Most, if not all, professional environments require a certain amount of cooperation and communication between team members to achieve a successful outcome. This is no different for equine health professions. In recent years, the importance of building a positive working relationship between equine veterinarians and farriers has received more attention from professional organizations of both disciplines. Veterinary schools that 5 years ago offered scant information about equine hoof health, have begun in earnest incorporating more farrier and podiatry knowledge into their curriculum. In the field, however, many still struggle to strengthen these professional connections across the disciplines.

In a positive working relationship, the different perspectives and backgrounds of veterinarians and farriers can complement one another. But when the relationship is fraught with miscommunication and lack of consideration, the horse and client will be the ones negatively impacted.

Here are a few suggestions to build a positive veterinarian-farrier relationship.

Acknowledge Your Differences, Then Exploit Them

The goals of both professions are to improve the health and comfort of the horse and keep the client happy enough to stay employed. Despite…