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Katie LoPresti, DVM, recommends riding along with a vet to better understand each other’s perspective on the hoof and foster a better working relationship. Lewis Horn III 

Better Vet-Farrier Communication Leads to Better Hoof Care

Resolve points of conflict through education & open dialogue

Effective communication is key to maintaining relationships. Working with veterinarians to assess and treat hoof pathologies is common, but verbal and nonverbal miscommunication can get in the way. Though an equine professional’s goal is to do right by the horse, a farrier and vet may disagree on the best mode of accomplishment. This can occur because a farrier’s knowledge base is different from that of a veterinarian, so they approach the hoof differently, or it could be beliefs and attitudes that get in the way of open communication

People interpret nonverbal communication differently based on their life experiences — or whether they had a bad day. Katie LoPresti, DVM, of Friendly Vet Clinic in Greensboro, N.C., showed a group of equine professionals at the 2024 International Hoof-Care Summit photos of various facial expressions to prove this point. While some people thought one face looked skeptical, others found it judgmental, proud or amused, which can lead to misinterpretation or a negative interaction. Included in nonverbal communication are body language, voice inflection and even texting. 

As with any professional relationship, being mindful of how you appear to others is important. Crossed arms may signal defensiveness, while short texts can indicate irritation. Overcoming these miscommunications or even barriers means understanding why they occur. 

Takeaways

  • Farriers may disregard a vet’s explicit treatment prescription, and vets may resist farriers’ input because they feel the other is intruding on their authority. This creates verbal and nonverbal miscommunications that can cause friction in the vet-farrier relationship.
  • Clear…
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Maclaren Krueger

Maclaren Krueger is an assistant editor for American Farriers Journal and the International Hoof-Care Summit. Previously, they were an editorial intern with No-Till Farmer, Farm Equipment and other Lessiter Media publications. They have a background in photography and graduated with a degree in English, Creative Writing and Publishing from the University of Iowa.

Contact: mkrueger@lessitermedia.com

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