Natural Hoof Care

08/22/2020

11/06/2019

This isn't my photo, but it is a great illustration. Heels grow forward, not down. As farriers, we've all heard owners request (or in some instances demand) "don't touch the heels", or "take all the toe you can but leave the heel", also we occasionally hear some trainer or self taught farrier saying the same sort of baloney. Such a statement is a pretty good indicator that the person knows next to nothing about a horse's hoof and is just parroting what they've been told from some other yahoo. As heels grow forward, the base of support moves forward as well. This contributes to the development of the exact hoof type the "leave all the heel" genius is trying to avoid. I've followed farriers who were fired for allegedly taking too much heel, when in fact they were taking no heel, just as they were told, and that was the problem. (That and they decided it was easier to go along to get along rather than attempt to educate someone who was already so confident in their knowledge on the subject.) So this is like a PSA. "Leave all the heel you can" tells you the person knows as much about a horse's hoof as a person telling a NASA engineer they oughta attach a windmill to the next space shuttle to save on fuel. Just stop.

Photo credit: Andi Weishaupt
Text from Talbert Farrier Services, Pic from Huuf-ch - too good to not share

05/05/2019

https://pin.it/xkc2xdrcspbyph

Our horse’s hooves are important. Barefoot or shod, your horse is only as good as his feet are, so taking good care of them should be on the top of a horse owner’s “to do” list. Aaron Lee, owner of Aaron Lee Farrier Service, is an AFA-certified farrier in Central Vermont. He has competed in ...

08/28/2018

I shared a post a while back about a fellow farrier getting bit by a "horse that never bites" Well today, I got my share! DO NOT let your guard down, even if your horse has been trimmed many times before. All it takes is just once! Stay alert and keep a good hold of your horse! Your Farrier will thank you!

08/12/2018

Foundered Pony trim #4

07/26/2018

Hoof Heal aids in maintaining a healthy frog, sole, heel and coronary band. This hoof dressing for horses helps prevent brittle, cracked hoof walls and heels. Allows hoof to breathe. An all- weather easy brush-on-formula. Deep and rapid pe*******on with one application provides 3-5 days protection. Pick you up some today at your local Farm & Home store!

Keep an eye on store shelves for our NEW Hoof Heal packaging (same great formula)! See why farriers recommend Hoof Heal to maintain a healthy hoof environment and download your coupons here > http://hubs.ly/H05jzT20

06/12/2018

Foundered Pony: This is the 3rd trim, was severely overgrown in the beginning.

05/03/2018

In most cases Laminitis and Founder are preventable if you follow a proper diet and keep your four-legged friends on a regular trimming schedule. Here is an excellent article on how to prepare your horses for Spring and what signs to keep an eye out for.
I see a lot of Laminitis/ Founder and it is no fun for horse or owner. I cannot stress enough to take the proper steps if you want to prevent the hardship and long road to recovery.

Hoof Care Practitioners share their experiences from the field.

03/09/2018

Spring is about here and so are the longer day light hours, which means you can spend more time where you want... in the SADDLE! Make sure your 4-legged friend is in tip top shape! I always recommend Hoof Heal by Manna Pro to my clients. It helps with numerous hoof conditions: thrush, cracks, dry/ brittle hooves, etc. Pick up some today at your nearest Farm & Home store or you can contact me today! Remember No Hoof, No Horse!

Keep an eye on store shelves for our NEW Hoof Heal packaging (same great formula)! See why farriers recommend Hoof Heal to maintain a healthy hoof environment and download your coupons here > http://hubs.ly/H05jzT20

01/24/2018

Being a farrier is hard work. Here are some things you can do before the farrier comes to help them out!

10/19/2017

04/25/2017

Whether you are a Sunday stroll or an endurance rider, you may have a horse that is super sensitive to different types of terrain. If you find that your horse stumbles, trips, or tip toes on certain types of terrain it might be time to consider helping your riding buddy out!
If you have any questions or doubt about trail boots shoot me a message or give me a call to learn more!

Here is the link to the two types of trail boots that I have posted below!
http://www.renegadehoofboots.com/about.html - Renegade
https://www.easycareinc.com/ - Easy Care

04/06/2017

03/25/2017

Spring is upon us and it's nice to finally see some rain. With rain comes the tendency for our horses to have some hoof problems and one of those is thrush:

What is thrush?
Thrush is an unpleasant infection of the horse’s frog, which is caused by moist, damp, dirty ground or stable conditions.

What causes thrush?
Thrush is an infection of the horse's frog, most often involving bacterial and occasionally fungal infection. One species of bacterium (Fusobacterium necrophorum) is particularly aggressive, invading and destroying the frog, sometimes exposing the deeper sensitive tissues. Long heel conformation encourages the development of deep narrow frog sulci, which are more prone to the development of thrush, if environmental conditions are right. If the horse has an imbalanced foot in the lateromedial (inside-outside) plane then this also causes the horse to thrush.

How is thrush diagnosed?
Thrush produces a foul smelling black discharge in the affected sulcus of the frog. There is pain when applying pressure to the affected area. The hind feet are more often affected than the front feet and, occasionally, infection may result in a general swelling of the lower limb.

How is thrush treated?
The horse should be moved to a dry clean environment. The foot should be thoroughly cleaned out, removing debris from within the affected frog sulcus, and then the horn is pared out down to healthy tissue, allowing air to reach any remaining damaged tissues. The frog and its sulcus should be scrubbed daily with dilute iodine solution or other antiseptic solutions.
Thereafter, the horse should be kept in clean, dry stable conditions and the frog should be cleaned and treated regularly until the infection is controlled and the tissues heel.

How can thrush be prevented?
Prevention is better than cure and thrush can be avoided by good stable management and regular foot care and inspection. Stable your horse in clean dry conditions and have your horses' feet regularly trimmed to avoid the development of long heel conformation and to keep the frog healthy. Any mediolateral foot imbalance should also be addressed by the farrier.

Caution
With early treatment and good stable and environmental management, the prognosis for complete recovery for cases of thrush is good. Treatment will usually be required for 7-14 days. The prognosis for complete resolution is good unless the infection has been allowed to become chronic and/or there is extensive involvement of deeper tissues.

Information provided by:
http://www.clydevetgroup.co.uk/equine/newsletters/nov05.htm

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03/23/2017

Professional, certified farrier that specializes in Natural Hoof Care. I am kind, courteous, prompt

03/21/2017

Spring is here and so are the longer day light hours, which means you can spend more time where you want... in the SADDLE! Make sure your 4-legged friend is in tip top shape! I always recommend Hoof Heal by Manna Pro to my clients. It helps with numerous hoof conditions: thrush, cracks, dry/ brittle hooves, etc. Pick up some today at your nearest Farm & Home store or you can contact me today! Remember No Hoof, No Horse!

Keep an eye on store shelves for our NEW Hoof Heal packaging (same great formula)! See why farriers recommend Hoof Heal to maintain a healthy hoof environment and download your coupons here > http://hubs.ly/H05jzT20