One Farrier's Viewpoint

Three Rules For Breakover

Let the location of the coffin bone be your guide

By Heather Smith Thomas and Heather O'Brien posted on May 1, 2013 | Posted in Anatomy, Education

Breakover is the point of the stride at which the horse’s toe starts to dip so that the heels can lift.

The WIDTH Protocol

An objective approach to determining appropriate hoof care for a horse

By Steve Kraus posted on May 1, 2013 | Posted in Education, Shoeing

For some time, farriers, trimmers, and horse owners have debated the merits of placing shoes on horses' feet.

One Farrier's Viewpoint

Cup Shoe Offers Different Approach on Bearing Surface

Farrier argues that the traditional, horizontal shoe fit can be improved upon

By Martin Kenny posted on May 1, 2009 | Posted in Trimming

“The bearing surface of the shoe, especially at the ends of the branches, must be horizontal,” wrote Anton Lungwitz in the 19th century.

One Farrier's Viewpoint

The Effect of Nail Placement on Hoof Capsule Distortion

Farrier’s observations contradict some traditional thinking.

By Martin Kenny posted on April 1, 2009 | Posted in Shoeing

The thickness of the wall is variable. In front hooves, the wall is thickest at the toe and becomes gradually thinner towards the quarters ... The more slanting half of the hoof is always the thicker.

One Farrier's Viewpoint

Hoof Capsule Distortion As A Process Rather Than An Event

Veteran farrier looks at hooves from a different viewpoint

March 1, 2009 | Posted in Diseases

For too long, the horse industry and specifically farriers and equine veterinarians have looked at hoof capsule distortion (HCD) as an event that can simply be altered with a rasp, wedge pads, clips, bar shoes, etc.

One Farrier's Viewpoint