Exploring the debate on hoof care The farriering industry is rich in tradition, expertise, and varied practices. Among farriers, one hotly debated topic is the choice between trimming and shoeing a horse's foot. This debate stems from several factors, including differing philosophies on hoof care, the horse's specific needs, the client's preferences, and varying perspectives on long-term health and performance. To understand the current debate, it's essential to delve into th

Horses are not just beautiful animals; they are also athletes that require dedicated care to thrive. Among the many aspects of equine care, hoof care stands out as one of the most crucial. Think of a horse's hooves as the foundation of a house: if the base is compromised, everything built on top is affected. Neglecting hoof care can lead to severe health problems that significantly impact a horse’s well-being and performance. This article dives into why controlling who trims

The Importance and Maintenance of Proper Hoof Angles Introduction The hoof angle of a horse is a critical aspect of equine health and...

Now that we know that the pedal bone and the navicular bone are engineered to carry the weight of the equine to the ground under their...

When comparing the bioengineering of the pedial bone, we must consider two factors. These two forces are the loading on the dome-shaped...

In our last talk, we discussed how the dysfunctional loading of the upper body will affect the limb's loading and distal joints and that...

In my last blog, I asked you to consider the relationship balance between the middle and distal phalanx and its consequences for the...

In our daily routine of working with horses and especially trimming or shoeing their feet, we have to understand if we make changes to...

Now that we have spoken about the compromised internal structures of the hoof capsule in my last group of blogs, how do we help the...

Let’s look at the compromised internal structures and the inappropriate relationship between the hoof capsule and distal interphalangeal...

As we follow the dysfunctional process, the bars of the equine foot will reduce in height as their distal palmar section builds up more...

What are the basic shoeing principles for fitting a horseshoe regarding our horses' farriering needs? The way I try to help the equine...

Continuing from my last blog, let’s look at when the orthopaedic loading is compromised. This challenges the relationship between the...

As an industry, I would hope that we could change the way we view the equine foot and its loading capabilities before we decide to alter...

In my past blogs, I have outlined the complex biology of equine dysfunction. I strongly believe that farriers and veterinarians must...

What causes a change in the equine balance systems? The biomechanics of the animal’s upper body are modified when we alter its...

As an industry, we are mostly influenced by the mechanical leverage theory; however, after considering the information in my last two...

The animal nervous system is one of the most notable changes in the equine with dysfunctional feet loading. Therefore, farriers and the...

As we continue to explore the orthopaedic balance of the equine, comprehension of the orthopaedic stance (and, therefore, the equine...

Why is farriering so important to the biology of the equine?