Lecture 4: Introduction to Equine Farriery & Shoeing

What is the hoof wall?

the outer layer of the hoof made of keratin that functions as the weight bearing structure and grows about 6-9mm per month

What is the periople?

top protective layer for coronary band (part of the hoof wall)

What is the junction of hair and keratinized tissue of the hoof?

coronary band

What is the area where the hoof “breaks over?

toe

Which area of the hoof is a common source of cracking with imbalanced trimming?

quarter

Which part of the hoof expands and contracts with weight bearing for shock absorption?

heel

What are the three black arrows indicating?

top: bars - prevent heel from spreading too much

middle: white line

bottom: white line separation → site for bacteria to enter and can set up an infection (white line disease)

What are these three areas of the hoof?

top arrow: central sulcus

middle: frog

bottom: collateral sulci

What is this area of the hoof?

sole

What is the weight bearing portion of the hoof?

hoof wall

What are the function of the collateral cartilages?

• structural support for the heel bulbs

• shock absorption

What is shown in this radiograph?

ossification of the collateral cartilage

What is the function of the insensitive and sensitive lamina?

suspend P3 in the hoof capsule

What areas of the hoof are responsible for traction?

• frog

• shape of hoof (concave

• wall

What areas of the hoof are responsible for shock absorption?

• digital cushion

• ability to expand at heels

What are the major functions of the hoof?

• traction

• shock absorption

• support of skeletal column

• protection of inner structures

• venous return (peripheral pump)

What part of the hoof protects from moisture evaporation?

periople

What is the typical trimming interval of an equine hoof?

6 weeks ± 2 weeks

What is assessed when trimming an equine hoof?

natural hoof wear, quality, and shape:

• difference between feet

• lateral imbalance

• toe wear

• flare vs upright side (rear feet naturally have lateral flare)

What abnormality is being shown here?

medio-lateral imbalance

What abnormality is being shown here?

underrun heels

What can toe dragging indicate?

lameness in that limb

What abnormality is being shown here?

toe dragging

What abnormality is being shown here?

long toe

What abnormality is being shown here? What does it indicate?

flares - side that bears more weight

What abnormality is being shown here? What is it often indicative of?

contracted heels - another problem, often navicular disease

left: hook knife

right: rasp

left: clinch cutters

right: hoof stand

crease nail pullers

left: nippers = flat top and smooth end

right: shoe pullers = rounded top, ball on end

clincher

What is the basic method to hoof trimming?

• clean up frog and remove sole with hoof knife (remove too much and horse becomes sore)

• nip hoof wall to remove length

• rasp to remove flares, level weight bearing surface, and shape hoof → check foot balance

What are these stages of hoof trimming?

1. nipping

2. rasping

3. checking balance

What are the goals for hoof trimming?

• balance

• align the boney column

Poor shoeing = ____ horses.

lame

True or false: you can fix conformation with shoeing.

false

What are the signs a horse needs to be re-shod?

• foot not balanced

• nail clinches raised

• shoe loose or twisted

• shoe &/or nail heads worn

• hoof wall grown over shoe

What are the typical horse shoe materials?

steel: most common, durable, heavy, can make from scratch

aluminum: less durable, lighter, cannot be hot shod, must be fabricated

What are the steps of shoeing?

1. remove shoe

2. trim hoof

3. shape shoe

4. nail shoe on

5. set nails

6. cut clinches

7. crimp clinches

8. finish clinches

9. finish hoof

What is cold shoeing vs hot shoeing?

cold: shoe shaped without heat before nailing on hoof

hot: shoe momentarily applied to horses hoof to “shape” hoof to shoe

What are the advantages and disadvantages of cold shoeing?

advantage:

• farrier doesn’t need forge

• requires less skill

• cheaper

disadvantage:

• shoe will not perfectly fit against hoof

• harder for farrier to perfectly shape shoe

What are the advantages and disadvantages of hot shoeing?

advantage:

• best fit of shoe to foot

• heat allow farrier to shape shoe better

• custom shoeing possible

disadvantage:

• farrier must carry forge

• more expensive?

• can injure sensitive tissues if shoe held too long

• takes longer

What are the characteristics of a good quality shoeing job?

• support at heel

• promotes break over

• bony column aligned with dorsal hoof wall

What are the risks of removing a shoe?

• can damage hoof wall

• can be painful in horses with painful hooves (ex. laminitis)

What are the steps to removing a shoe?

• raise, cut, or rasp off clinches

• pull out nails with a crease nail puller if painful feet

• pull shoe off → start from heal and work to toe, leverage toward center and toe of foot