Ben Benson Based in Oxfordshire, UK, in the centre of a thriving equine area, Ben Benson has an established farriery business catering for many professional riders. An Approved Training Farrier, Ben was instrumental in the Forge at the London 2012 Olympics alongside Jim Blurton AWCF and acted as NTO (National Technical Official) for the Paralympics …
Will using aluminium shoes improve my horses movement?
Q: I have been told to use aluminium shoes on my show hack, to improve her movement in the ring. is this a good idea, and what are the drawbacks? Pauline, Canterbury A: Hi Pauline. The best approach might be to give aluminium shoes a go on your hack – in between important shows to …
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Shoes left long at the heel
Question: My farrier generally shoes my horses with the outside back of the shoe much wider than their actual feet. I am concerned that they may be able to stand on their shoes and pull them off. Should I ask him to fit the shoes more neatly to the hooves, or is there a reason …
Break-over and concussion
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 …
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 …
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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