Genetics May Play A Key Role In High-Low Syndrome

Even though scientific studies have shown the development of uneven feet in foals starts with their preference for grazing with one limb forward and one limb backward, some farriers believe high-low syndrome is due more to genetics than just being an asymmetrical trait. 

John Murdoch of Garlep Dam, South Africa, has made numerous foal to mother and sire evaluations while trimming at a number of breeding operations. As a result, he’s convinced high-low syndrome has more to do with genetics than the way a foal stands when grazing. “I think these deviations are prevalent in some bloodlines and not in others,” he says. “Much is made of the way foals graze and the effect this has on the feet, but I’m not convinced this has any effect on later hoof shape.” (For more on the high-low syndrome, turn to “Taking A Closer Look At A Horse’s Conformation” on Pages 47 to 50.)

Should Your Footcare Invoices Show Separate Charges?

While many farriers split out all of the specific costs on a shoeing bill, Dean Moshier isn’t one of them. Instead, the Delaware, Ohio, farrier prefers to simply list a total figure for each trimming and shoeing visit. “I find a cost breakdown encourages the client to compare the price of the parts of the service rather than the whole service,” he says. “If you did a trimming and shoeing for $80 and charged $15 extra for pads, I’d simply bill the…