Dorsal hoof wall distortion — defined here as the deviation of the dorsal hoof wall from a straight line — can be an important indicator of overall hoof health and dorsopalmar hoof balance.

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.

Researchers in Japan did a descriptive survey of the primary and secondary epidermal laminae of 35 Thoroughbred horses of all ages to characterize the variation of normal laminae in horses without laminitis.

Can foot problems be identified by the shape and health of the frog?

The sole is the guardian that shields the sensitive structures of the hoof from contact with the outside world. Acting as the primary barrier against ground surface trauma, it is designed to handle concussion naturally; however, it seems that this once efficient protector has become one of the most abused structures of a horse’s anatomy.

A controlled experimental trial was conducted using nine clinically normal ponies to determine the effects of high blood insulin levels on lamellar integrity and laminitis in normal ponies with normal blood glucose levels. Five ponies were administered high levels of insulin over a 72-hour period while keeping their blood glucose levels within the normal range and controls received saline placebos over the same time period.

Navicular disease is a term that all farriers are familiar with. But what is it? I’d argue that it is better defined as a syndrome than a disease.