Q: My horse has white hooves and (I think) due to his annoying habit of constantly kicking his stable wall, the side of his hoof is discoloured as if it is bruised. It doesn’t seem to be causing lameness though. Should I just ignore it? RT, Te Awamutu A: You’re correct, this discolouration is likely …
Building the Equine Hoof
Building the Equine Hoof is an educational book co-developed by Zinpro and David Hood from Texas A&M University. Covering topics from basic anatomy of the horses foot, nutrition, hoof growth and common diseases, this 45 page full colour book is easy to read and educational. I've always particularly liked the transparent layered pages which overlay …
Replacing lost shoes
Q: My new farrier charges me to replace a cast shoe, but my old one never used to. I feel a bit resentful, as why should I pay if he hasn’t nailed the shoe on properly in the first place and it falls off or gets sucked off by the mud? What do you think? …
What causes corns?
Q: I do a lot of road riding and 10 to 20km forest rides, and my horse has developed corns on his heel. Can you tell me what corns are (are they anything like the corns that humans get) and how can they be treated? Is it caused at all by the surfaces he is …
Sticking to the shoeing process
I wouldn't claim to have worked with heaps of different farriers over the years. In fact, I consider myself a bit of an under-achiever in that respect. I have little doubt working alongside other farriers is probably the best way to improve our skills, learn new stuff and for farriers who usually work alone, realise …
Asking to get burnt
Somebody should tell this farrier fella that using a rasp like that when burning on is dangerous and there's a possibility the rasp could slip and he will burn himself. It happened to me once. At least.
Derek Gardner hammers
We just took delivery of some Derek Gardner hammers. Wow, they're just beautiful (in a practical sort of way). Made in the UK by multiple national farrier champion, Derek Gardner from Cumbria, each finished hammer is inspected by Derek before if leaves his workshop. The turning/rounding hammers are available in 1 3/4lb, 2lb and 2 …
What is causing my horse to stumble?
Q: I have my horse shod regularly - usually every five weeks - and his feet look perfectly normal to me. But he trips a lot, especially when being ridden in a paddock. Is this a physical/foot problem, or to do with the way he is being ridden? Is there anything my farrier can do? …
Farriers looking after themselves
The focus is usually on farriers being big and strong. For sure, the need for muscle is important to be able to do the job competently day in and day out without collapsing in a heap (and even then, many of us have been known to collapse in a heap anyway). A farrier being able …
Farrier photo – clenching up again
This was taken during my farriery apprenticeship on the Isle of Wight. Probably about 1993. Back in the olden days when I clenched up and clenched up then clenched up.
Farrier Blog 