Obesity is a result of horses consuming more calories than they are expending, either through basal metabolism or exercise. Excess fat is stored under the skin and the amount of fat can be easily estimated using the highly popular body condition scoring (BCS) system.

Farriers may find themselves dealing with at least three distinct types of coronary band injuries. They include irritation and damage to the coronary band and sandcracks.

If you have been around horses for long, you have probably had to deal with an abscess. For farriers, treating abscesses is part and parcel of what we do for a living. An abscess is simply an infection in the sensitive structures of the foot. Often it is from a puncture in the sole that allows bacteria into the solar corium. However, they can occur from a bruise that becomes infected or from the introduction of bacteria from other situations, such as severe wet or environmental changes.

How should I treat a grade 3 or 4 laminitic club foot?

It may be time to add insulin resistance to the list of major causes of laminitis. Recent research indicates impaired glucose uptake and postoperative conditions may weaken the hoof lamellae, which make horses more susceptible to this costly problem.