Items Tagged with 'symmetry'

ARTICLES

Preparation Is Key To Rebuilding Walls

New York farrier provides his insights into making the best of a tough task

By Jeff Cota posted on January 4, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Diseases, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing

Rebuilding hoof wall is no small task. There are a number of things that can, and often do, happen to make the job even tougher than it already is.

Preventing And Addressing Hoof Flares

Identifying and correctly managing deformations are critical to keeping horses sound

By Audrey Pavia posted on November 30, 2015 | Posted in Education, Diseases, Lamenesses, Trimming

Hoof flare is one of the most common issues facing farriers today. Yet as often as it’s seen, hoof flare is also potentially crippling to the horse. Recognizing hoof flare and treating it can be crucial to keeping your clients’ horses healthy and sound.

The Effect of Laterality on Shoeing and Trimming

Horses tend to favor one side over the other, which has implications for hoof care and the farrier

By Simon Curtis posted on January 1, 2012 | Posted in Anatomy, Diseases

Laterality is the term used to describe any animal’s propensity for using one side of the body predominantly and the preference for one limb over the other opposing limb. Put simply, we can call it “one-sidedness.”

Farrier Tips

Farrier Role Is Critical in a Horse's Soundness

August 13, 2011 | Posted in Anatomy

Getting the farrier involved with finding ways to balance a horse's joints is just as essential as balancing the foot.

Common Hoof Beliefs — Uncommon Measurements

Digital imaging and measuring software present a challenge to six farriery adages

By John Craig posted on May 1, 2005

Humans seem to be drawn toward simplifying rules of thumb in all aspects of life. In farriery, such rules of thumb tell us that certain aspects of the hoof should be "balanced 50-50" or "align in a straight line" or "should be parallel." Whether or not there are careful measurements to back up such statements, such assertions have a certain allure and "sound right" to many people. After a while, such beliefs become second nature to many practitioners.

Fault Piled On Fault May Make Long-Toe, Low-Heel Syndrome Worse

Combination of biological, environmental and shoeing factors may be the culprit

By Richard A. Mansmann posted on December 1, 2004 | Posted in Lamenesses

Conformation has always been seen as an important factor in evaluating the athleticism of a horse and possibly the prevention of lameness problems. But conformational problems alone may not be responsible for the development of bad cases of long-toe, low-heel syndrome.

Making Sense Of Hoof Balance

Several theories and models are available, but knowing which principles to choose and when to use them can make the difference between soundness and lameness

By Ron Perszewski posted on September 1, 2004 | Posted in Anatomy

Farriers understand the need to balance every foot they trim, yet hoof balance might be one of the least understood concepts in shoeing.

Understanding Balance In Relationship To Movement

Horseshoe developer says the interplay of these concepts is key to a horse being shod correctly

By Gordon C. Haight posted on December 1, 2003 | Posted in Anatomy, Therapeutic Shoeing

Horseshoeing is often practiced without regard for the individual horse’s conformation and without examination of his manner of movement.

Whose Leg Is It Anyway?

Instead of paired front feet, think in terms of diagonals

By Scott Brock posted on December 1, 2002 | Posted in Shoeing

In my travels and years of shoeing horses, I’ve worked with at least 100 shoers.

Duckett Vs. Russell

Similar or not, comparing the hoof balancing ideas William Russell used almost 100 years ago and those advocated today by David Duckett have resulted in considerable confusion

By Matthew Taimuty posted on March 1, 1999 | Posted in Shoeing

Disagreement exists on many aspects of the science of farriery and some of the most heated debate has centered around principles of hoof balance. Recently two names have come to the forefront of this debate: Professor William Russell and Dave Duckett, a Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers.

Videos

Hoof Care on Parade

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.

Events

Indiana Farriers' Association Clinic

Date: 03/29/25

Location: Montgomery, IN

The Indiana Farriers’ Association is hosting a clinic at the Daviess County Produce Auction on March 29, 2025. The clinician is Mark Troyer.

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Top Directory Listings

Life Data Labs Inc

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 USA

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.

SmartPak

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.