Quicking a horse happens to the best of farriers.

In most cases, the wound is cleaned, disinfected and the horse is no worse for wear. That didn’t happen when Cricket McLaren accidentally drew blood on Will, a 3-year-old Thoroughbred. In fact, it was the start of what the Eagle, Colo., farrier calls a “cascade of events” that highlights the importance of a strong veterinarian-farrier relationship, such as the one he has with equine veterinarian Courtney Diehl of Steamboat Springs, Colo.

“I say that because throughout the case, my cohort had my back,” McLaren told attendees during a presentation with Diehl at the 44th annual American Farrier’s Association Convention in Overland Park, Kan. “Did I make mistakes? Sure I did, but I didn’t wind up getting fired. I think it’s important to say that we’re not always going to get beat up if we have a good relationship going.”

Horrific Feet

Will is a typical Thoroughbred with  feet that leave a lot to be desired. The gelding is underrun with long toe flares and flat soles (Figures 1 and 2). The gelding had an unsuccessful racing career and his new owner bought him with an eye toward eventing.

“He was wearing ski jumps on the front of his feet and real, super long toe flares,” McLaren recalls. “Right off the bat, I got in there and knocked off a whole bunch of toe. I went to nail on a shoe and poked him right through the first nail hole in the…