Q: My question is about break-over and concussion. Where I live, we have had a long and very dry spring, summer and early autumn, so the ground has been rock hard for months and lots of horses (including mine) have jarred up and become sore. A friend of mine has a new farrier, though, and …
Repairing hooves
Q. My four year old OTTB has got a huge chunk missing out of the side of her hoof and my farrier says he might not be able to get a shoe on that foot next time. Can I bog it up and is there one that will stay in longer than others? Sally, Taumarunui …
What tools are need to remove a horseshoe?
What tools are need to remove a horseshoe? To remove a horseshoe safely you'll need most importantly, the knowledge and some skill. It's probably best to have a farrier to do any work on the feet but in an emergency, having some tools at hand can be useful: Buffer (also called a clinch/clench cutter). Raises …
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Surface Dressing (Guest Post)
We welcome guest posts. Thanks to David Bartley from Tasmania for this guest post. SURFACE DRESSING / FITTING AND OUTLINE FITTING HORSESHOES The art of farriery is not the preparation of the foot to take a steel wear plate. And it is most definitely not trimming the foot in a particular manner so one can apply a …
Thoroughbred feet
Q: Hi, I have a 4YO TB who has what my farrier calls “ski jump” front feet. He gets shod every 4-5 weeks and recently I asked him to take more toe off as they really just did not look right and he was always tripping over his own toes! This has lead to a …
Two clips on the front of the horseshoes
Q: I have noticed that my friend's horse has one toe clip on his front shoes, but my farrier puts two clips on the front shoes of my horse. Is there a reason for the difference or is it just personal preference by the farrier? Rebekah, Bay of Plenty A: Hi Rebekah. It might be …
Will the feet on a rescue horse ever recover?
Q: I have recently adopted a rescue horse that had been neglected quite badly. His feet and teeth were in a very bad way, and he is very underweight. I have wormed him and had my farrier and dentist out to him, but I am wondering about his long-term recovery. Will feet that have been …
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Over-reaching
Q: My horse is a chronic over-reacher, and he quite often injures himself. I turn him out in bell boots, but these tend to rub. What can you suggest? Barbara, Rotorua A: Hi Barbara. Over-reaching can be a problem and if he’s doing it in the paddock then that’s frustrating too. Hopefully, there’s a solution …
Gregory’s Textbook of Farriery
Great news, we have Gregory's Textbook of Farriery back in stock Read a snippet from the dissection chapter if you haven't already got the book: Gregory's Textbook of Farriery sample This book has fast become the must-have textbook for farriers, apprentices and anybody with an interest in hoof care. We can ship Gregory's Textbook of Farriery anywhere …
Naughty for the farrier
Q. My young mare is naughty with her back feet. I’ve had a number of farriers who all seem to come once then disappear into thin air when I call them for the second time. I’d like to find a farrier who is willing to teach her how to stand still so the shoeing is …
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