From the monthly archives:

November 2009

FAQ #8: At what age should we shoe a horse?

November 24, 2009 0 comments

A young horse does not usually have to be shod unless it’s necessary to maintain the foot in a healthy, balanced state. Soundness is the key.  If the wear of the hoof capsule is greater than its growth,  it should be shod.
The average hoof growth rate is three-eighths of an inch (about one centimeter) per [...]

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FAQ 6: Foot Care for Older Horses with Arthritis

November 16, 2009

Question: My mare is Twelve going on Thirteen. I have had her for two years and have always had problems with holding and trimming her rear feet. In an article I read recently on restraint training it is stated that if a horse is old or has problems with arthritis they should not have their legs [...]

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Providing Traction for Winter Equine Foot Care

November 13, 2009 1 comment

There are several ways of providing traction in the winter time. Traditionally horses were shod with sharp shoes. Shoes were calked (toes and heels) and these were sharpened periodically by the blacksmith. This was a difficult job as the shoes had to be removed and it had to be done more often than [...]

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Winter Equine Foot Care Tips

November 11, 2009 0 comments

Horse hooves are 25 to 50 percent water. Water freezes. Frozen hooves may split when nails are driven into them, and pounding upon the feet may be painful.
The coriums or sensitive structures under the hoof are often bruised when the horse stands on snow that “balls up” under the hooves. In the spring, the farrier [...]

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FAQ 7: Should My Farrier Clean Up After Himself?

November 11, 2009

QUESTION: Dear Sir or Madam, I am looking for feedback on the standard protocol for farriers regarding cleaning up after shoeing and running magnets for horseshoe nail tips at busy boarding stables.

Is it generally the responsibility of the farrier to clean up after shoeing and run their magnets for nail scraps or does this fall on the shoulders of [...]

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6 Components of Cold Weather Horse Care

November 5, 2009

Cold Weather Horse Care by Doug Butler Phd, CJF, FWCF

Horses have different needs than people do. Here are a few of a horse’s winter needs – from its point of view.

1. Shelter
Horses have a thick skin insulated by fat and thick winter hair. The horse’s integument (its hooves and skin) has an underlying dermis [...]

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FAQ 5: How can horse owners help farriers?

November 1, 2009

What specific information should a horse owner know and/or record that can help a farrier better care for their horse’s feet?
A regularly scheduled visit by the farrier is the most important way to care for a horse’s feet. A current, up-to-date record of ideal trimming or shoeing intervals for each horse, ideal individual hoof angles [...]

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