If you're looking for new ways to boost shoeing income, Richard Mansmann believes you should take a serious look at establishing a preventive footcare program. Adding such a program could also make your shoeing services more valuable to clients.

For 30 years, Mansmann has seen horses that could have remained healthy if such a preventive program had been in place. As a result, the equine veterinarian at Central Carolina Equine Practice in Cary, N.C., has spent the past 4 years developing a preventive footcare system that could be offered by a farrier or veterinarian.

How It Works

His program, based on recording measurements and observations every 12 months, includes recording items for a horse, group of horses, farm or geographic area.

Mansmann says the program’s foot measurements and observations offer a baseline comparison for future reference. His program could easily be modified to fit different types of horses and the most prevalent foot problems in your area.

Prime candidates are horses with conformational problems such as mismatched feet, overweight horses and horses with stretched laminae at the toe, white line disease, chronic laminitic problems or suspected laminitic concerns.

“This preventive footcare program is not a farrier critique, not a substitute for a lameness examination, not a complete examination and not a diagnosis of lameness,” says Mansmann. 

“It offers a unique opportunity to positively interact with vets and other farriers in your area and work together to manage existing foot problems and prevent many others. The ultimate goal is to prolong…