For several years, we’ve been adding a boxed list of important points to many of the feature articles that appear in American Farriers Journal. We call these points, “Farrier Takeaways.”

In this article, you’ll find some of the best tips from stories that were featured during 2013, as well as the names of the hoof-care professionals who shared these ideas with readers.

Use these top 50 tips as a reminder for yourself, information you can share with fellow hoof-care professionals and as a useful learning tool for the apprentices that work with you.

Trimming And Shoeing

1. The lower the hoof angles on the foot, the more important it is to make sure the heels and bulbs are supported.

— Donnie Karr, Loomis, Calif.

2. Proper balance starts with understanding the anatomy and the specific biomechanics found in the uniqueness of each individual foot.

— Ron Riegel, DVM, Marysville, Ohio

3. A proper trim is the foundation of any good hoof-care program, for horses that are shod or go barefoot.

— Steve Kraus, Ithaca, N.Y.

4. Being able to identify landmarks such as Duckett’s Dot and the widest part of the foot will help you develop trimming and shoeing strategies to better manage hoof distortion and balance a hoof.

— Steve Stanley, Versailles, Ky.

5. The first 1/4 to 1/2 inch of the hoof wall below the hairline at the coronet band can be used as a guideline when dressing back the dorsal hoof wall. This will align the hoof…