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Skip Navigation LinksAll Horse Topics > Lameness (Hoof) and Shoeing > General Hoof Lameness/ Shoeing Topics


Articles ( * = TheHorse.com members only )Date Posted
Foot Injury Could Keep Rip Van Winkle Out of Breeders' Cup
Coolmore and trainer Aidan O'Brien took a chance by entering only Rip Van Winkle in the Breeders' Cup Classic, despite the colt's history of foot problems. They now could wind up without a horse in the race if Rip's most recent setback proves serious enough to force his withdrawal. O'Brien told the Racing Post Tuesday, "This ... Read full story
 11/4/2009
Trainer: Rip Van Winkle Fine, No Foot Issues Currently
Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien said that Breeders' Cup Classic contender Rip Van Winkle is fine and did not show any indications of his recurring foot problems when he went to the track at Santa Anita early Nov. 4. "Everything went well," O'Brien said after observing his large Breeders' Cup World Championships contingent ... Read full story
 11/4/2009
Laminitis Researcher to Headline Texas Equine Podiatry Conference
Chris Pollitt, BVSc, PhD, one of the world's foremost authorities on laminitis, will headline the Second Annual Texas Equine Podiatry Conference, set for November 12-14, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. Other speakers include Stephen O'Grady, BVSc, MRCS, equine podiatrist with Northern Virginia Equine; Mark Caldwell, FWCF, farrier with Myerscough College, ... Read full story
 10/27/2009
Texas Equine Podiatry Conference Registration Open  *
The Texas Equine Veterinary Association (TEVA) and the Podiatry Center at Reata Equine Hospital are hosting the Second Annual Texas Equine Podiatry Conference on Nov. 12-14, 2009, in Fort Worth, Texas. Hot on the heels of last year's very successful Podiatry meeting in Weatherford, Texas, this event promises to deliver even more information and practical ... Read full story
 10/16/2009
When Does a Horse Need a Farrier?  *
We all know what it feels like to break a fingernail or toenail, and it is certainly not comfortable. Luckily for humans, we do not have to walk or stand on that nail after it has been cracked or split. Horses do not have that same luxury. When a horse cracks or splits his nail, the results can be especially painful since the horse must continue to ... Read full story
 10/15/2009
Basic Foot Care  *
A horse is only as sound as his feet. Care and management of the feet will vary, however, depending on the individual horse, his conformation and hoof structure, environment and climate, and use. Whether he needs to be shod or can be left barefoot will also hinge on these factors. Trimming and Cleaning Julie Bullock, DVM, an equine practitioner ... Read full story
 10/1/2009
Earning Back Trust   *
Q: I have a 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Simon, that I have owned for five years. I need some real advice because I am very concerned about him. Up until recently I have never had any behavioral issues with him. I have always worked very hard on making sure his manners on the ground and when riding were impeccable. He has always been respectful. ... Read full story
 8/1/2009
Broodmare's Laminitis Battle Aided by Volunteer Vet  *
"She is just a nice, plain mare; nothing special." That is the way Don Blowe describes 16-year-old Halo Silver, a bay mare he purchased in 2001 to add to his small band of broodmares at Ascot Thoroughbreds, a farm he and his wife, Beth, own in Canada. Blowe never guessed that a few years later, Halo Silver, who quickly proved she was a valuable ... Read full story
 7/1/2009
Hoof Anatomy Video Released by Racehorse Safety Group   *
A free educational video that examines the physiology of the equine hoof and demonstrates proper care and shoeing techniques is now available. "The Hoof: Inside and Out" is offered online and as DVD by the Shoeing and Hoof Care Committee of the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit. "The hoof is the foundation of equine performance so it is ... Read full story
 6/29/2009
Farriery: Past, Present, and Future  *
Bill Moyer, DVM, professor of sports medicine and head of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M University, and the current AAEP vice president, began his discussion during the "Putting Science into Farriery" session at the 2008 Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners by describing the state of farriery ... Read full story
 6/8/2009
Keeping Performance Horses Sound, AAEP 2008  *
James Gilchrist, Certified Farrier, of the Palm Beach Farriery Service in Florida, offered several strategies he finds useful for his high-performance clients during the "Putting Science into Farriery" session at the 2008 Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. "Not a day goes by that I don't talk to a veterinarian about a half-dozen ... Read full story
 6/4/2009
Farriery and the Coffin Joint: Breakover Techniques, AAEP 2008   *
"Breakover (defined as the moment the heels lift off the ground) is very much affected by the surface the horse works on," began Hans Castelijns, DVM, Certified Farrier, of Cortona, Italy, during the "Putting Science into Farriery" session at the 2008 Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. "Soft ground eases breakover by letting ... Read full story
 5/22/2009
Foot and Limb Deformities in Foals, AAEP 2008  *
Bob Hunt, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, a surgeon at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington, Ky., discussed several limb and hoof deformities in foals and recommendations for correcting or managing them during the "Putting Science into Farriery" session at the 2008 Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. One of his biggest pieces ... Read full story
 5/21/2009
Equine Practitioners Discuss Merits of Barefoot vs. Shod   *
The Barefoot vs. Shod table topic session at the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif., was very well-attended, and the attendee participation was excellent, according to the session moderators. The purpose of this session was to look at the merits of each method of hoof care rather than debate ... Read full story
 5/18/2009
Managing Acute and Chronic Laminitis, AAEP 2008   *
With a packed room of veterinarians at the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif., facilitators Jim Belknap, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at The Ohio State University, and Rob Boswell, DVM, of Palm Beach Equine Clinic in ... Read full story
 5/14/2009
Hoof Wall Separations and Quarter Cracks  *
Farrier Ian McKinlay, who received some notoriety in 2008 for his work patching Big Brown's feet, discussed his experiences with patching wall separations and quarter cracks so high-performance horses can go on with their work at the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif. "Today we ... Read full story
 5/5/2009
Feet Feud  *
Q: My horse Lucky has started a behavior problem when we handle his feet. He's always been awesome about lifting his feet, but now he's getting crabby about it. It started when he went lame on one front leg because of a foot abscess. Once it burst open, he got much better, but it still bothered him. The vet said it would just take time to heal. So ... Read full story
 5/1/2009
AAEP 2008: The Board Test for Lameness   *
Extension tests (such as trotting a horse off after he stands on a toe wedge for a short time) are sometimes used to detect certain lamenesses, but their use and interpretation are generally not very standardized between practices and practitioners. Until now. At the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San ... Read full story
 4/14/2009
AAEP 2008: How to Take Foot Radiographs   *
Taking radiographs (X rays) of horses' feet is "arguably the most common form of imaging performed by veterinarians--for lameness, prepurchase, laminitis, and podiatry examinations," notes Keith Merritt, DVM, owner of Merritt & Associates Equine Hospital in Wauconda, Ill. He presented a discussion of how to properly take foot radiographs at the ... Read full story
 4/6/2009
Form and Function: Managing Chronic Laminitis   *
The visible signs of chronic laminitis are enough to break any horse owner's heart--the dished, ridged hoof walls, the uncomfortable gait. But what's at the heart of the visible clinical signs, and, once a horse has progressed to this stage, can we do anything to significantly improve his quality of life? Chris Pollitt, BVSc, PhD, head of the Australian ... Read full story
 4/3/2009
AAEP 2008: Foot Casts for Acute Laminitis   *
There are many ways to support a laminitic horse's foot; one common European method is to use plaster of paris foot casts. Hans Castelijns, DVM, CF, of Cortona, Italy, showed attendees how to apply these foot casts at the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif. "(These casts) are quick (taking ... Read full story
 4/1/2009
AAEP 2008: Tendon Angle and Lameness   *
Why might one horse suffer from injury to the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in the navicular area while another doesn't? A recent study suggests that the angle of the DDFT as it passes over the navicular bone might have a lot to do with it. Justin McCormick, MS, a senior veterinary student and assistant at the University of California, Davis, completed ... Read full story
 3/15/2009
Corrective Trimming  *
The term "corrective shoeing" is often overused and misunderstood. It sometimes implies that the farrier can correct conformational faults of feet and legs. In reality, often very little can be done to change the way a horse is built. Trying to fix a horse's conformation problem via "corrective shoeing" will just put more stress on other parts of the ... Read full story
 2/16/2009
Book Excerpt: Shoeing for the Job  *
There are many kinds of horseshoes; try to select shoes well suited to your horse's work. While a horse with a problem may need a farrier to create a special shoe, many horses get along fine with factory-made shoes. Shoes should always be as light as is practical, taking into consideration the wear demanded of them, so that they interfere as little ... Read full story
 1/26/2009
TheHorse.com Launches Editorial 'Fact Sheet' Series  *
Sometimes it is difficult to find that one short authoritative article that gives the basic information you're looking for on a specific equine topic. Something that gives you a foundation when you are looking for a starting point on which to build knowledge about a problem that has beset your horse. TheHorse.com has the answer: Fact Sheets. A series ... Read full story
 1/21/2009
Carry That Weight: Lameness in Pregnant Mares   *
Lameness is not an uncommon condition in pregnant mares. But does pregnancy itself make a horse more prone to lameness? "Any horse can become lame while pregnant, but pregnancy does not make lameness more likely as a single factor," said Sarah Sampson, DVM, a WSU clinical instructor of equine surgery and orthopedic sports medicine. "They can step ... Read full story
 1/10/2009
The Year-Round Hoof  *
From practicing daily hands-on care to taking baseline photos for later comparison, here are tips for keeping your horse’s feet healthy. How much attention do you give your horse's feet? Many times it's just the old once-over with the hoof pick ... until there's a problem. But hooves are the equine athlete's silent supports, absorbing and adapting ... Read full story
 1/1/2009
Barbaro Fund Supports Reseach Projects  *
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Dec. 5 that its subsidiary, NTRA Charities, has disbursed $90,801 in support of one new and two continuing equine medical research projects. The disbursements were made from the NTRA Charities - Barbaro Memorial Fund, established in memory of the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, who succumbed ... Read full story
 12/8/2008
Second Sound Horse Conference Planned for March 2009  *
Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) has announced the details of the second national conference on ending soring of Tennessee Walking Horses and all gaited horse breeds. The conference will be held March 20 and 21, 2009, at the Paramount Plaza Hotel in Gainesville, Fla. The purpose of the conference is to bring together a wide complement of experts, research ... Read full story
 10/30/2008
Owner Reflects on Big Brown's Injury, Career   *
One minute, Mike Iavarone was all smiles after watching Big Brown work a sharp six furlongs in 1:12 4/5 over the Aqueduct turf course in company with stablemate Kip Deville on Oct. 13, and the next he was announcing the colt's retirement. The excitement of the impending showdown with Curlin in the Breeders' Cup Classic gave way to the agony of seeing ... Read full story
 10/14/2008
Soring Inspections Stepped Up at Walking Horse Celebration  *
Compliance with the Horse Protection Act (HPA) appeared to decline at the 70th Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, dropping from 98% in 2007 to 95% at this year's event, according to USDA figures. The Celebration took place over 10 days in Shelbyville, Tenn., wrapping up Aug. 30. The HPA forbids soring, which is the use pain-causing chemicals, ... Read full story
 9/12/2008
New Soring Inspections Beef Up Celebration Plan  *
Exhibitors at the 70th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration will be scrutinized more closely than ever before. Officials and organizers have adopted new inspection measures to send the message that Horse Protection Act (HPA) violations will not be tolerated at the event. "We're aiming for 100% compliance," said Celebration Chief Executive ... Read full story
 8/13/2008
Petition Calls for End to Soring   *
An Illinois-based equine welfare organization has launched a Web-based petition campaign aimed at creating pressure to abolish the practice of soring in the gaited horse industry. "Our goal is to submit the petition to government representatives from Tennessee and Kentucky to increase the United States Department of Agriculture budget for inspections ... Read full story
 8/12/2008
AAEP Issues White Paper on Ending Soring  *
The American Association of Equine Practitioners' (AAEP) Tennessee Walking Horse Task Force has issued a white paper on ending soring of the breed’s show horses. The practice of inflicting pain on a horse’s forelegs to induce a higher-action gait has been illegal since the Horse Protection Act was passed by Congress in 1970. However, welfare and industry ... Read full story
 8/7/2008
Barefoot vs. Shod  *
This point/counterpoint discusses the controversial issue of whether horses need to wear shoes. Back in 2002, Tufts University hosted a seminar for farriers and veterinarians to review the barefoot hoof care methods devised by German veterinarian and author Hiltrud Strasser, Dr. med vet. Crossing paths at the conference were attendees Robert Cook, ... Read full story
 8/1/2008
Hoof Care: Addressing the Individual  *
We have greatly altered the lifestyle of our domesticated horses. These changes have had some negative impacts on the horse, one example of which is the health and quality of the hoof capsule. The majority of the equine population is overweight, underworked, and genetically selected for traits other than hoof capsule quality. This combination leaves ... Read full story
 8/1/2008
TheHorse.com Announces Four New Electronic Newsletters  *
TheHorse.com announces the addition of four new monthly electronic newsletters. These e-newsletters will contain articles, news, video links, tips, and links to downloadable information specific to the topics of nutrition, lameness/laminitis, preventive care, and breeding. Currently TheHorse.com publishes two weekly e-newsletters. The Horse Health ... Read full story
 7/29/2008
Readers Respond: Pain in the Abscess  *
More than 1,100 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "What challenges do you face when treating a hoof abscess?" Results were as follows: Repeated soaking required: 50.09% (556) Making a duct tape "boot" and keeping it on: 49.91% (554) No convenient way to treat: 27.48% (305) Amount of time it takes to wrap each ... Read full story
 7/24/2008
Walking Horse Exhibitors Withdraw from Show   *
Hundreds of trainers withdrew their horses from competition at a major Tennessee Walking Horse show last weekend after USDA inspectors arrived on the scene to examine horses for violations of the Horse Protection Act. According to Earl Rogers Jr., president of the Kentucky Walking Horse Association, the four-day Owingsville Lions Club Horse Show ... Read full story
 7/10/2008
Readers Respond: Tip Toes  *
Almost 1,500 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "What management methods does your hoof care professional use?" Results were as follows: Barefoot trim: 58.84% (875) Shoeing: 48.42% (720) Simple trim: 39.61% (589) Multiple selections were allowed. Results of weekly polls from TheHorse.com are published in The ... Read full story
 6/26/2008
Photo Series Shows Big Brown's Belmont Shoe Trouble   *
Each day brings new entries in the "Brown Shoe Diaries." The latest photos from the Belmont Stakes reveal Big Brown was stepped on by Guadalcanal leaving the gate, and that the shoe did not re-set itself during the race as previously thought; the colt ran the entire way with the shoe dislodged and the nail protruding from it. View a slideshow of ... Read full story
 6/24/2008
Readers Respond: Challenging Feet   *
More than 1,000 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "Do you think Big Brown's hoof issues might be a factor in his bid for the Triple Crown?" Results were as follows: No: 75.35% (761) Yes: 24.65% (249) Read about his feet in: Big Brown's Feet Not So Bad, Farriers Say. Results of weekly polls from TheHorse.com ... Read full story
 6/2/2008
Managing Acute and Chronic Laminitis   *
To a packed room of veterinarians at the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention in Orlando, Fla., Jim Belknap, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, an associate professor of veterinary clinical sciences from The Ohio State University's Galbreath Equine Center, and Rob Boswell, DVM, a practitioner with Palm Beach Equine Clinic in Wellington, ... Read full story
 6/1/2008
AAEP Including Farrier Session at 2008 Convention   *
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) will be offering a day of educational programming on farriery as part of its annual convention, which will take place in San Diego, Calif., Dec. 6-10, 2008. Topics will include an in-depth session on laminitis for the practitioner, foot lameness, and imaging. These sessions will provide two ... Read full story
 5/1/2008
Wooden Shoes for Chronic Laminitis  *
The chronically laminitic horse is often a very tough case to manage because displacement of the coffin bone within the foot leads to a lot of pain and damage, in addition to the damage that allowed the displacement in the first place. At the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla., Stephen O'Grady, ... Read full story
 4/23/2008
Study: Farrier Selection Impacts More Than Hoof Shape  *
Choice of farrier may have a significant influence not only on the shape of a horse's hoof, but its soundness and athletic ability as well, according to new research carried out by veterinarians in Switzerland. Forty dressage and show jumping horses, divided into six groups, were trimmed and shod by one of six selected farriers over a period of one ... Read full story
 3/21/2008
Biotin: Does it Work?
Here's what we know about the efficacy of this popular hoof supplement. Conditions such as chronic laminitis, cracked hooves, or dry, brittle feet incapable of holding shoes are a common and time-consuming problem for owners, trainers, and veterinarians. Biotin is a popular nutritional supplement administered to horses to promote and maintain ... Read full story
 3/1/2008
Healthy Hooves, Inside and Out
Do your horse’s hooves have these healthy characteristics? Much has been written about the equine foot, yet many of us know little about how it's really supposed to look and work. Sound horses don't all have the same size or shape feet (just like humans), and that fact often makes it more difficult to understand the healthy foot's form and function. ... Read full story
 3/1/2008
Grayson-Jockey Club Funding 24 Equine Research Projects  *
The board of directors of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation has approved a record allocation of $1,226,457 for equine research in 2008. The funds will underwrite a slate of 14 start-up projects and 10 second-year proposals. This marks the foundation's fourth consecutive year of record funding and the second consecutive year that it is providing ... Read full story
 2/15/2008
Landmarks for Evaluating, Trimming, and Shoeing the Equine Foot   *
From many horse owners' point of view, the farrier's profession throws out a lot of confusing terms and directives when it comes to balancing a foot. Fit the shoe full? Trim to the widest point of the frog? Use a four-point trim? These nebulous statements can place the horse owner in a precarious position, as it seems like everyone has a different ... Read full story
 12/19/2007
Laminitis Conference Ramps Up the Fight Against Foot Problems in Horses   *
Many of the top minds in laminitis research gathered Nov. 2-4 in West Palm Beach, Fla., to disseminate their findings on this devastating disease and other problems. About 370 veterinarians, farriers, and horse owners attended the Fourth International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot. "Due to the tragic demise of the great ... Read full story
 11/20/2007
Shoeless and Satisfied  *
I must take exception to comments by Stephen E. O'Grady, DVM, MRCVS, in "Barefoot vs. Shod: An Equine Podiatrist's Perspective" online at www.TheHorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=9796. Nails are not "toxic," but shoeing is an invasive procedure. Infection can occur when nails penetrate corium and/or white line. Perforations weaken anything, including hooves ... Read full story
 9/1/2007
Where Does It Hurt?  *
One of the most frustrating aspects of diagnosing and treating lameness in horses is that they can't tell you where it hurts. But a relatively new technology to the equine world is helping some veterinarians pinpoint lameness problems. Bruce Lyle, DVM, a veterinarian who focuses on foot care in Aubrey, Texas, has been using a Matscan pressure measurement ... Read full story
 8/27/2007
AAEP 2006: Barefoot versus Shod Table Topic   *
Steve O'Grady, DVM, MRCVS, of Northern Virginia Equine in Marshall, and Dan Marks, VMD, of Santa Fe, N.M., led a table topic discussion at the 2006 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention in San Antonio, Texas, held Dec. 2-6, on the merits and disadvantages of leaving a horse barefoot or shod. O'Grady recognized that shoes change the ... Read full story
 7/25/2007
Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium: Correcting Crushed Heels  *
We've all seen them, and many of us have owned them--those horses with no heels to speak of. We know that "strong" heels are important for soundness, but what can we do to rebuild those crushed, underrun heels? At the 2007 Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium, Richard Mansmann, VMD, PhD, clinical professor and director of the North Carolina State University ... Read full story
 5/1/2007
The Quest to Conquer Laminitis  *
"Owners and trainers worldwide have the feeling that every veterinarian and every farrier have years of experience and vast knowledge about laminitis and podiatry (foot care). Unfortunately, this is not the case," said Ric Redden, DVM, founder of the International Equine Podiatry Center in Versailles, Ky., and host of the Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium, ... Read full story
 5/1/2007
AAEP Convention 2006: Lameness  *
Oral Joint Supplements: Do They Work? In 2005, nutraceutical sales reached more than $1 billion for companion animals. That number is expected to double in the next three years. To veterinarians, this is a disturbing trend for an industry that, for the most part, is unregulated by the FDA and has little scientific basis. Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, ... Read full story
 3/1/2007
Readers Vote: Top Hoof Issues  *
A poll of readers showed laminitis, navicular disease, and barefoot vs. shod were their top issues involving horse feet. When horse owners were asked in a poll on TheHorse.com, “What do you think are the top problems relating to the health of a horse’s foot,” we received answers that might surprise you. Of nearly 1,500 respondents, more than ... Read full story
 1/28/2007
Insured Geldings, Mares At Greater Risk of Death Than Stallions  *
Swedish researchers examining the five-year survival rates of insured Warmbloods found that geldings and mares have a greater mortality risk than stallions. They also found that horses with a history of "costly veterinary events" were at a greater risk for death than horses without such a history. Researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural ... Read full story
 11/9/2006
Chill Out on Hoof Care Concerns
Whether winter means a well-deserved break for your horse or the start of the "snowbird circuit," your horse's hooves might need some special "seasonal" attention. Exactly what adjustments you'll want to make depends on the type of winter weather you endure, how much and where you ride, and, of course, your individual horse. In this article, Certified ... Read full story
 11/1/2006
Misplaced Nail
Q: Two days after my farrier shod my mare, she became lame on a front hoof. I pulled the shoe and put a boot on her until he could return. However, when I pulled the shoe, I saw that he had put two nails in too high. She is painful and won't put any weight on it at all. How long will this go on? Richard, via e-mail A: Lameness and infection ... Read full story
 9/1/2006
AAEP Hosts Farriers Meeting at Convention  *
A first-time educational event for farriers will be held in conjunction with the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) convention in San Antonio, Texas, on Dec. 3-6. This special program just for farriers will consist of multiple sessions devoted to the equine foot.. Horse owners and veterinarians should pass this information along to ... Read full story
 8/11/2006
Daily Hoof Washing?  *
I have heard horses should get their feet washed every day, and that this is called the natural moisturizing cycle for hooves. In the horses you have observed in the wild, do they wet their feet every day? If so, please explain how they do it? via e-mail Horses and ponies that I have observed living in natural environments do have wet feet a ... Read full story
 8/1/2006
Analysis of Soring Data from 2002-2005   *
Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) has analyzed data from over 2,800 suspensions imposed by the USDA and Horse Industry Organizations (HIOs) under the Horse Protection Operating Plans since 2002. Horse Protection Act (HPA) violations that resulted in the suspensions include soring, scarring, pressure shoeing, and the use of foreign substances on horses' ... Read full story
 5/31/2006
The 18th Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium Returns in 2007  *
The 18th Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium will return to Louisville, Ky., in 2007 with a full slate of international speakers sharing information on the diagnosis and treatment of laminitis and other diseases involving the equine foot. The Symposium is slated for Jan. 25-28, 2007 at the Galt House Hotel & Suites and is open to the public. Topics ... Read full story
 5/12/2006
Hurricane Pony Receives Prosthetic Limb, Helps Kids  *
Molly, a 15-year-old Appaloosa pony, survived Hurricane Katrina when it hit Louisiana. She was rescued from her pasture near New Orleans after the storm and given a new home with Pony Paradise. However, Molly's storm tragedy didn't end there; a rescued pit bull that had shown no previous aggressive tendencies attacked her and several other ponies, ... Read full story
 5/11/2006
Researchers Explain Short Shoeing Intervals  *
Farriers and veterinarians have said for years that shoeing intervals should be at most six to eight weeks, but why? Researchers from the Equine Performance Laboratory at Utrecht University (Netherlands) say it's because horses must compensate for the extra hoof growth by lowering the coffin joint angle, which places additional strain on their deep ... Read full story
 5/1/2006
AAEP Convention 2005: Foot Lameness Table Topic  *
About 75 people attended the Foot Lameness Table Topic during the AAEP Convention. It was moderated by Andy Parks, VMD, of the University of Georgia, and Tracy Turner, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, a private practitioner in Minnesota.One of the first topics was collateral ligament desmitis, which everyone agreed was difficult to diagnose. "Getting consistent ... Read full story
 2/17/2006
AAEP Convention 2005: Lameness in Racehorses  *
Inconsistencies in racetrack surfaces account for a large number of lamenesses in racehorses, said Jeff Blea, DVM, of the Southern California Equine Foundation in Arcadia, Calif., during the Lameness in Racehorses Forum held at the 51st Annual AAEP Convention, in Seattle, Wash., Dec. 3-7, 2005. "Even though they are at the same track, the consistency ... Read full story
 2/17/2006
Forelimb Lameness Common in Barrel Horses   *
A Texas A&M University (TAMU) study has found that horses used for barrel racing were more often lame in their forelimbs than horses used for other disciplines. The study examined 118 Quarter Horses and Appendix Quarter Horses brought to TAMU for lameness and performance problems. The study results were published in the Nov. 15, 2005, edition of ... Read full story
 2/1/2006
Helping Horses Worldwide  *
As a responsible horse owner, you make management decisions that affect the current well-being of your horse and his future vitality. You order low-dust bedding for your gelding with heaves. Your veterinarian arrives for her scheduled visit and you observe as she administers your mare's autumn vaccinations. You keep the new pony that shipped in yesterday ... Read full story
 11/1/2005
At What Age to Shoe?  *
Questions involving the ifs and whens to shoe horses have been debated for years. There are those who will argue that a horse's foot should not have metal attached via nails under any circumstances, while others will opt for shoeing certain horses at a very early age. As is often the case, the proper approach is somewhere in between. There are horses ... Read full story
 9/1/2005
Surgery Treats Hock Arthritis  *
Osteoarthritis of one of the joints within the hock (the talocalcaneal joint) is a rare cause of acute onset of severe lameness, but clinical findings and diagnostic analgesia (such as blocking a joint) often fail to identify precisely the site of pain. Roger Smith, MA, VetMB, PhD, DEO, Dipl. ECVS, MRCVS, professor of equine orthopedics in the Department ... Read full story
 7/13/2005
To Shoe or Not to Shoe?  *
They are questions most horse owners have pondered at one time or another. Does my horse really need shoes? Do they help or hinder him? There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Consideration must be given to several factors, including a horse's job, how much he's used, what type of foot he has, and the climate and terrain to which he's exposed. And ... Read full story
 5/1/2005
Hoof Boots: Protection Without Permanence  *
We all need protection from the elements. That goes for your horse's hooves as well. Millennia ago, when humans first vaulted aboard equine backs and guided them over terrain they probably would not otherwise have traversed, the value of providing protection for hooves became clear--as the leather "hipposandals" and early iron shoes unearthed by archaeologists ... Read full story
 3/3/2005
Dealing with a Broken Foot (Coffin Bone Fractures)  *
When it comes to caring for your horses, you have a lot to think about--diet, training, exercise, and welfare. You don't have to tell us he's worth it (although you think twice on the days he snorts on your white shirt). But there is one part of caring for a horse that every owner dreads and most likely still experiences: Lameness. It can occur for ... Read full story
 11/1/2004
Second International Hoof-Care Summit Looks To Bolster Industry Standards  *
Many of the leading farriers and equine veterinarians from around the United States and the world will again join hundreds of other hoof-care professionals at the second annual International Hoof-Care Summit to be held at the Cincinnati Convention Center and the Hilton Hotel, Jan. 26-29, 2005. Registration remains open to farriers, equine veterinarians, ... Read full story
 10/25/2004
Lameness and Pelvic Height  *
The results of a recent study published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research suggest that hind limb lameness in the horse can be evaluated most effectively and objectively by measuring changes in pelvic height during trotting. Accurate assessment of lameness in horses is essential for making the correct diagnosis and deciding on the proper ... Read full story
 10/12/2004
MRI Reveals Heel Problems   *
Equine foot problems come in a variety of forms, but they have one thing in common: They all pose a concern for the horse owner because without healthy feet, a horse's ability to do much of anything is severely compromised. The old expression "no foot, no horse" was appropriate when coined, and it remains so today. Technological advances have greatly ... Read full story
 9/1/2004
Smarty Jones Retired Due to Bone Bruises  *
Go Smarty Go--To Stud at Three Chimneys Farm By Ron Mitchell and Evan Hammonds Smarty Jones, the Elusive Quality colt whose quest for the Triple Crown came up short in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), has been retired due to bone bruises in all four cannon bones caused by his rigorous campaign at ages two and three. ANNE EBERHARDT Smarty Jones ... Read full story
 8/4/2004
Advanced Diagnostics   *
Lameness is one of the most common problems encountered in equine veterinary medicine. The majority of lameness cases are localized to areas within the distal limb; however, the sources, causes, and locations of lameness are diverse. The cause of lameness in horses can be quite complex and often hard to determine. In addition to traditional methods ... Read full story
 6/1/2004
Why Horses Stumble   *
Some horses stumble or stub their front toes frequently, with the toe hitting the ground while the knee is still bent and the leg collapses instead of taking weight. The horse's head and neck drop down, but he usually catches himself by rapidly extending the other leg. Most of these horses are not lame, yet might occasionally fall to their knees or ... Read full story
 6/1/2004
Foot Care for Foals  *
A foal's future performance in competition, or as a pleasure riding companion, depends in large part on how his feet are cared for in the first six months of his life. Normally, hoof care for a foal is best started at 30 days, according to Stephen O'Grady, DVM, MRCVS, a professional farrier with Northern Virginia Equine in The Plains, Va. ANNE ... Read full story
 6/1/2004
Surgery for Septic Osteitis?
I read "Septic Osteitis--One Laminitis Complication." My horse has this, and I don't think my vet has had much experience in this and feels that surgery would be detrimental. I'd like to talk to someone with more experience, maybe the vet interviewed in the article, for more information. Jeanna If the bone infection is related to laminitis/founder, ... Read full story
 5/1/2004
Managing Thin, Shelly Feet  *
Poor genetics, environment, nutrition, and foot care are the main causes of thin, shelly feet according to Ken Marcella, DVM, and farrier Jaye Perry. Marcella co-owns Chattahoochee Equine in Canton, Ga., and Perry, a farrier based in Cumming, Ga., has a large clientele of hunter-jumper and endurance horses as well as pleasure horses. Both men have ... Read full story
 3/1/2004
International Hoof-Care Summit Succeeds With Innovative Format  *
More than 500 farriers, equine veterinarians and other hoof-care professionals filled the lecture halls and meeting rooms of the first annual International Hoof-Care Summit, held Feb. 4 through 7 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The success of the Summit marks a milestone in the equine hoof-care industry because of the event's unusual format. The Summit broke ... Read full story
 2/25/2004
Nutrient Requirements of the Foot  *
"The hoof is a truly dynamic architecture, and its nutrient supply is critical for its strength and function," said Connie Swenson, PhD, research nutritionist with Zinpro Corporation, at the Second International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot (held Nov. 10-11 in West Palm Beach, Fla.). "It bears the physical demands of weight ... Read full story
 2/23/2004
AAEP 2003: Podiatry Forum  *
While some forum discussions at the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) annual convention are fairly small affairs, that wasn't true of the 2003 podiatry forum. About 65 veterinarians and farriers filled the room to discuss diagnostic analgesia, pads, Strasser trimming, ultrasound, and much more. Tracy Turner, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, ... Read full story
 2/3/2004
Evaluating and Measuring Hoof Shape   *
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, recently developed a new three-dimensional system for measuring various aspects of the horse's sole. One day their work might help ascertain if hoof shape abnormalities can be predictors of impending injury. Additionally, the system might help researchers design new footwear and/or evaluate the foot ... Read full story
 2/1/2004
The Basics of Breakover   *
What exactly is breakover? Most would answer that it is the horse's heel lifting off the ground and rotating over the toe as his foot leaves the ground. Breakover is simple in its definition, but pretty complex in its implications for your horse's movement and soundness. And there's not a lot of research out there yet to clearly define the best breakover ... Read full story
 11/1/2003
Foot Dialogue Feeds the Mind   *
Purina Mills nutritionist Randal Raub, PhD, began his lecture at the 2003 Purina Farriers' Conference with a little-known statistic--horse owners are most likely to discuss their horses' nutrition with their veterinarians, followed by their farriers. Moreover, farriers notice weight gain or loss in the horses they shoe, since they see them regularly. ... Read full story
 11/1/2003
Anatomy of a Trim  *
Why do we ask farriers to take knives and nippers (and sometimes a whole lot more) to our horses' feet every six weeks? For many of us, it has always been just one of those things you knew you had to do if you had horses. And we might have also wondered how to evaluate the trim when it was done. To trim or not to trim, and how to trim correctly, ... Read full story
 8/1/2003
Ringbone and Sidebone   *
Back when the sound of heavy, steel-shod hooves rang out on cobblestone streets, every horse owner was familiar with the signs--heat, swelling, shortened or shuffling stride, and the bony ridges developing where all used to be smooth and sleek. Ringbone and sidebone, two closely related orthopedic problems of the lower limbs, used to be considered ... Read full story
 7/1/2003
Stop Problems Before They Start  *
Thought you knew the latest in keeping your horse healthy from head to toe? Think again! Richard Mansmann, VMD, PhD, from Central Carolina Equine Practice in Chapel Hill, N.C., is using a preventive foot care program that's designed to detect early and/or prevent foot problems that could limit performance in horses. This program involves at least an ... Read full story
 6/1/2003
Not-So-Fleet Feet  *
When a performance horse slowly goes off form, any number of things can be the cause. Could he have ulcers? Is he being overtrained? Is something subtle and mysterious going on with his metabolism? The problem could be much simpler than that--his feet might just hurt. A racehorse’s feet and legs are subjected to unbelievably high stresses during racing. ... Read full story
 4/29/2003
Pat Parelli: Anvil Side Manner  *
"For seven years in a row, I've been voted the world's worst shoer," joked world-renowned clinician Pat Parelli at the 16th annual Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium Jan. 16-18 in Louisville, Ky., to begin a discussion on "Anvil Side Manner." "Why do you guys want to shoe horses, anyway?" Various attendees answered that they began horseshoeing because ... Read full story
 4/14/2003
Pat Parelli on Shoeing Difficult Horses   *
"Usually you shoe horses that are against you, right?" asked world-renowned clinician Pat Parelli at the 16th annual Bluegrass Laminitis symposium Jan. 16-18 in Louisville, Ky. "You're on opposite teams. And when push comes to shove, the horse wins when it comes to shove. "I'm kind of ashamed of the horse industry compared to other professional industries," ... Read full story
 4/3/2003
New Text Examines Equine Lameness   *
The long-awaited reference Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse was recently released by Elsevier Science. The book was co-authored by Mike W. Ross, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, of the University of Pennsylvania's school of veterinary medicine; and Sue J. Dyson, FRCVS, of the Center for Equine Studies at the Animal Health Trust in the United Kingdom. ... Read full story
 4/1/2003
Speed Limit  *
The racing Thoroughbred is trapped between a rock and a hard place. The rock is speed, which evolved slowly by natural selection for 50 million years, then rapidly by human hand the last 500. The hard place is where we find our ward today, beset by vulnerable feet, a grain-bothered gut, hot behavior, bleeding lungs, a sloping vulva, gastric ulcers, ... Read full story
 3/5/2003
Lower Limb Research--Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium  *
Probably the foremost biomechanics researcher in the country, Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS, McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine, McPhail Equine Performance Center, discussed recent lower limb research during the 16th annual Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium. Some of the studies she described were performed in collaboration with researchers ... Read full story
 3/4/2003
10 Tips on Getting Ready for Spring  *
You can feel it. You can smell it. Spring is in the air. Oh, to be sure, we aren't finished with cold weather in many parts of the country, but it won't be long before we will be ready to head out trail riding or be off on the spring horse show circuit. It's time to take a good look at our equine companion or companions and find out if they are as ... Read full story
 3/1/2003
AAEP Convention: Fractures of the Distal Phalanx   *
Fractures of the distal phalanx (also known as P3 or the coffin bone) are common, especially in racehorses, noted Tara S. Rabuffo, DVM, of the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center. She and her colleagues reviewed case records and all related diagnostic materials on 73 racehorses (26 Thoroughbred and 47 Standardbred during an 11-year period) ... Read full story
 2/25/2003
AAEP 2002: Kester News Hour  *
Probably the best-attended session of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) annual convention, the Kester News Hour provides brief reports of studies that were too new or too brief to be included in the longer scientific sessions. Larry Bramlage, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, the president-elect of the AAEP and a surgeon at the Rood and Riddle ... Read full story
 2/3/2003
Foot Work: Training for Hoof Care   *
My only horse finally lived out his days with me last fall. He died peacefully at the great old age of 32 years. He had been with me through thick and thin for 21 years, and was a sweetheart of a horse. He came to me completely broke and was always easy. His only issue was his hind feet--he just didn't want anyone messing with them. Even for a trim ... Read full story
 2/1/2003
Veterinarian/Farrier Relationship   *
The Practice Act laws state that only veterinarians can diagnose and treat health problems. The veterinarian has to keep records related to each visit and also must protect the confidentiality of your horse's records, and is the steward of that information for you. Veterinarians are required to have a great deal of education, but often not a great ... Read full story
 1/1/2003
One Step at a Time  *
How hard are you really working to understand what makes a foot healthy, and what's happening that could cause problems? Training yourself to observe--not just see--the horse's foot is the first step. Each person involved with a horse, whether it's the groom, owner, farrier, or veterinarian, needs to be able to recognize subtle differences today that ... Read full story
 1/1/2003
Hoof Dressings: What Studies Show   *
Hoof dressings aren't always what they're cracked up to be--at least not in the opinions of some experts. Ilka P. Wagner, DVM, owner of Equine Veterinary Services (Texas), and Susan Kempson, BSc, PhD, senior lecturer in Preclinical Veterinary Sciences in the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh, have studied the ... Read full story
 10/1/2002
Putting Equine Podiatrists in Their "Right Minds"  *
While most people don't consider equine podiatry an artistic profession, Ric Redden, DVM, owner of the International Equine Podiatry Center and organizer/chief instructor of the first In-Depth Equine Podiatry Course going on this week, heartily disagrees. "We're trying to teach these students (which include some veterinarians and farriers who have ... Read full story
 7/31/2002
Forging in Young Horses
My trainer says that my 1 1/2-year-old Thoroughbred colt is forging, but only at the trot. Is there something that can be done to correct this problem (i.e., specific exercises)? Is this common in young horses? Carol My first thought would be to make sure, through the trainer, that this colt is in fact "forging." The term means that the toe of ... Read full story
 7/1/2002
New Focus on the Foot  *
No foot, no horse; these words are as true today as they were two hundred years ago. But during that time, the horse has gone from being a "beast of burden" as the major means of transportation to a leisure animal--one that we ride for pleasure whether it is in competition or on a weekend trail ride. One constant during this time is that the horse ... Read full story
 7/1/2002
Hoofcare Education at Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium  *
One of the most common comments at the 15th annual Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 21-23, 2002, was that if farriers or veterinarians don't have a passion for working on laminitic horses, they shouldn't take the cases. Horse owners know that a laminitic horse is a high-maintenance case in terms of treatment and convalescent care, ... Read full story
 4/1/2002
Combat Stiffness  *
Day after day, you battle with your horse to get the correct left bend. Or maybe the trouble comes when you ask him to pick up the right lead, push off his hind end, or stretch out into a longer stride. Instead of a willing response, all you get is resistance. You assume you're facing a training obstacle, and you try to push both of you on through ... Read full story
 4/1/2002
Tufts Conference to Examine Risks and Benefits of Barefoot Hoofcare Methods   *
A unique seminar will be held at Tufts University May 4-5 to review the controversial barefoot hoof care methods put forth by German veterinarian and author Hiltrud Strasser, DVM. In England, concern about harm to horses by Strasser devotees has resulted in public warnings from the International League for the Protection of Horses, Farriers Registration ... Read full story
 4/1/2002
Emergency Shoe Removal   *
Everyone who owns a shod horse will have that horse lose a shoe at some point. Popped clinches, missing nails, interference from one limb to another, or an overreach can cause a shoe to come off. It might be a nuisance, but the shoe normally pulls off completely when it catches on something solid. A lost shoe doesn't cause much more than an annoyance ... Read full story
 3/1/2002
Ketoprofen Side Effects?
Q. I have a 9-year-old Quarter Horse gelding with caudal heel pain or possible navicular syndrome, and he is becoming more dependent on painkillers. The trouble with phenylbutazone (Bute) is that he is starting to have some gut ache and loss of appetite. So when I read your article on ketoprofen ("Drugs and Pain" in the March 1997 issue of The Horse, ... Read full story
 1/1/2002
Hoof Pads for Healing  *
They come with an assortment of labels: "high-tech hoof pads," "comfort system pads," "hoof support systems," etc. They come in a variety of thicknesses and materials. But by whatever they’re dubbed, these designer pads have two things in common: They are constructed of space-age materials, and they’re used for addressing various physical problems. ... Read full story
 11/1/2001
Foal Hoof Care  *
Among the many factors that determine the success of a foal as a sales yearling or as a mature athlete are management decisions about its feet and limbs during its first four months of life. Because a solid foundation for performance in the future begins with foot care in the foal, many leading breeding farms use programs that combine the knowledge ... Read full story
 10/18/2001
Central Kentucky to Get Reproduction/Podiatry Center  *
Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital has begun construction on a new facility that will be home to a podiatry center and a stallion and mare reproduction center. The facility’s new 20-stall barn will be completed by December 15, and the main facility should be finished by March 15. Scott Morrison, DVM, a veterinarian with training in foot care, will head ... Read full story
 10/5/2001
Nail-Quicked  *
Shoeing is necessary to protect the hooves of many hard-working horses, and nails are of course an important part of the process. Ideally, horseshoe nails enter the outer hoof wall, which lies adjacent to the "quick," or the sensitive laminae inside the hoof capsule. Occasionally, however, a nail is placed wrong and enters or presses against the sensitive ... Read full story
 10/1/2001
Final NAHMS Equine '98 Study Information Released   *
Lameness ranks as the most expensive health issue for horse owners nationwide (as compared to colic and EPM), according to the United States Department of Agriculture's National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) Equine '98 Study. NAHMS recently released four information sheets pertaining to equine health. These are the final products of the Equine ... Read full story
 1/1/2001
Six Farriers Chosen For Hall Of Fame   *
Six world-class, highly dedicated farriers have been elected to a top industry honor by the toughest crowd of all other world-class farriers. The International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame Class of 2000 includes Dick Harris of South English, Iowa; Jack MacAllan of East Lansing, Mich. (deceased); Grant Moon of Cheltenman, Glostershire, England; Harry ... Read full story
 12/16/1999
Pattern Of Bone Injury In The Jumping Horse   *
Nuclear scintigraphy is a technique used to identify areas of increased bone material turnover. This remodeling of bone can occur in response to growth, fracture, increased loading due to exercise, infection, cancer or arthritis. Scintigraphy has become a valuable tool in the location and identification of bone injuries in horses.The technique of nuclear ... Read full story
 6/11/1999
OSU College of Vet Med Acquires Gait Force Analyzer To Help Quantify Lameness   *
Staff members at Oklahoma State University's Boren Veterinary Medical Hospital collect data from the new gait force analyzer. The technology helps veterinarians assess the degree of lameness in animals.Thanks to a new piece of technology in OSU's College of Veterinary Medicine, veterinarians will now be able to quantify the degree of lameness in animals ... Read full story
 2/26/1999
A New Theory About Equine Foot Physiology   *
A Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine researcher has pieced together a new picture of equine foot physiology that suggests vascular systems in horse hooves function in much the same way that air- or gel-filled shoes do. “Moving liquids are the best way to dissipate energy, “ said Robert Bowker, a professor in the College of Veterinary ... Read full story
 10/30/1998
Dancing in the Dark: Soft Tissue Injuries in the Equine Foot  *
You know he's off. You can feel it. Your trainer says it's easy to see. Your vet says, "Hmmmm..." as she looks at the expensive radiographs hanging on the viewer. "I didn't think we'd see much," she says sympathetically. "It's probably just soft tissue. We'll just have to wait and see." Wait and see? Your horse means the world to you, and he's ... Read full story
 2/1/1998
Horseshoeing's Legacy Preserved   *
Briefly, the legacy of horseshoeing was on display for all to see at the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, Ky. In July of 1992, the museum honored farriers with a display called "They Shoe Horses, Don't They?" Just over seven months later, however, the tribute was dismantled and the decades of farriers' achievements became only memories for the ... Read full story
 12/1/1997




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