Any problems you have with your horse while away from home are troublesome whether it be an attitude problem of your horse not wanting to load or a severe injury suffered during competition. This range of concerns also can be found in one small albeit important area of your horse–his foot. You can be faced with a shoe that unexpectedly is pulled off leaving exposed a bare hoof on a rocky trail or a horse which suddenly begins to founder far from home and familiar help.

As with most problems hoofcare crises are best handled by those who are prepared. If you are going to a show or competition find out ahead of time which veterinarian and farrier are available to take care of your horse. Ask your practitioner and shoer whom they would recommend at that location if there is more than one choice. If your horse has a particular or unusual shoeing need, talk to the farrier at the competition to make sure he is equipped to handle your needs. If not he probably can recommend a colleague who specializes in what your horse uses (i.e. glue-on shoes special pads or custom-built shoes).

You should be knowledgeable about your horse’s feet. If you normally aren’t around when your farrier trims and shoes your horse make it a point to be there the next time. Ask questions about your horse’s feet and take notes. Do you know what size/type of shoe your horse normally wears? Are there special trimming applications your farrier uses based on your horse’s conformation and way of going? (If your farrier has been working on your horse for a number of years he might be doing subtle things to help your horse that even he doesn’t realize until asked such as extra-easy breakover for that right hind that was injured years ago.)

Your farrier should know ahead of time what you plan on doing with your horse. He might suggest different shoes/pads if you are going on a week-long campout in rocky terrain when you normally only ride around the farm