Alba Equine Podiatry

02/10/2026

Important update regarding Travel Rates 🚗💨
As you know, covering the distances between clients here in the Highlands is a big part of how I work. Over the past few years, operating costs have increased significantly across our region 😬 and in the past year average diesel prices ⛽ in the Highlands have leapt by approx 43%
To ensure I can continue delivering the service you expect, I've had to make a small adjustment to my pricing. As always, exact pricing depends on the number of horses and travel distance, so if we haven't already discussed it at your last trim I'll be in touch with you over the next few days...
I truly appreciate your understanding, loyalty, and ongoing support as I navigate these rising costs. If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to drop me a message! 😊🐴

10/09/2026

I've spoken to a few people recently about testing for PPID and the Care about Cushings voucher scheme 😊🐴

🍂 Autumn is cushings testing season! 🍂

Did you know that this time of year is one of the best times to test for Equine Cushing's Disease (PPID; Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction)? This is a condition that generally can start to affect horses and ponies from early teens onwards.

The good news is that the Care About Cushings® Voucher Scheme from Boehringer is now open until 31 October 2026, covering the lab fee for measuring blood ACTH levels, which is the best initial screening test for the disease. *Visit and sampling fees still apply.

🐴 One free test per horse each year.
💊 One free dose-check test 4 to 6 weeks after starting treatment.

If your horse or pony is getting older, has a history of laminitis, is slow to shed their coat, or just isn't quite themselves, now is a great time to speak to us about testing.

Phone us on 0141 330 5999 to discuss testing with one of our vets.

12/05/2026

A quick message to all clients 🐴

There’s currently a suspected case of strangles in the area, so I just wanted to ask everyone to please keep me informed if your horse may have been exposed or is showing any symptoms before I visit.

A huge thank you to the client who contacted me promptly about a possible exposure — being open and proactive like that really helps protect everyone’s horses and allows me to take appropriate precautions.

I’ll be continuing to follow sensible biosecurity measures between visits, and I appreciate everyone working together to keep our horses safe and healthy 🐴❤️

06/04/2026

Sometimes it’s not just about the distance covered… it’s about the journey it took to get there. One of the horses I trimmed today was just back to the yard after a 31km ride. This ride may have been 31km, but what a journey it's been and an incredible milestone it represents 💛 When I first met this lovely pair, things looked very different. Benny was suffering with laminitis and was extremely lame. Fast forward to now, and seeing them out enjoying rides like this is nothing short of amazing. The dedication, patience, and commitment Jessica has shown to her horse’s recovery and wellbeing has truly paid off. It’s a privilege to be part of that journey 💛 Huge congratulations Jessica Smith – you should both be incredibly proud 👏 🥳
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1324660789526928
Unfortunately facebook isn't letting me share the original post...

01/02/2026

This webinar by Bonny Mealand should be well worth signing up for! 🐴😊
If you don't already follow her Learning Wild page it's definitely worth following 👍

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16aK8v8XRb/

Do you have the feeling that horses are communicating more than many of us realise?

Are you ready to start understanding and responding to that communication?

Join me for a LIVE webinar, with time for reflection and Q&A when I will share what I have learned about how to meet horses, rather than ask them to meet us.

Tuesday 3rd February at 7pm, sign up at https://touching-wild-academy.circle.so/c/public-webinars/ethology-horse-in-context

06/01/2026

I've had to reschedule some of my routes due to the snowy roads and icy working spaces at some fields/yards ☃️ I'll be in touch with appointment dates asap for everyone who doesn't already have a date ❄️ Stay safe ☃️🦄

30/12/2025

I was busy outdoors today and contemplating on the past year. I look back on a lot of good things, great people and great horses. Many blessings and a lot to be thankful for. I love my job and I have the BEST clients 😇
I'm really excited to be part of the EP training journey for two students. Em and José are both trimming their own horses as well as working on case studies. They're both going to be brilliant EPs and 2026 will be an exciting year for both of them. The EP team in Scotland is growing 💪 and we have fab colleagues throughout the UK 🤩
Outside of my EP work, 2025 was a very difficult and challenging year. I spent a huge amount of time and effort trying to hold together a lot of people and pick up a lot of broken pieces. The additional workload and stress certainly took its toll on me 🤯 I want to say a huge thank you to all my clients for your patience this year 🙏 I am so very grateful to each of you for having me as part of your horse-care team. Thank you to anyone who fitted in appointments at short notice, or who had to rearrange appointments when I was caught up in other responsibilities. 2026 should be much more 'normal' 🤞
As far as my own horses go, I lost my beautiful mare Breagh 🐴💔🌈 in May and the lovely Willow is now away living her best life as a wee riding pony🦄 Flicka arrived in the summer to be Jack's new fieldmate. She's a BashkirX and I'm loving seeing her curly coat coping with the winter weather.
Thanks again for your support 🙏 I'm blessed to have the best clients anyone could wish for. See you in 2026 😊🐴 xx

24/12/2025

Wishing all my clients and horsey friends a very happy Christmas 🎅🎄xx

30/11/2025

Hoof geekery 🤩🐎 I had the wonderful privilege of spending the weekend with other hoof geeks 🤩 All the Scottish EPs got together with some of the EP students as well as three vets to study hooves, discuss cases, dissect cadavers and talk... and talk and talk.... Dissections are always fascinating and it was especially valuable that we had radiographs available too. To be able to assess what's visible and palpable on the outside, compare with what can be seen on radiographs, then actually open the specimens and see what's going on internally is a phenomenal learning experience. In their lifetime horses teach us so much, and when we can learn so much from them after their lifetime too that's especially humbling 🌈🐴

12/08/2025

Chronic Progressive Lymphedema (CPL) in horses isn't something that can be ignored. Clipping the legs is a really important part of managing the condition. The CPL page shares lots of helpful advice - well worth following 🐴