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Detailed report on groom Kellie’s first lesson in the Finnegan
techniques and equipment
Pictures by Nathan Smyth
1. Polly the pony , Groom Kelly Mcilwrath, Blacksmith Paddy Finnegan
In August I gave a training clinic at St Patrick Way Stables. Owners Leo and Sharon Madine had
recently bought their 6yr old Irish Sport horse FE. Charlie by NI dressage Champion Obalix SF and as
part of the deal I agreed to supply stands and training for their staff. They were very interested in
learning how to use our stands and tools to improve the hoof care of their ponies and horses.
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Kellie McIlwraith, the groom on duty that day, jumped at the opportunity to learn how to use the
Finnegan hoof stand, she brought out Polly, one of the ponies used at the centre.
Young customers of the centre were also interested to see how Kellie and the other grooms were
going to learn how to pick ponies feet out better by using the stand and our tools. From left to right
are Portia, Chloe and Ellen, all happy to check out Kellies work on Polly.
Starting with the near front foot I demonstrated to Kellie where best to place her own inside foot, in
relation to the pony or horse (A). Also where to place the stand to start with (B), and how the
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handler holds the near front leg cupped below their knee above their own calf (C). This helps the
horse’s leg and foot to be relaxed and should not need to be held by the handler’s hand, only by the
sideways pressure of the handler’s inside leg.
4. With the horse relaxed and balanced on its other 3 feet, the stand can then be gently slipped back
with one hand and the foot is lowered slowly into the cradle position with the other hand. Note that
always only one foot of the stand is placed between the handlers both feet. The inside lower and
front of handler’s knee keeps the hoof in the cradle position. The handlers inside foot/heel should be
flat on the ground at the distance shown away from the horses other front foot , this allows the
handler’s inside leg to be straight which lets the handler stand up straight now and then to greatly
ease any strain.
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5. Groom Kelly takes over with the cleaning out and inspection of the nearside front foot. She is seen
here in the correct position, her inside foot is flat on the ground a little outside where the lifted foot
would be on the ground before lifting . She is able to stand up straight with foot safe in the cradle
position. The pressure from her straight leg through the lower inside of her knee keeps the foot very
well in the cradle of the stand and her outside foot on the stand also helps in taking some of the
strain from her inside knee.
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6. Kelly used the hoof pick side of our safety loop knife to quickly scrape out the front foot well.
Looking for any trapped stones, any other harmful debris, any signs of thrush of any other damage
before oiling etc.
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7. Happy groom Kelly doing the ‘ simples’ Finnegan Technique pose .
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8. Paddy demonstrated the back leg lift and the use of very low farrier style holding position. This is
to allow a little time (3-5 secs) for the pony or horse to settle its balance before the handler gently
lowers the foot down into the cradle position. The handler asks the horse to relax down into the
cradle but does not insist, the handler gives time for the horse to understand and relax. When the
horse does relax and lets the cradle support the dead weight of its leg, the handlers inside leg can
then be straight again. The inside medalis muscle above the knee is used to press the pastern of the
animal to hold the foot into and onto the cradle of the stand. This is a lower position for the horse’s
foot than the normal ‘above the knee’ position used by most farriers when shoeing or trimming.
Ponies and horses of all sizes relax more the lower the foot is held. The longest working Farriers in
the old days were the small ones just over 5 foot. Some horses and ponies that have been shod for
some time will take time to relax down onto the stand for the first time. They soon realise and
accept the comfort of the lower position.
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10. Paddy showing Kelly the recommended position of the stand, her own foot position and her
lifting of the outside back leg.
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9. Groom Kelly takes over on the nearside back foot , here she is showing the correct position of her
feet, arms, inside leg, hands etc to quickly clean and inspect the foot and finish off with a weekly/
fort nightly rasp of the edges of the hoof. This regular light rub is proven to greatly improve the
strength and condition of all feet in between the farrier or trimmers visits every few months.
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Note how Kelly’s in side heel is flat to the ground on top of the front foot of the stand and just a
little outside where the lifted back foot would be if the horse was standing nice and square behind .
Her outside foot pushing down on the outside foot of the stand helps to take some strain from her
inside leg muscle and helps to keep the foot and stand in the best working position for both hands
free to work.
11. After a quick clean out and inspection Kelly radiuses the outside rough edges to help prevent
splits, cracks and flaring of the hoof walls.
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12 Kelly positions the stand and herself correctly for lifting the off side front foot .
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13. Kelly lifts and swings the offside front foot up between and below her knees with her inside foot
and leg slightly to the outside of where the front foot was on the ground and lifts the stand back
into the right position to lower the foot gently into the cradle position.
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14. Kelly standing up hands free , showing how the correct position of her inside foot and leg
holding the foot onto the stand assisted by her outside foot on the outside foot of the stand .
The inside knee and leg pushes out, the outside foot pushes down and the stand holds up. This is a
big part of the Finnegan Technique to empower grooms and owners to help them improve hoof
health and at the same time their own health and safety when looking after their animals.
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15. Kelly starts to clean out the off front hoof using the two hand hold of our safety loop knife and
hoof pick.
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16 The hoof pick helps Kellie to discover something unusual trapped below the shoe and pressing
into the inside sole of the hoof.
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17. Paddy takes over and discovers a 40mm long bit of bull wire trapped below the shoe between
the outside number 2 nail. Using pliers to turn and twist it out to the outside, he was able to get it
out from between the shoe and hoof wall without taking off the shoe. Luckily no lasting damage had
been done.
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18. Close up of the piece of bull wire on its way out.
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19. The nasty wire intruder was very well found by Kelly, the very first time she used our stand and
tools.
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20. St Patricks way owner Leo Madine uses the stand to pick out an offside back foot. Leo will be
fitting studs for competitive jumping on grass with FE Charlie. Our stand has been proven in Queens
University’s motion lab to reduce the strain when routine work by 70%.
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21. A very happy team and a very rewarding visit.
From the left, St Patricks way owner Leo Madine, FE Charlie, owner Sharon Madine. Groom Kelly
McIlwrath and instructor Lauren Young
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