I am always surprised and dismayed when I encounter horses that are not seen by a farrier on a regular basis.
I know that there are a lot of different theories out there about how horses should be trimmed or shod and I am not recommending any one of them - I am just saying that all horses should been seen by a farrier regularly.
I know that it can be expensive and time consuming, but to me it is just part of owning a horse.
It is required basic care.
Young horses are frequently the ones that I see neglected the most.
They are usually harder to work with and some farriers just don't want anything to do with them if they don't stand and behave.
But if a young horse's feet are allowed to grow without frequent attention from the farrier, they are more likely to develop leg and gait abnormalities.
The farrier has the most influence on the growth of a young foal than any other person they will encounter.
It is very important that breeders and people that buy young horses find a talented, patient farrier and develop a good relationship with them.
The future of their young horses depends on it.
It is amazing what a difference a good farrier can make in a horses gaits and overall comfort.
I had an older gelding that had frequent lameness issues in his front feet that a previous farrier was addressing with more frequent trims and shoeing.
But I still had to have injections in his coffin joints to keep him sound.
After moving to a new barn, the farrier there agreed that the horse's feet grew faster than most but he also recommended trying a different type of shoes.
They worked so well that I was able to discontinue the injections and the horse has continued to be sound.
Young horses may object to having their feet picked up and trimmed, and even some older horses act like it is their least favorite thing to have done, but in the long run, teaching them that the farrier is their best friend is a good idea.
The health and soundness of a horse's feet are vital to their future comfort no matter what they do.
A good farrier is worth every dollar you pay him - probably more!
I know that there are a lot of different theories out there about how horses should be trimmed or shod and I am not recommending any one of them - I am just saying that all horses should been seen by a farrier regularly.
I know that it can be expensive and time consuming, but to me it is just part of owning a horse.
It is required basic care.
Young horses are frequently the ones that I see neglected the most.
They are usually harder to work with and some farriers just don't want anything to do with them if they don't stand and behave.
But if a young horse's feet are allowed to grow without frequent attention from the farrier, they are more likely to develop leg and gait abnormalities.
The farrier has the most influence on the growth of a young foal than any other person they will encounter.
It is very important that breeders and people that buy young horses find a talented, patient farrier and develop a good relationship with them.
The future of their young horses depends on it.
It is amazing what a difference a good farrier can make in a horses gaits and overall comfort.
I had an older gelding that had frequent lameness issues in his front feet that a previous farrier was addressing with more frequent trims and shoeing.
But I still had to have injections in his coffin joints to keep him sound.
After moving to a new barn, the farrier there agreed that the horse's feet grew faster than most but he also recommended trying a different type of shoes.
They worked so well that I was able to discontinue the injections and the horse has continued to be sound.
Young horses may object to having their feet picked up and trimmed, and even some older horses act like it is their least favorite thing to have done, but in the long run, teaching them that the farrier is their best friend is a good idea.
The health and soundness of a horse's feet are vital to their future comfort no matter what they do.
A good farrier is worth every dollar you pay him - probably more!