Three years ago I was given a retired racehorse of great class and form on the flat and over fences. The retraining was easy with him as he always tried to please, was quick to learn and fun for work with. I entered the ROR workers series (Retraining of Racehorses). We qualified and were placed at the championships at Addington. I hunted him a little, did some dressage including medium. I did think when I first got him that his feet didn't fit his body and he was a little footy on stones, however what he had done in life and with me he always seemed to cope.

The second spring we prepared and entered ROR again. Not only would he not jump, he hung to the collecting ring; not at all him, he was not lame but not quite rite. Shortly after that day we had swelling in one front leg so went to the vet for a scan which showed the superficial flexor tendon to be inflamed. The vet said the feet were to blame, get them sorted. Remember, this horse had run many times and played with me and never had a leg injury!

Never too old to learn - No Foot no Horse - Natural Balance Farriery Article

I had known Clive for some time, but until then had never used him, after all I had always got away with it and was probably too blind and tight! So I went to him cap in hand. Clive spent plenty of time trying to explain to my husband and myself the state of this wonderful horses' feet. I was feeling guilty as this was obviously a man-made problem and I was to blame. However, you pay your money and trust all is well but the trust is if a job is worth doing it's worth doing well. He had long toes, collapsed heels resulting in reduced blood supply to his feet. I was obsessed with front feet but Clive showed us the angle of the hinds, which was obvious once pointed out, resulting in his quarters being unable to power a correct stride depth as his toes were long and frog pressure was not employed.

We agreed to a radical change and what a result!, His feet were trimmed and had some special pads on the fronts to increase from pressure and support the heels and encourage growth. He had these for two sets of shoes. The hind feet nearly came right over night. He was very sore after the first set, but soon came sound and his whole demeanour towards work has changed - he is relaxed and happy. I am convinced this is due to correct fitting of shoes and his feet being in balance now, hence the term Natural Balance shoes. This way to describe this is imagine trying to run down the road with a large pair of flippers on. You would have to lift your feet higher to allow the length of toes and hence strike the ground hard. Your breakover point of your stride would be very short and the concussion on your heel, ankle, soft tissue and ligaments immense.

 Never too old to learn - No Foot No Horse - Natural Balance Farrier Clive Meers Ranger - Kent

We were confident that his feet no longer hurt him, but to make sure I took him showjumping and cross-country schooling on rock hard ground. He jumped really well, was happy to do so and very sound the next day. So we entered in another ROR this last August. He went fantastically - jumped well and showed the judges his soft and deep stride that he has got back. We are now qualified for Windsor next year. It's taken eighteen months in all, but I have a simply wonderful horse to ride and enjoy. I should add this horse has run thirty-seven times and won a fair amount of money and had never been lame.

If you have a horse in trouble and you are told that he's just that sort of mover, he has TB flat feet, he is not a hard ground horse, he needs scans, x-rays, 2 months box rest, he need additives or he needs retiring; NO, NO, NO - get the feet looked at. Obviously there are many injuries and accidents that do need the above, but if not sure think feet. Just take your horse and let Clive look. Horses cost a lot of money anyway so just try with someone who really takes time and is working for the good of the horse. I was not asked to write this but wanted to as the job it has given me to have this tough horse out of pain is wonderful and I am very grateful for all Clive's' hard work.