The topic of having horses go barefoot vs. shod has been discussed at several American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Annual Conventions and always generates some very informative dialog while raising many important questions.
For as long as there have been horses, there have been hoof problems. And for as long as there have been hoof problems with domesticated horses, there have been millions of hours spent trying to find solutions and remedies for them.
Daily hoof checks are important in maintaining good hoof health. Besides picking out their feet, owners can visually assess their horses’ hoofs and learn what’s normal for each animal. That way they can recognize any changes and identify problems as early as possible.
Podiatry in equine veterinary practice is gaining increasing attention. We continue to learn more about the function and biomechanics of the horse’s foot, and develop new and innovative strategies to alter those biomechanics and mitigate problems that lead to lameness in the foot.
Tequila stood splay-footed, was badly over at the knees, and her hind legs were quite sickle-hocked. Her feet were smashed, flared, chipped, and cracked. She was a perfect candidate for a “hoof makeover.”
When lameness issues or poor performance are hindering your horse in his ability to remain comfortable and efficient in his work, more advanced farriery may be indicated to help get him back on track.
Navicular disease is the chronic degeneration of the navicular bone and its surrounding structures. The reason for this degeneration is not yet fully understood.
