Know What’s Really Insured With Your Rig, What’s Not

After an Oklahoma farrier rolled his shoeing rig, he was shocked to learn the vehicle’s $3,000 per year insurance policy covered only the truck. Unfortunately, it did not cover the damaged shoeing body or lost and broken tools. 

Brent Chidsey of Stone Well Bodies & Equipment in Genoa, N.Y., says his insurance company will insure a shoeing body at no extra charge with the truck under a self-employed policy. “But they want to see a photo of the shoeing body and want to know its cost,” he says. Chidsey says this insurance company will cover damage of up to $3,000 of shoeing tools with an additional $100 yearly rider on the policy.

Is Navicular Disease A Man-Made Concern?

Michigan State University equine veterinarian Robert Bowker is convinced that’s often the case with navicular disease. He believes most navicular problems can be corrected with proper trimming and exercise that stimulates the back of the foot.

He maintains ground contact with the frog encourages the lateral cartilages and digital cushion to become stronger in supporting the back of the foot. Research indicates it is essential for the frog to be on the ground so the bars at the back of the foot are always making contact with the ground. Along with the lateral cartilages and the digital cushion, Bowker says the frog acts as nature’s version of a gel-filled insole. While it has been theorized for years that the frog pumps blood to…