If you’ve ever held a horse while it is being shod, you’ve probably experienced the giant cloud of pungent smoke that develops when a farrier places a hot shoe against the sole of a horse’s hoof. But is this rather uncomfortable looking process necessary for your horse to have a good fit in his shoes?
When [...]
Cold Shoeing vs. Hot Shoeing
Therapeutic Horseshoeing
In recent years, the art of therapeutic and corrective shoeing has come a long way, and now many lame horses can be given new pain-free lives, and can even resume work. Depending on the situation, there are many types of shoes to help your horse – here are just a few:
Heart-Bar Shoes. These shoes circle [...]
How to Find a Good Farrier
Since good shoeing and trimming are vital to keeping your horse sound and healthy it is very important that when the time comes to have your horse trimmed and shod, you trust the person who is working on his feet. Here are some tips to finding a good and reliable farrier:
Word [...]
Standing for the Farrier
A horse that doesn’t stand quietly for the farrier is a danger both to himself and to those working around him. Try these steps to make your horse more comfortable during a farrier visit:
If your horse doesn’t like being separated from his buddies, try having a quiet horse close by that your horse can bond [...]
How to Treat a Hoof Abscess
If you find your horse suddenly and acutely lame, and he can barely put pressure on the affected foot, it’s very possible he has a hoof abscess. The first thing to do in a case like this is to call your vet or farrier. After using hoof-testers to locate the abscess, they will cut open [...]
What to do When Your Horse has Thrush
If you’ve noticed a foul, strong odor accompanied by a black, oozing discharge when picking out your horse’s feet, it’s likely he has a case of thrush. Occurring most often through the rainy winter months, thrush is the result of a bacterial infection that can develop if your horse is frequently standing on wet ground. [...]
What to do When Your Horse Loses a Shoe
Having secure shoes is probably the most important thing for a horse. Riding a horse who is missing a shoe can lead to major health problems for the horse. There are many different circumstances under which a horse can lose his shoe. If you handle the situation properly you can dramatically improve your horse’s chances [...]