-sole-border area size compared to those fed a limited diet. Q: What influences a hoof's growth rate? A: Butler says first that the rapidly growing hoof is often the healthier one, and that young horses have a higher hoof growth rate than older horses. Warm temperatures produce a higher hoof growth rate than cold temperatures. Exercise can increase growth rate, and front hooves generally grow faster than rear hooves. Generally speaking, the average rate of growth is about three-eighths of an inch or one centimeter per month. Growth rate can also be affected by hoof trauma and injury. Vitamin A is essential for proper hoof growth and health. Also essential is moisture, although an excessive amount of moisture in the hoof can be unhealthy. Take-Home Message In summary, it is obvious that ongoing hoof care is essential in maintaining good feet in our horses. It also is obvious that not all feet are created the same and that foot care should be carried out on an individual basis, based on each individual's normal foot conformation and anatomy. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Your horse's health is always our top priority.

03.01.2022 **Important Information** Hi everyone, Im not going to post about what you already know because we are all getting information updates regularly. All Im asking is that of you feel unwell or obviously been away recently please just tell me, let me make the best decision given the information I have. I am aiming to continue working for as long as possible but I can only do this if everyone takes this seriously. So that being said please just one person with the horse so we can keep the appropriate distance, if possible have the gate open to minimise touching of communal metal surfaces, these are just a few things I can think of to help out. I hope everyone is happy and safe and enjoying their horses.

02.01.2022 Seriously read about the oil drenching and make the right decision for you horse

02.01.2022 Hi everyone, I will be unavailable from the 14th of August to the 23rd August. Thank youHi everyone, I will be unavailable from the 14th of August to the 23rd August. Thank you

01.01.2022 Fantastic to have someone that has your horses best interests at heart but is always on the hunt for more knowledge and better practices and is completely mobile.

01.01.2022 Just a few feet from the week.