As farriers, we know that when making shoeing choices for the horse, managing leverage — adding or subtracting leverage biomechanically — is part of that decision making process. We have many appliance options available to achieve our goals.
At the August clinic held at Anvil Brand in Lexington, Ill., American Farriers Team members Bryan Osborne and Bodie Trnka did a live shoeing, followed by working on shoe building and modifications.
Managing front and hind lamenesses in performance horses is not uncommon for farriers. Research indicates that 70% of sport horses will sustain at least one musculoskeletal lameness during a season (Deacon and Wilson, 1999).
The structures of the equine foot have the unique ability to adapt, change shape and restore. There are multiple benefits in shod vs. barefoot or in allowing the horse to be without shoes for a given time period to improve the palmar section of the foot.
It all depends on your perspective of the question. If you are referring to the shoe selection and shaping of the shoe hot vs. cold then my advice would be to trim, shape and measure the foot before going to the anvil.
Shoeing can make a great deal of difference in relieving pain in horses' feet relatively quickly, but it's important to avoid being overly ambitious, says Welsh farrier Grant Moon.
Even when not shod, just about every horse will have its feet trimmed throughout the year. Developing an efficient trimming technique is essential. There are many ways to trim a foot.
When a foot is routinely trimmed too close at the toe each time the horse is shod, my research has shown that P3 seems to settle and the horse can be “off” for a few days. It is my belief that the sole ridge (callus) plays a major role in supporting P3.
Greg Martin, CJF, of Boerne, Texas, takes the unique approach of marketing his hoof-care practice with a Christmas parade float in Boerne and Comfort, Texas. The award-winning float boasts a variety of surprising features.
Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.
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.