Two Important Reasons to Learn Equine Anatomy

In January 2022, Chris Gregory will mark 30 years as a farrier educator. At the Heartland Horseshoeing School in Lamar, Mo., Gregory stresses anatomy within his curriculum. Besides that knowledge of anatomy benefits correctly trimming and shoeing a horse, Gregory says there are two reasons to master the subject.

First, the farrier who can speak correctly on anatomy will better communicate with veterinarians. This communication will increase the vet’s confidence in your overall knowledge, and make it more likely for the practitioner to refer footcare work to you.

Also, Gregory says that it will help you when evaluating products at the local supply shop.

“If you understand your equine anatomy, then you look at a product and determine if it doesn’t make sense anatomically, then beware,” he says. 

Gregory shared his thoughts while delivering a clinic with son Cody Gregory at Centaur Forge in Burlington, Wis.

The Farrier Industry Has Come a Long Way in 50 Years

Farriers sharing knowledge is common today. It wasn’t the case a few decades ago.

A second-generation shoer, John Blombach Jr., was trained by his father, John Blombach Sr. The elder Blombach began shoeing in 1925, at the beginning of the decline of the American horse industry that would last through the 1960s, before rebounding. Like many of that time, the younger Blombach was taught that other farriers are competition and not to reveal your work. 

“I remember one time I brought another farrier to the shop,”…