Thorsten Kaiser | EQUITANA Auckland 2019

Thorsten Kaiser, who moved to New Zealand from Germany in 1997, is one of the first Strasser Hoofcare Professionals (SHP) in New Zealand.

Thorsten started riding Endurance Riding in 1998 and in 2002 he transitioned his horses to Barefoot Hoofcare and Natural Boarding. After several 40km and 80km rides barefoot, one of his horses did his first 100km ride barefoot in 2003. This was also the year Thorsten founded the Institute for Barefoot Equine Management Ltd (IBEM).

IBEM view the world through the eyes of the horse, the approach is holistic and is based on what the horse needs to thrive, not necessarily what is most convenient for the human. IBEM operates a hoofcare practise and rehab centre, hoofcare training centre, and hoof-boot shop. Now a full time SHP and instructor, Thorsten gives seminars and instructs a 2-year Professional’s Course in New Zealand, which is based on logic, science, and proven management approaches. Thorsten also oversees the national Strasser Hoofcare Office for New Zealand.

Education Sessions

Understanding the difference between Laminitis and Founder

2.30pm - 3.15pm Friday, 22nd November | Classroom 1

When people get asked about the difference between these two conditions, often the answer is that they are the same thing. However, they aren't. This presentation is going to explore what Laminits and Founder mean to the horse and hoof, how they can be recognised, how they can be differentiated from each other, how they interrelate, how they can be treated, and most importantly, how they can be prevented. The presentation is going to show that Laminitis and Founder are not mysterious conditions they are often made out to be, but rather that they can be dealt with logically and systematically.

Boot Fitting Strategies - How to make Booting work for you!

9.30am - 10.15am Saturday, 23rd November | Classroom 2

In Saddle-Fitting, there are two main strategies to fit saddles: 1) fit to the existing horse's back, and 2) fit to where the horse's back is intended to develop towards and fit for that. In Boot-fitting, we find the same two strategies. This presentation is going to discuss the two approaches and weigh up their pro's and con's with each other. After the presentation, you will be able to make a more informed decision on which approach might be more suitable for your horse.