Comments on: Therapeutic Horseshoeing

By: Ron Marshall

Ron Marshall — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 00:08:21 +0000

I am a fifty year veteran farrier and certified member of the American Farriers Association #4959. I specialize in Therapeutic horse shoeing and I am a follower and student of Dr. Rick Redden ( The International Equine Podiatry Center located in Versailles, Kentucky ) and Dr. Stephen O’Grady.

Not all horses need shoes and not all horses need therapeutic shoeing. For those that do, there are many designs and many different materials used. In therapeutic work, shoes are used to help a correct healing environment for the affected horse. The shoe itself does not ” correct ” the problem. Many shoes are condemed because they made a problem worse or made the horse lame. Shoes are only a tool and the correct application with a good understanding of the biomechanics required allow the hoof to stabalize. Often, the desired mechanics can be acheived with proper trimming.

By: Heidi Meyer

Heidi Meyer — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 03:05:19 +0000

Please make sure that proper trimming of the hoof is what causes/encourages the hoof to heal. Proper balancing of the hoof capsule is crucial to realignment and increasing the circulation and healing abilities of the body itself. No shoe magically heals the horse, its only a temporary fix.
Proper consistent frequent trims are necessary to encourage healthy balanced growth.
I see many horses that end up in the cycle of not being able to function without the shoe because the hoof never gets through the healing process. Hoof boots, casts, and glue ons are available and can fill the space between unsound and sound barefoot.

By: claraetta Olney

claraetta Olney — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:17:57 +0000

Why dont manufacturers make an electric hoof trimming wheel for horses feet, like they make for dogs toenails?

This would make hoof trimming so much easier. The owner could just shave away the hoof walls instead of having to apply pressure with the nippers. This would be a great boon for everyone.