Chris Niclas, a Sequim, Wash., farrier and vice president of the Equine Lameness Prevention Organization, demonstrates how to draw a non-distorted horse foot for improving recognition of hoof distortion.
The information, ideas and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the United States Department of Agriculture.
Creating Lameness for Inflammation Study Heart-bar shoes that incorporate an adjustable pressure screw are used as a reversible model of hoof pain for experimental studies of anti-inflammatory medications. In this trial, researchers applied heart-bar shoes to five mares.
The periosteum, thin but tough connective tissue that enwraps all true bones, was the focus of the third installment of this series, “Equine Reciprocating Systems: Connecting Tendon to Bone.” Knowledge of the periosteum creates a good starting point for learning the structure of joints.
When it comes to horses’ feet, we know that they are constantly growing forward. With that in mind, we need to have an idea of where we are going when we trim a foot. Everyone can visualize a foot in their head. What are you used to seeing? Is the foot symmetrical? Is it proportional?
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have created a diagnostic imaging tool that could help prevent equine injuries through early detection and monitoring: a standing helical computed tomography (CT) scanner named Equina.
During my shoeing career I have recognized that the common and consistent shoeing prescription of egg-bar shoes and wedge pads is not beneficial for all horses diagnosed with navicular. In some horses this protocol provides temporary relief, after which the condition can worsen. In other horses, there is no improvement.
The forelimb reciprocating apparatus of the horse is a unique and important biomechanical system that every farrier must understand before good decisions concerning hoof trim and appliances can be made. Detailed study of tissue types is the first step, but we also have to be careful of our choice of terminology.
Farriers have a variety of shoeing options to consider when providing mechanical support to an acutely lame horse. Depending on the horse’s specific circumstances and the farrier’s particular skill set, a hand-forged heart-bar shoe or modified keg shoe may offer a solution. Ohio certified journeyman farrier and equine veterinarian Adam Pendleton has found open toe heart-bar shoes can be a useful application in certain cases.
Unfortunately as a community, farriers have been repeatedly force-fed information that is presented as scientific, but in fact bears little or no resemblance to good science or fact. However, there is science known about locomotion and the linear relationship between farrier techniques and altering that locomotion.
In this episode, Mark Ellis, a Wisconsin farrier who learned the ropes with Renchin, recalls Red’s relationships with area veterinarians, his legacy and the second career as American Farriers Journal’s technical editor.
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Kawell develops and produces copper alloy horseshoes and inserts, giving horses the care that they need to fight issues associated with white line disease, seedy toe and thrush.
From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.