In most cases, it’s fairly easy to determine that a foal’s legs are crooked when observing the limbs while standing in front of the horse. Yet, that’s not the correct manner in which to examine it, according to Cornell University Equine Hospital veterinarian Norm Ducharme.
Before reaching for hoof packing, it’s important to consider why. Ask yourself, what’s behind the intention of packing the hoof? How will it benefit the horse? It’s important to scrutinize your reasons and establish an objective.
What consideration do you give to trimming the frog?
“I think we overlook it,” Danville, Ill., farrier Steve Sermersheim told attendees at the D.L. Schwartz Farrier Supply clinic in October. “I used to overlook it. I would just trim the frog and go on.”
Time is not a friend when a foal is presented with crooked legs.
Growth plates close relatively quickly, which doesn’t leave a farrier and veterinarian much time if intervention is necessary.
It has been estimated that 80% or more of laminitis cases fall under the category of hormonal/endocrine pathologies, but until recently detailed research has focused on other causes.
Rio Rico, Ariz., farrier Chad Lunderville discusses the misconceptions some people have about thrush in the American Southwest, and how he deals with tough cases.
Hoof growth slows in winter for two major reasons. One is that cold weather results in less blood flow to the extremities. The other for most horses is less formal exercise in winter. Regular exercise can go a long way in reversing both effects.
Disease management is the goal for chronically laminitic horses as a cure is not known. The question is, what type of nutritional restrictions are necessary for a horse with chronic laminitis? Because horses are foragers by nature, choosing the best grazing option requires thoughtful consideration.
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.
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