How many horses in your practice battle palmar foot pain, riding that razor edge between working soundness and days off? Pain originating in the palmar or rearward section of the foot isn’t a very specific diagnosis, but it certainly affects a lot of horses — and thereby a lot of farriers.

When dealing with laminitis, most cases require a team approach between the horse owner, farrier and veterinarian. And if there is no respect or communication between you and any of the other parties, Amy Rucker maintains, you should decline to work on the horse.

Despite the advancements in today’s adhesives, acrylics and other types of materials that can be used to build up and repair damaged feet, there are still a wide variety of other options out there that can help fill a farrier’s specific needs.