Arrow Heart Equine Services

After sharing so much of Bingo’s journey with you all over the past few months, I think it’s only fitting that I share the next chapter too. ❤️

Yesterday Bingo headed off to his new home.

Deciding to move Bingo on wasn’t necessarily an easy decision, especially after putting so much time, work and energy into bringing him along. But sometimes you have to recognise when the right opportunity comes along and trust that a horse’s next chapter is going to be a good one.

And I honestly couldn’t be happier with where Bingo has ended up.

His new owners purchased Rocky from me last year, and it has been so rewarding watching them progress together. Rocky is doing incredibly well with them, and knowing how much they have put into him gave me a huge amount of confidence that Bingo was going to the right people.

Even better, this isn't really goodbye.

They’ll be continuing their lessons with me, so I’ll still get to be a part of Bingo’s journey and watch him develop with his new person. I think that makes this transition a whole lot easier.

Bingo has taught me a lot over the time I’ve had him, and I’m really proud of the horse he has become. I’m also really proud of the work we’ve done together and everything he has achieved along the way.

So, after all the updates, training sessions, little wins and adventures I’ve shared with you, this is where his story with Arrow Heart changes direction.

He’s off to start his next chapter — and I’m really excited to see where it takes him. ❤️

Good luck, Bingo. I think you’ve landed exactly where you’re meant to be.

I've been a little quiet on here lately, but definitely not quiet behind the scenes! 🐴❤️

This week has been a pretty big one for Arrow Heart Equine Services — I've trimmed around 50 horses, as well as fitting in a couple of massages, lessons and working with several client horses throughout the week as well as my own.

It's probably my biggest week in business yet, and I'm feeling very proud of how far Arrow Heart has come.

A huge thank you to all of my clients, both old and new, who continue to support my business and trust me with your horses. So much of my work comes through word of mouth and returning clients, and I genuinely appreciate every one of you. ❤️

Now to give the back a chance to recover before doing it all again next week 😂🐴

Are you struggling with hoof wall separation and seedy toe? Try our copper sulphate mix treatment! Its a potent remedy for bacterial and fungal infections of the hoof and has proven results.

We also still have The Equid Apothocary products in stock this winter which work great for thrush and have recently discovered the sun powder doubles as an excellent mud fever treatment aswell as a great sun block.

Bingo has now had another three rides and continues to impress us with his calm attitude and willingness to learn. He's taking everything in his stride and building a fantastic foundation for the future.
At this stage, I've decided to give him a well-earned break for the next few weeks, possibly up to a month. With client horses being the current priority, it's also the perfect opportunity to allow Bingo some extra time to mature and develop both physically and mentally. Giving young horses time to process their education and continue growing is an important part of setting them up for long-term success.
For now, he's enjoying some downtime in the paddock with his big brother, Hawk, and the two are getting along brilliantly. We look forward to picking his training back up when the time is right and giving him a few weeks of consistency to finish his fundamental training under saddle.

This morning I collected the two youngest members of the team, Bingo and Fudge, from their agistment paddock for some handling, health checks, and a little extra TLC.
It was fantastic to see how much Bingo has developed after just over a month of turnout—he has really filled out and is looking fantastic. Fudge is still carrying good condition but seems to have reached a bit of a plateau in her growth. I've decided to bite the bullet and start rugging her to help reduce the energy she uses to stay warm, allowing more of that energy to support growth🤞.

This afternoon we attended the Tasmanian Reining Horse Association AGM and awards presentation, where Hawk was awarded High Point Modified Ranch Champion. I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved together over the past year. He's been an absolute pleasure to train and compete, and it's rewarding to see our hard work pay off.
We also had the pleasure of seeing Julia McDougall receive an award with her lovely horse, Chip, who we had the privilege of starting under saddle earlier this year. Congratulations, Julia and Chip!
A huge thank you to everyone on the committee at the Tasmanian Reining Horse Association for the time and effort you put into creating such a welcoming, supportive, and well-run club. Your dedication doesn't go unnoticed. I highly recommend the club days and shows to anyone looking to improve their riding and horsemanship in a fun, encouraging environment, regardless of experience level.

To finish the day, I spent some time working horses, including this lovely young Gypsy Cob c**t, who is currently available through Pepperberry Gypsy Cobs.

Days like these are a great reminder of why I'm so passionate about helping horses develop—from youngstock right through to performance horses.

Fudge and Bingo enjoying a nice winter turnout.
Both made excellent progress in their training, now it's time for them to rest and grow.
Looking forward to them returning to work in Spring.

Equine thrush
What is it?

Equine thrush is a bacterial and fungal infection that affects the frog of the hoof. It often presents as a black, foul-smelling discharge, as shown in Picture 1. However, it can also appear as a soft, mushy degeneration of the frog, as seen in Picture 2.

Thrush can also affect the central sulcus (the groove running down the middle of the frog), as shown in Picture 3. This is commonly referred to as deep thrush.

While thrush may seem like a minor issue at first, if left untreated it can pe*****te deeper into the hoof and reach the sensitive corium, leading to more serious infection and significant discomfort for the horse. Deep thrush, in particular, can be very painful, which is why early intervention—and even better, prevention—is so important.

What causes thrush?

Thrush is most commonly seen in horses living in wet, muddy, or unhygienic conditions where bacteria and fungi thrive. While thrush itself is not contagious, it is often found in multiple horses living in the same environment.

So, especially here in Tassie, how can we prevent it?

✔️ Keep paddocks, yards, and shelters as clean as possible and remove manure regularly.

✔️ Pick out hooves daily. Thrush-causing organisms dislike oxygen, so exposing the frog to fresh air regularly can make a big difference.

✔️ Provide areas of varied terrain such as gravel, rock, or shavings where horses can stand out of the mud.

✔️ Consider incorporating a daily hoof cleansing product into your routine. (Personally I am currently using diluted iodine in a spray bottle).

Treatment Options

There are many treatment options available for thrush and many great products available on the market. We stock an all-natural clay-based product called EquiMud, which helps draw out moisture while providing antibacterial properties. It is also available in a fibre form, EquiFibre, which can be packed into the central sulcus and other cavities to help keep the product in contact with the affected area for longer.

Hoof soaks can also be beneficial and some persistent cases may benefit from a poultice, hoof boots or other forms of hoof cover to hold product in and keep it clean and dry. Over the years I've heard of lots of home remedies being used for thrush—apple cider vinegar, iodine, bleach, formalin, and many others. Some people also use copper sulphate; however, I personally prefer not to, as I find it can be quite harsh on the softer tissues of the frog.

Having your hoof care provider carefully remove loose, dead flaps of frog can also be helpful, as it removes infected tissue, increases oxygen exposure, and allows treatment products to pe*****te deeper into the affected areas.

As always, if you're unsure whether you're dealing with thrush or another hoof issue, don't hesitate to reach out to your hoof care professional for advice.

What products or management strategies have worked best for you? 👇

Laminitis or Founder
“What is it?”

Put simply, laminitis means inflammation of the laminae within the hoof.

Each hoof contains roughly 600 laminae made up of two layers: the epidermal laminae (attached to the inside of the hoof wall) and the dermal laminae (attached to the pedal/coffin bone). These layers interlock like velcro and are responsible for suspending the pedal bone securely within the hoof capsule.

When laminitis occurs, these laminae weaken and begin to separate. In severe cases, the pedal bone can rotate or sink downward within the hoof. In the worst-case scenario, the pedal bone may pe*****te the sole, exposing the corium and bone itself — a catastrophic and potentially fatal outcome.

Laminitis is one of the leading causes of euthanasia in horses. However, recognising the early warning signs and taking prompt management action can dramatically improve outcomes and may save your horse from this extremely painful condition.

“So how do we recognise it?”
Sub-clinical / Early Stage

In the early stages, signs can be subtle and are often easiest to identify in the hoof itself.

Common signs include:

-Stretching or widening of the white line, most obvious at the toe
-Blood staining within the white line
-Rings or ridges on the outer hoof wall indicating previous laminitic episodes
-A dished or curved appearance to the hoof wall
-Seedy toe or recurrent hoof abscesses caused by weakening of the white line

Acute Laminitis

Signs may include:

-Lameness or reluctance to walk
-Pain when turning
-Reluctance to stand or move
-Heat in the hooves
-A strong digital pulse, increased vitals, sweating
-Standing with the front feet stretched out in front and the hind legs camped underneath to relieve pressure — commonly referred to as the “founder stance”

Chronic Laminitis
In chronic cases, the pedal bone begins to lose its normal position within the hoof capsule.

You may notice:

-A visible “laminar wedge” in place of the normal white line
-Sole distortion or sole bulging
-Changes in hoof shape and growth patterns
-In severe cases, protrusion of the corium or pedal bone through the sole
-Severe lameness

“So what causes it?”

There is still some ongoing debate within the equine scientific community regarding laminitis, however most experts agree there are multiple causes and contributing factors.

Insulin Dysregulation (Most Common Cause)

The most common cause is insulin dysregulation, often associated with excessive or irregular sugar intake.

This is particularly common in horses with:

Equine Metabolic Syndrome and or Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (Cushings disease). However, laminitis can absolutely occur in otherwise healthy or even underweight horses as well.

Common triggers include:

-Sudden spikes in sugar levels of pasture
-Grain overload or overfeeding (beware of apples and bread a treat can be enough to trigger a horse or pony prone to Laminitis into an episode)
-High sugar in hay

Management Is Key

Good management plays a huge role in prevention and recovery.

Helpful strategies include:

-Strip grazing or using a track system to reduce pasture intake while encouraging movement or grazing muzzles
-Feeding hay in slow feeders
-Soaking hay for 20 minutes to 1 hour to reduce soluble sugars
-Smaller feeds more often as opposed to one large feed daily
-Maintaining regular exercise where appropriate
-Encouraging movement to stimulate healthy blood flow within the hoof movement and circulation are extremely important for maintaining healthy laminae. Hand walking, lunging, ponying or riding are great options.

Other Major Causes of Laminitis

Support Limb Laminitis
Support limb laminitis commonly occurs following injury to the opposite limb. Because the horse overloads the “good” leg for prolonged periods, reduced circulation and excessive loading can trigger laminar damage.

Sepsis-Related Laminitis
Sepsis-related laminitis occurs secondary to severe infection or systemic inflammation. This is commonly seen in mares with retained placentas, but can also follow serious illness, colic, or infection.

Laminitis is a medical emergency and should always be taken seriously. Early intervention from your veterinarian, hoof care provider, and appropriate management can significantly improve prognosis and comfort for the horse.

Recognising subtle hoof changes before severe pain develops can make all the difference.

Thanks for reading guys I hope this helps. We are committed to continual learning, for the horse. Helping owners and horses overcome challenges, if you need a hand with laminitis management, please feel free to reach out.

References:
https://vetsurgery.com.au/2024/12/18/equine-health-laminitis-equine-metabolic-syndrome-equine-cushings-disease-the-difference-and-how-we-manage-them/
https://balancedequine.com.au/grass-laminitis/
Equine Veterinarians Australia
Australian Hoof Trimmers

Hawk and I at the Do It For Dolly Ranch Sorting day 💙

A huge thank you to Susan Baker for all the hard work that went into organising such an amazing event. Over $3000 was raised on the day for the Do It For Dolly Foundation!

This charity is one that is very close to my heart personally. Bullying and mental health struggles are things I have faced throughout my life, and since starting this business, I’ve found a real sense of purpose. Every day, despite the challenges, I feel grateful to be exactly where I am — helping horses and their owners on their journeys while still discovering mine.

Because of that, I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to work full time doing what I love, and whenever possible I want to give back to the Tasmanian Equine community that has supported me so much.

Over the past year we’ve proudly sponsored:
• The Summer Run Jackpot Series – Tracy Swain Memorial
• The TASRHA Spectacular
• The Do It For Dolly Ranch Sorting
• Upcoming Nav Ride
• And two talented up-and-coming rodeo competitors, Danika Märshäll and Lane Viney

Thank you to everyone who supports my small business and allows me to continue supporting our community in return, I can't wait to get involved more next season 🤍