Balanced Stride

These topics and others will constantly be added and expanded upon to allow you to gain an increased base of information to allow you a better relationship and understanding of your horse and the horse industry.

Directory of Topics

Equine Hoof Care | Products | Why do we shoe Horses? | Why do we re-shoe Horses? | What questions do you ask a farrier?

 The purpose of Horse Evaluation | Presenting a Horse to the Farrier | Handling a Horse for the Farrier |Hoof Neglect

 Disadvantages of Hoof Neglect | Advantages of Proper Hoof Care |Four Basic Types of Hooves | The Proper Shoe

What is the Proper Shoe? | Clips on Horseshoes? | Why Handmade Horseshoes aren't used | Avoiding Hoof Care Problems

Why do People Only Shoe Half of their Horses? | Conclusions

Equine Hoof Care

PROBLEMS WITH FEET AND LEGS

1.      A majority of horse owners/trainers/agents, etc., base their choice of a horseshoer on the following:

a). Low price. b). No lost shoes. c). Large quantity of horses shod per day (fast) d). Compatible personality ("nice guy", massage ego).  e). Prompt service (because horses are past due ~ neglect) f). Shoe for the customer rather than the horse. g). Credibility by association (works for known trainer or barn or personality).

2.      Horse is Too fat!

3.      Not enough exercise.

4.      Lack of knowledge.

5.      Answers by the wrong people (not by professional farrier)

6.      Unsanitary conditions.

7.      Not getting professional help.

8.      Not budgeting for proper hoof care.

9.      Not buying and/or raising good legged and footed horses in the first place.

10.  Horse owners telling farriers when to arrive, when to shoe and how often.

11.  NEGLECT -- overdue  -- when? (The American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Farriers Association agree that 80% of all lame horses are due to owner neglect and/or improper hoof care).

12.  People tell you that they have good-footed horses, when in reality they have poor footed horses.

13.  Tradition -- people get to accept "bad" things as good.

14.  Veterinarians get very little instruction on the equine foot in school.

15.  Inconsistent shoeing  -- people switching farriers.

16.  Horse not suited for job it is being asked to perform.

17.  Poor working conditions for farrier.

18.  Poor mannered horse.

19.  Not staying in touch with basic fundamentals.

20.  "Add-ons"  --  wedge pads, borium, etc.

21.  Hoof products --  hoof dressings, etc.

22.  Misleading marketing: shoes, feed, horseshoers, and veterinarians.

23.  The poorer horseshoers are attracted to customers using the above criteria.

24.  If you have to tell your horseshoer how to shoe, you don't need him/her; If you think you know more than you farrier, but truly don't, the farrier doesn't need you.

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Products

For example:  Hoof Dressing  ~~  Someone decides that the horse needs hoof dressing .........    Why?

1.      Hooves are too dry?

2.      Your friends use it?

3.      You think it looks good?

4.      Someone told you it was good for the horse?

Now you go get some:

1.      Takes time to go to the store.

2.      You have to buy it  =  $.

3.      You usually have to buy some sort of applicator  =  $.

4.      Takes time to apply it to the hooves.

* Note:     Dr. Susan Kempson of England has done a series of research studies using an electron microscope, investigating the use of hoof dressing.

After applying hoof dressing:

1.      Tissue softens.

2.      More susceptible to disease.

3.      Hoof looses its wear ability.

4.      You had a good footed horse, now they are a poor footed horse.

5.      The horse might have been able to go barefoot but now it needs shoes.

>>>>>> HIGHER MAINTENANCE COST <<<<<< = $

Anything that you apply to a horse's hoof and be detrimental    ---   EVEN WATER!

There should be a factual reason for everything done to a horse's foot!

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Why do we shoe horses?

1.      Protection

2.      Traction

3.      Faulty Conformation.

4.      Cure or improve disease.

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When do we re-shoe (reset) a horse?

1.      Excessive hoof growth.

2.      Loose or worn shoe.

3.      Fault in gait.

4.      Balance.

5.      Any malfunction of hoof or limb.

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What questions do you ask a prospective farrier?      (questions to ask in red)

1.      Look up farrier in the AFA directory (easiest)

2.      Are you an upgraded Journeyman Farrier?

§         Do you know anatomy/physiology?

§         Are they proficient in the specific areas that you require... 

§         Do they meet you specific needs as far as experience, etc.

3.      Do you hot fit the shoes?

4.      Do you hot seat the shoe?

5.      Are the majority of your shoes handmade?

§         If not, do they use a forge to shape their shoes ...

6.      How long have you been shoeing?

7.      What is your experience and/or background in the horse industry?

8.      How many hours do you spend at clinic and seminars each years?

9.      How much time do you allot to shoe each horse?

10.  Do you put the horses that you shoe on a regular schedule?

11.  What do you expect from your clients?

12.  What is your fee?

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The purposes for a horse evaluation.

1.      Safety.

2.      To check for soundness.

3.      To reduce liability (for horse and people).

4.      To see if the horse ties.

5.      To ascertain the manners of the horse.

6.      To look for response/communication between horse and handler.

7.      To evaluate locomotion (check for faults in gaits).

8.      Evaluation is applicable for: a). Farrier. b). Veterinarian c). Horse buyer. d). Breed evaluation/grading.

9.      To observe handler/agent/owner's:  a). Abilities.  b). Limitations.  c). Knowledge.  d). Control.

10.  Could increase the marketability of the horse.

11.  Decrease the need for restraints.

12.  Show that people have enough care/respect to put the effort into working with their horse.

13.  Shows that the farrier cares and is interested in shoeing your horse.

14.  Will get better service (better farrier will choose to work for clients with well mannered horses).

15.  The farrier can do a better job, and will want to come back.

16.  It takes less time to shoe the horse.

17.  Less expensive.

18.  You will develop a reputation for being a good horse person.

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Presenting a horse to the farrier.

1.       The owner should be responsible for providing an agent or someone to be responsible for the horse if they cannot be present.  This agent is also responsible for the behavior of the horse and the safety of the farrier.

2.       Catch the horse.  The halter should fit properly and be in good repair and the lead rope should be 12 to 18 feet long.

3.       Tie the horse.  If the horse ties, they should be tied to a suitable tie ring or rail, or cross-tied, in a suitable horseshoeing area.  If the horse does not tie, a horse handler/holder should be provided.

4.       Equipment should be removed from the horse.  a). Blankets.  As the horse lifts its back legs for the farrier to work on, its legs could become entangled in the blanket straps; therefore blankets should be removed for safety reasons.   b). Saddle/Tack.  The farrier needs to see the horse's body conformation as well as the legs to better access the horse's horseshoeing and trimming needs.    c). Leg Wraps/Support Wraps.  Wraps of any kind restrict the circulation of the horse's foot and leg.  The exception to this would be if a veterinarian wrapped the leg for an injury.

5.       Fly spray the horse.

6.       The horse should be clean, especially the feet and the legs.

7.       The horse must stand calmly and be well mannered enough to have its feet worked on.  There are three things a horse must do to be shod: a). Their mind must be in neutral,  b). They have to be able to stand on three legs, and  c). They have to be able to withstand concussion on the bottom of their feet.

When you provide the farrier with a well behaved, clean horse, a suitable horseshoeing area and a good horse handler/holder you are most likely to receive the following benefits:

1.       A good quality horseshoeing job and good service.

2.       Safety for all involved, including the horse.

3.       Protection for your investment.

4.       It will be easier for you to find and keep a good farrier.

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Holding and handling a horse for the farrier.

1.       Ask the farrier how he/she would like you to hold the horse.

2.       The handler should stand on the same side of the horse as the farrier. This is done for three reasons:     a). Horses have binocular vision.  This means that they see two different fields of view.  What they see out of one eye is completely different than what they see out of the other eye.  By standing on the same side as the farrier, the horse's attention is kept on the side that is being worked on. b). The horse is able to balance easier.  Their body will be arched away from the farrier. c). Safety.  If for any reason that the horse spooks or bolts, they will be more inclined to jump away from the farrier and the handler rather than over the top of the farrier.

3.       The handler/holder must take their job seriously and remain attentive.  The handler/holder should be aware of the environment around the horse.  The handler/holder should not be distracted by ringing telephones or talking to others, etc.

4.       Move and talk quietly to the horse.

5.       There should be open communication between the farrier and the horse handler/holder.  The handler/holder should be knowledgeable about the horse that is being shod or trimmed and about the facility in which it is kept.  a). Be honest with the farrier.  Tell them if the horse has a history of biting or kicking, for example.   b). Know what the horse is being used for and how they are traveling.  Know what needs to be done to the horse.  c). Know where the electrical outlets and light switches are as well as a water source.

6.       Keep the shoeing floor and area swept and the manure picked up.

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Hoof Neglect

Both the American Farriers Association and the American Association of Equine Practitioners have stated that up to 80% of American horses suffer from neglected feet.  The foremost reason for this is misinformation and a lack of education in the horse industry.  Neglect comes in many forms from both horse owners and horseshoers.  The first step that horse people must take is they can not recognize poor hoof care, is to seek the advise of a qualified farrier.

In hoof care one must take their individual horse into consideration.  A person who buys a poor footed horse who has thin walls for example, may need to shoe their horse every four weeks because the walls does not have enough strength to support the horse or the shoe.

A better legged and footed horse may be able to be put on a six week horseshoeing schedule.  Younger horses who needs shoes because of being in training or being poor footed will need to be shod more often.  Performance horses, in most cases, can go on longer than four weeks without being reshod.

The longer a horse goes in a horseshoeing period, the more out of balance the horse will become.  This may show up in some horses by faults in gait which can lead to more permanent soft tissue damage such as bowed tendons.

When a horse suffers a breakdown from neglect, the damage incurred may require special attention from a professional farrier or even a veterinarian, which may become very costly and may never be fully resolved.  This situation might be avoided if the horse received proper foot care on a regular basis.

The following chart is to indicate the recovery period and cost involved with returning a neglected horse to their natural hoof status.  

The top of the chart shows a healthy condition of the foot ~ the bottom of the chart shows an unhealthy condition of the foot. In most cases today the unhealthy condition is the point that the farrier does start at and must work up the chart to a healthy condition. As you can see that as the horse is put into a proper program of correct and balanced foot care the condition improves with time. In some programs (as explained by the chart below) the initial situation calls for the horse to be shod each four week cycle for a total of twenty weeks. This is done to give the greatest amount of progress in the time allotted for the total progression program.

It can take 4 to 5 horseshoeing cycles to restore a horse's feet to normal condition.

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Disadvantages of neglected feet.

1.       When a horse is neglected they lose their essential hoof physiology.

2.       Lameness of the horse.

3.       Increased veterinarian, farrier, training and feed costs.

4.       Performance and attitude of horse will suffer because of being uncomfortable or sore.

5.       Horse's hoof, cosmetically, looks poorer.

6.       Not as much incentive for farrier to do good work, and farriers tend to avoid owners who neglect their horses' feet.

7.       Farrier could compromise good horseshoeing principles to shoe for customers who tend to neglect their horses' feet (using bigger nails for example).

8.       The owner's lack of knowledge is indicated by neglected feet.  For example, potential buyers, judges, other farriers, veterinarians and other knowledgeable horse people may assume from looking at neglected feet and other general management practices have also been overlooked.

WHAT THE FARRIER HAS TO DO FOR NEGLECTED FEET    

1.       Increased time on a horse to repair damages resulting from neglect.

2.       Farrier will have to charge more for the time involved to bring a hoof back to its normal state.

3.       Liability of a farrier is increased when working on neglected horses because of potential lameness.

4.       Horses that have been neglected are harder to keep shoes on.

5.       Neglected horses are harder to work on and get under because they lack handling, are uncomfortable or sore.

6.       Farrier would prefer to not work on neglected horses because people tend to judge the quality of the work without realizing that the horse has been neglected.

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Advantages of proper hoof care.

OWNER

1.       Essential foot physiology will be maintained with proper hoof care which will enable the horse to perform to the best of their ability.

2.       A well maintained hoof that is kept on a schedule by your farrier is less likely to suffer injuries such as quarter-cracks or bowed tendons.

3.       Owners van be more confident that their horse is dependable, ready to be ridden at any time.

FARRIER

1.       With proper hoof care and scheduling the quality of the farrier's work is more evident and better represented.

2.       There will be a better relationship with the customer and stress is reduced.

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Four basic types of hooves.

Type 1:    Good Shape & Good Horn (Wall of the foot)

Type 2:    Good Shape & Weak Horn

Type 3:    Deformed Shape & Good Horn

Type 4:    Deformed Shape & Weak Horn

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Type 1 Hoof -- Good Shape & Good Horn

Characteristics:    Level hairline; ground bearing surface shaped the same as the coronary band (hairline).  Full round toe with symmetrical quarters; well defined frog, centered on the hoof with a concave sole.  It also has a strong heel, pastern and toe balance (in parallel).  All round the horn tissue (the wall of the foot) is in very good and healthy condition.

Type 1 hoof is associated with good conformation.  With a few exceptions, the type 1 hoof is a balanced hoof.  Horses with a type 1 hoof can usually be balanced by trimming alone.  Due to good quality horn, the type 1 hoof is not adversely affected by changes in the weather.  The horse with type 1 hoof can lose a shoe and not suffer any ill effects to the hoof.  The good natural shape and good horn make the type 1 hoof the best possible hoof.  

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Type 2 Hoof  --  Good Shape & Weak Horn

The type 2 hoof is also associated with good conformation.  With the exception of the weak horn, it resembles the type 1 hoof.  The weak horn of the type 2 hoof imposes a shoeing requirement for all types of work.  If the horse with type 2 hooves is not being worked, he may be turned out unshod; however, the horse may become "tender-footed" until his hooves toughen.  The type 2 hoof is adversely affected by moisture and temperature cycling.  The type 2 hoof is also susceptible to horn fungus and yeast infection (white line disease).

The type 2 hoof responds best to hot-fitting; the hot shoe seals the ends of the horn tubules, which counteract the effects of moisture and harmful bacteria.  Precisely fitted shoes with well seated clips are required to hold the type 2 hoof together during periods of hard work or adverse weather.  Slim shanked nails may be required in order to prevent splitting of the weak horn.  

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Type 3 Hoof  --  Deformed Shape & Good Horn

The type 3 hoof is deformed due to conformational faults.  The ground surface of the foot is not the same shape as the coronary band (hair line).  The hair line may not be level.  Type 3 hoof deformities include excessively long toe, flared quarter, flared toe, low heel, contracted heel and flat foot.

Rocker toe shoes, bar shoes, swelled heels and bar wedges may be required to minimize the effects of these faults and return the hoof to a more normal configuration.

The good quality of the type 3 hoof is, of course, an asset,  However, this good horn can often mislead the client into a state of negligence.  Badly overgrown shoes will result if the client is not willing to cooperate and understand the need for timely resetting.  Overgrown shoes compound hoof problems and contribute to a variety of other locomotion and interference problems.

With proper shoeing, the type 3 hoof usually poses no special problem.  The key is to keep the hoof balanced and reset the shoes at frequent intervals.  

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Type 4 Hoof  --  Deformed Shape & Weak Horn

A horse with a type 4 hoof suffers the ill effects of both poor conformation and weak horn.  Unless this horse receives the finest in hoof care, the animal will be laid up much of the time.

The type 4 hoof needs maximum support and cover, along with the same type of corrective measures of the type 3 hoof.  In addition, frog support devices may be required to minimize the destructive effect of the entire foot.  Shock absorbing pads and wedges are frequently required.

The timely resetting and adjustment of shoes is essential.  Sealing the horn tubules by hot fitting will also be beneficial.  Hot fitting should be preformed prior to the application of the pads to gain the added benefit.  Slim shanked nails are essential.  The shoe must be precisely fit with well seated clips.

Horses with type 4 hooves should not be allowed to graze in dew covered pastures.  Moisture cycling is the type 4 hoof's worst enemy during the summer months.  Horn fungus and yeast infection (white line disease) post special problems in the southeast (US).  The horse with type 4 hooves will often throw shoes and come up lame.  Because of his poor hooves, this horse can not stand prolonged hard work.

The authors of this article on the four types of feet are:      Lee Green; Yucaipa, CA., Gene Hill; Marietta, GA., Scott Simpson; Walla Walla, WA., Walter Taylor; Albuquerque, NM., and Danny Ward,; Martinsville, VA.  

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The Proper Shoe.

Most skilled farriers have all heard the question --  "Why are you making a handmade shoe what is a proper shoe?"   If you haven't -- you haven't made enough handmade shoes!  Anyway, here is the true and correct answer to that much asked question.

As you may have noticed, to make a handmade shoe a farrier has obtained a higher skill level.  If he or she is your farrier, you may be very fortunate.  You may also know he or she has to have more inventory for you and that it takes twice as long to shoe your horse.  The handmade shoe is more expensive for both the farrier and the owner of the horse.

The handmade shoe is a superior shoe when made and applied properly, custom made for your horse.  We must quit accepting phrases may cause us to compromise our quality of work.  For example, statements like, "That's good enough", "Just get some iron on him", or "Just get him off of the ground".  Both the farrier and the horse owner (or their agent) need to have more knowledge and respect for the horse and the shoe.

Sometime farriers have reputations for not talking too much while working.  The reason for this is that they must keep their thoughts organized to give your horse the proper shoe.  While making a shoe the farrier must utilize the heat and energy put into the iron by the forge.  The farrier may also have another shoe in the fire.  It is therefore important not to interrupt his or her timing.  (They have to work the iron while it is the proper temperature.)

Usually, while the farrier is trimming or talking to the owner, he or she is looking at the conformation of the horse and the overall condition of the feet.  He or she may ask how the horse is used.  The farrier will then select bar stock that will give the owner and the horse the following: protection, support, wear ability, traction, minimum interference to the horse, maximum restriction to physiology, enhance the horse's performance, comfort and soundness, longevity of the horse, cosmetics (show horse) and price.  In selecting the proper shoe, these criteria can best be met when the kind (aluminum, steel, etc.), size (different dimensions of bar stock) and shape of materials (half round, swedged, etc.) can be chosen.  Certainly, within these criteria are terms that people can apply when they go to buy shoes for themselves.  The more physical stress that a horse is under, or more incorrect the conformation, the more important it is that special consideration should be made in the essential needs of the horse.  The proper shoe is much more effective prior to lameness as preventative measure, rather than after the horse goes lame.  If the use of a proper shoe is ignored, your horse may be getting into serious trouble and it may cost you more in the long run.

After a hoof preparation a farrier must measure a hoof very accurately and this is a major consideration for proper fit and support.

Changes that are made in metal effect the levelness of the shoe, which also has to do with fit, especially when the metal is not hot.  A handmade shoe gives the farrier an incentive to carry a fire because it is very difficult to make a shoe cold.

It is important for a farrier that is making proper shoes to have a large enough inventory of iron, nails and fuel for a forge to service his clients.  The farrier must have the necessary skills to make a proper shoe, such as to heat and shape a shoe to provide minimum damage to leg and foot.  When making a shoe, nail holes are put in a shoe to provide minimum damage to the hoof and maximum security.  A professional, experienced farrier will consider the size of the nails, number of nails and placement of the nail to correspond with the anatomy and physiology of the hoof.  The nail must also fit the shoe made by the farrier.

The flatter the shoe is on the surface of the foot, the better the horse will move, the sounder they will stay, the longer the shoe will stay on, providing that the hoof is absolutely flat.  The shape of the shoe is a very important aspect.  It may alter soundness, comfort and the way of going.  Hammer finish, hemming, boxing, safe tying and concaving the heels on a shoe are made in different forms and shapes to fit a horse's individual needs.  To a horse that has an inadequate hoof and leg structure, a proper shoe can give this individual the support that he lacks naturally.

The next time that you go to buy shoes, one of you most important priorities is comfort.  It is no different for the horse.  You look for a shoe that will enhance your ability, support you so that you will not twist your ankle and won't leave your feet sore at the end of the day.  An uncomfortable shoe will effect your attitude.

Mentioned here are only a few of the skills and philosophies involved in the process of providing the horse with the proper shoe, but the rewards are many and positive.

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So, what is a proper shoe?  Describe it to me!

1.       Light shoe.  Keep it as light as possible, and at the same time provide the maximum protection and support.

2.       Nail Hole.  Things to consider: number and type of nail used, will the shoe accept the nail that you want to use, and, where you are going to position the nail holes in the shoe as it relates to the hoof physiology and the white line.

3.       Accurate.  Things to consider: measurement of the hoof, how ell the shoe you are making fits the foot that you are making it for and, the total square inches that you are working with.

4.       Bearing surface.  This is the part of the foot that touches the shoe.  How well have you prepared the surface to accept the shoe and to seal it together.  Making this flat and level eliminates unwanted pressure points and creates comfort.

5.       Ground surface.  This is the part of the shoe that touches the ground.  How is it going to support the overall weight and performance of the horse that you are placing it on.

6.       Flat.  Again, can not stress this enough, the bottom of the shoe has to be flat to maximize the performance of the horse and create support and comfort.

7.       Protection.  What are we protecting?  How about -- investment, dependability, physiologically and anatomically.

8.       Support.  There are times that the entire weight of the horse and rider are on a single leg.  Shoe each leg and foot with that in mind.

9.       Concave shoe.  Bevel the side of the shoe that is attached to the foot so that there is no sole pressure when the weight is applied to that particular foot.

10.   Physiology.  Be sure to understand the conformation and the workings of the horse that you are working on, so that what you have done will not interfere with the natural ability or workings of that horse.

11.   Finish.  I learned a long time ago that if you want people to really remember your work, and at the same time never question the work that you do -- make it look good and well finished!  Never leave a job looking half-done.

12.   Shape.  Remember that feet are suppose to look a certain way.  People see that all the time in pictures in books, that is what they want to see on their horse.

13.   Type of material.  You can always tell the quality of a tradesman by the tools and the materials that they use.  Remember that point! This can also refer to the type of material that is used to make a certain shoe, such as steel, aluminum, etc.

14.   Dimension of bar stock.  Use the type of bar stock that is right for the job that the horse is going to do.  Not what is available.

15.   Locomotion of the horse.  Shoe the horse as natural as possible while at the same time making it as easy as possible for the horse to do the work that is being asked of it.

16.   Balance.  Boy, this could get long winded.  It is best to say that the horse has to be trimmed as natural, flat and as level as possible.  This is the hardest part of the operation for anyone to master.  Keep on it, it will come.

17.   Use of horse.  When you are shoeing a horse remember that sometime what is asked of a horse is not as natural as it could be.  Even shoeing roping horse is divided down into three types -- heading horses, heeling horses and calf horses -- and each of them has to be shod in a specific manner.  Doing so will allow them to do the specific job that they have to do.  The same is for other competitive fields as well.

18.   Use of the forge.  This is the most important tool that a farrier can master.  The use of the forge allows you to heat steel and shape it in such a manner that you never knew possible.

19.   Weight of the horse.  There are times that horses are not getting the exercise that they need for the daily rations they are receiving.  Over-weight horses tend to have foot problems, look for them and be aware that they can appear at any time.

20.   Provide support when nature doesn't.  Understanding conformation and the workings of the horse's body allow you to predetermine how you are able to help a horse move better, even when nature did not allow for the problem that is present.

21.   Flotation.  Sometimes horses, just like people, require two different shoe sizes on a pair of feet.  Remember that you need to make them as close as possible to allow for the proper balance and movement of that pair of feet.

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Why clips on horseshoes?

1.       Farrier can use smaller nails.

2.       More shoe security.

3.       Drive nails at same angle as horn tubules, less tissue damage.

4.       They are required for AFA certification.

5.       Farrier must hot seat the shoe.

6.       Shows hammer control and craftsmanship.

7.       Shoe must fit more accurately.

8.       To prepare horseshoeing students to take the AFA Journeyman Certification Practical Exam.

9.       Clips may be used to gain control of a neglected hoof capsule.

10.   To secure a shoe from slipping into an undesirable position.

11.   A client knows that a show with clips must be hot shaped and hot seated; the farrier will put more time, effort and skill on your horse if it is to have a good appearance.