Preparing your foal for
hoof trimming

Your horse is going to be seeing a farrier every six to eight weeks for its entire life, so it makes sense to start early with training your horse to stand quietly for trimming and shoeing. Horses that can't behave for farriers are more than just a perpetual nuisance; they can be dangerous to handlers and horseshoers, they can make correct trimming and shoeing very difficult, and bad manners for the farrier can significantly reduce your horse’s future value.
Preparing your foal.

Thrush and your horse’s hooves

What is Thrush

Almost all horse owners will have a horse with thrush at some time, and it will probably happen quite often. Thrush is one of the most common and persistent afflictions that horses can get, but thankfully it almost always causes few problems, and it is easy to treat. That said, the old adage ‘no foot, no horse’ holds true, and injuries or disease to the hoof should always be taken seriously.

What is Thrush?

Grass Laminitis

What is laminitis?

Laminitis is the inflammation of the laminae, or the lining inside the hoof wall. The laminae is a complex structure, which plays an important role in the general health and circulation of the horse. It is rich in highly oxygenated blood, which helps it do its job, but makes it susceptible to infection and inflammation.



Grass Laminitis

When does a horse
need shoes?

In their natural state in the wild, horses roamed over large areas of grasslands seldom putting their feet under heavy strain, and keeping their hooves neatly shaped with natural wear. Once horses came into the care of humans, those conditions changed, and the horse’s feet were asked to endure tougher work on more varied terrain, and now they needed the protection of horseshoes.

When to shoe?

Hoof Abscesses

Hoof abscesses are one of the most painful conditions your horse could suffer from, and unfortunately they are complex to treat and occur all too often. In normal conditions, the horse’s hoof is well protected with a hard outer wall and a softer, but very resilient sole. Even the more sensitive frog and heel are remarkably tough and resistant to injury. However, it’s that very resilience that makes hoof abscesses such a challenge, and what makes them so painful.


Hoof abscesses

Why Use an AFA Certified Farrier?

Proper care of your horse’s hooves form the most fundamental part of good horsemanship. Without strong, healthy feet, there’s not much your horse can do! That’s why regular visits from a farrier - every six weeks, more often for very young horses - are an essential part of your horse care routine.




Why use an AFA Farrier?