American Farriers Journal
American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
Advertise Follow Us
Leverage Testing To Modify Shoes And Prevent Catastrophic Injury
Founder of EDSS explains why bigger feet aren’t always better with KrosschecK
Pictured Above: The wedge on the bottom of the device is rotated all the way around throughout testing, with the horse’s response to its movement scored and recorded on a chart.
The following article is based on Gene Ovnicek's presentation at the 2018 International Hoof-Care Summit. To watch the presentation, click here.
Where do you hurt and what can we do about it?”
That’s the question that Gene Ovnicek, farrier and founder of EDSS, wished he could ask horses he worked with. It’s what drove the development of the KrosschecK Equine Leverage Testing Device.
He discussed the significance of leverage testing and its utility in shoeing lame horses at the 15th annual International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Farrier Takeaways
- Leverage testing can imitate strain that is put on the horse’s distal limb in its everyday life.
- Leverage findings can help farriers modify shoes to prevent more significant problems.
- A bigger foot is not always a better foot.
An enormous amount of stress is put on horses’ joints as they perform most regular activities — even turning corners.
“We ask them to turn corners faster than the next guy, because there’s money or ribbons at stake,” Ovnicek says. “One of the innovations that have been made recently as far as manufactured shoes is to sort of roll the toe to make it easier for that horse. The most important thing is to get the foot prepped and get the shoe in the right spot so that can happen optimally.”
…
Premium content is for our Digital-only and Premium subscribers. A Print-only subscription doesn't qualify. Please purchase/upgrade a subscription with the Digital product to get access to all American Farriers Journal content and archives online.
Top Articles
Current Issue
5 Lessons & Insights from Farriers Who Shoe for a Living
When Should the Equine Hoof & Pastern Angle Line Up?
Iron Sharpens Iron in the Scenic City
Current Issue
Special Report For Equine Veterinarians
American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
Must Read Free Eguides
Download these helpful knowledge building tools
- Caring for Your Horse During a Pandemic
- CBD Products Have Promise for Farriers, but Buyer Beware
- Sharpening Knives with a Buffer
- Winter Hoof Care
Videos
Hoof Care on Parade
Greg Martin, CJF, of Boerne, Texas, takes the unique approach of marketing his hoof-care practice with a Christmas parade float in Boerne and Comfort, Texas. The award-winning float boasts a variety of surprising features.
Events
Michigan Horseshoers Association 55th Annual Clinic
Date: 01/02/25
Location: Lansing, MI
View Event
Top Directory Listings
Life Data Labs Inc
Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.
Kawell USA
Kawell develops and produces copper alloy horseshoes and inserts, giving horses the care that they need to fight issues associated with white line disease, seedy toe and thrush.
SmartPak
From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.