Farrier Tales | Horse Racing Free Tips

Farrier Tales: Valuable Lessons To Learn

To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them – Montesquieu

In the past, I frequently attended riding instruction clinics of a very sought after Olympic medal winning rider and trainer who opened every session with the following statement (paraphrasing), “I have been doing this my whole life, 50 plus years. I don't consider myself an expert and if I'm not an expert, than you most certainly are not an expert.” That statement always received uncomfortable laughs from the participants, most likely connected to their realization, that no matter how good you are, there is always something that you can learn in horse sports if you're willing and open to receiving the knowledge. I have been fortunate enough to have experienced many such moments in my life and career. If I am ever considered good at something, anything, it will only be because of the many people who have played a significant role in my shaping my career, skill, and education.

One such moment came a number of years ago when traveling to Kentucky and finding myself in legend D. Wayne Lukas's kitchen. The Coach was patiently waiting for a film crew to set up cameras for an interview. I thought to myself “ask the guy a question dummy,” which spurred me on to ask, “what are you looking for in horses when you are at sale?” Lukas sparked up, like superman exiting the phone booth–you could almost envision him donning professorial robes. What proceeded was a 30-plus minute master class in conformation, horse biodynamics, engineering, angles, the pendulum, anatomy, and speed, including highlighting examples and drawing diagrams on images of horses. It was without a doubt a fantastic moment in time, that I was grateful to have had with the presence of mind to receive.

Another such moment serendipitously presented itself recently with another talented horsemen, Neal Shapiro. Shapiro knows a thing or two about horses, including their feet. Shapiro, a lifelong horseman has an envious list of accomplishments, including Olympic Medals earned in the 1972 Munich Games (Team Silver and Individual Bronze), membership in Showjumping's Hall of Fame, and a tremendously successful career as a harness trainer and driver. Shapiro, an affable guy, continues to enjoy his passion for horses, and with his wife, fellow Olympian and Pan American Gold Medalist, Elisa “Licha” Fernandez-Shapiro, who operate Hay Fever Farm, in Robbinsville, N.J. Shapiro invited me to grab lunch with him, taking a momentary break from his jammed-packed riding lesson schedule where he was willing to share his thoughts on all things shoeing and horses over a slice of pizza.

Neal Shapiro aboard Uncle Max at Hickstead UK | Courtesy Neal Shapiro

“I had a very good friend who did the work at our farm and he was a very good horseman and blacksmith, very skilled at what he did,” Shapiro referring to Billy Ardito, a legendary Long Island shoer, who was later an instructor for Nassau County's BOCES Thoroughbred horse program. Shapiro recounted his progression into shoeing, occurring in between riding duties with the United States Equestrian Team (starting in 1964) and his acquisition of a harness related driver licensing (1967-68) thanks to Ardito.

“I would spend afternoons at the shop [Ardito's] shop making shoes,” he said. “I loved doing it.”

“Pulling shoes, trimming, nailing shoes, years of learning,” which eventually landed Shapiro the added responsibility as the “Team's (USET) relief blacksmith” during its European Tours, he recalls with amusement.

As the discussion delved deeper, the conversation segued to all things hoof related, growth, schedules, general care, and maintenance of the feet.

“[Poor hoof growth] probably has a lot to do with nutrition, minerals, and vitamins,” he explained. “What I learned at the racetrack is very different from the horseshow world. In the horseshow world they put on hoof dressing because it looks pretty, however, at the racetrack we don't put things on [the hooves] to make anything look pretty.”

Shapiro highlighted the success realized by simply applying different types of dressing(s) to the coronary band directly below the hairline, stimulating blood flow and circulation, “that seemed enough to allow horses to keep good healthy feet.”

When asked about the possible root cause of foot related issues in breeding for performance versus soundness he explained, “The horses today are very different. Standardbreds are basically bred for soundness, Thoroughbreds for increasing speed versus soundness, and the European Warmbloods for jumping. I see so many Warmbloods with conformational flaws.”

Shapiro also cited a recent change in thinking and returning to practices of yesteryear, pulling the shoes when possible.

He continued, “[Keeping a horse barefoot] has changed a lot. It has been a big plus, the feet grow out and they get healthier. Amazingly, some [previously shod] horses have seen improvements in bone structure, contracted heels, possibly created by shoeing, opening up. Shoeing is necessary in certain instances, to keep the feet from breaking up. But [when necessary] pulling the shoes and trimming may cause some initial soreness, especially in horses that have been shod for a long time, however, it's going to stimulate blood circulation and growth.”

Countering convention, he asked, “If the shoes are tight and not worn out, why can't they go six or seven weeks, especially if they are not growing foot?”

Shapiro also underscored the probable adverse effects and impact [including on the hoof] of the 52-week cycle of expected performance and competitions.

“It's a big problem,” Shapiro admitted. “The horses basically go year-round never getting a break. Look at today versus history, how many top horses are around for any length of time today. Horses had time off back then, they didn't compete year-round.”

Overall, Shapiro believes farriers are doing a good job. However, admits he worries about the overall state of horsemanship, recounting multiple stories to prove this point. Something that I can also directly attest to, I recently having found myself working on a horse known to be difficult for shoeing, and multiple grooms standing witness to the unfolding events were immersed in a discussion about favorite cruise destinations, seemingly unwilling, or unaware that it was part of their job to assist the farrier.

He concluded, “I don't think it's rocket science. We need to try to do what's best for the horses and making people a little more knowledgeable. It's a balancing act, you need to balance everything. We keep these horses going way too much, they need a rest, a long enough rest which can also allow their feet to be healthier.”

Jude Florio, who has served as a professional farrier for over 20 years, is also a patented inventor having earned a graduate diploma from the University of London's Royal Veterinary College in Applied Equine Locomotor Research. He is among the current MSc Equine Science cohorts researching the effects of farrier interventions at the University of Edinburgh, Royal 'Dick' School of Veterinary Studies (June 2023).

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Navigating the ‘High Heel/Low Heel’ Conundrum

Sporadically, I have had trainers, owners and random onlookers approach me while I'm working on a horse with a remark that the horse's feet (specifically the front) 'sort of look different.' This normally only occurs when I find myself working on horses with extreme examples of mismatched feet, where one foot presents a longer-looking toe with a low or no heel, and the other, a shorter toe with a higher heel. My normal response usually includes a look (of disgust); however, their observations would be (somewhat) correct (on the surface), but–with the quick retrieval of my calipers–disproven with a measurement indicating the toe length, both right and left, are the same. (Yes, I ALWAYS check). The reaction is invariably a collective response of, 'huh, interesting,' which is usually followed by, 'so, why is that?'

Like humans, left-handed or right, horses favor one leg versus the other, with related studies approximating 75-80% of horses are right forelimb dominant. Forelimb dominance and how a horse supports itself are all factors with implications on hoof symmetry and morphology. If you observe a horse eating in a stall or grazing in the field, one foot is always pointed out in front of the other. This position is commonly referred to as the grazing stance, with the preferred foot varying among horses but likely remaining the same throughout a horse's life. I am not aware of any examples of ambidextrous horses or one's ability to change a horse's preference, however, we must consider that a horse normally grazes, whether in the field or stall, for approximately 22 hours a day and that reality has some consequences and effects on the hoof's morphology.

Using an example of a horse that points the left foot, leaving the right back, we then must start to ponder the other factors which may further affect the horse's ability to comfortably graze, such as the neck, poll, shoulders and their additional effects on the hoof, its confirmation and presentation. Typically, horses with extremes in conformation (head, poll, neck) will likely produce some level of inability to comfortably graze. Typically, this results in great visual differences in the feet and this will also include similar effects on the diagonal pair of the hind feet (i.e.: left front, right hind). Continuing to consider the above grazing stance preference, the right hind tends to be a slightly 'longer' toe with a 'lower' heel. However, achieving equilibrium in the hind feet tends to be easier due to the decreased amount of weight bearing. Many old timers, especially those in the Standardbred world, often say you can do a lot more to the hinds attempting to correct things than you can to the fronts with a decreased potential for soreness or lameness. That has also been my experience.

So, what then occurs when bearing in mind the grazing stance and effects on hoof presentation?

Continuing to use our example, characteristically, the left foot is always (visually) the 'longer' toe with a lower heel; this reality has varying degrees of extremes which are again dependent upon the horse's ability or inability to comfortably graze. With the force and pressure of the horse's weight leaning on the left heel, most experts agree, the foot grows away from pressure. Theoretically, this pressure impacts heel growth, likely impeding blood flow, which in turn impacts the foot's ability to grow 'up,' prompting interventions to change or correct the foot's presentation and alignment. These realities, if left unaddressed, probably will have greater consequences on soundness and biomechanics, including the potential for possible injury to soft tissue (DDFT and suspensory).

Radiographic image of club foot and toe's dish. The arrows highlight the dish and the changing relationship of outer wall and coffin bone. Breakover is highlighted with the red arrow beneath the shoe and the yellow arrow indicates arguably where the foot 'wants' to breakover. Additionally, the blue arrows emphasize the farrier's likely need to trim the heel in an effort to correctly align the bony column and reduce possible strain on soft tissue aspects of the forelimb affected. The successful farrier is always forced to balance the possible limitations of the foot's presentation for trimming and shoe application. | Jude R. Florio

Conversely, the foot that remains back usually presents a more upright appearance, the result of greater pressure being placed in the toe with pressure alleviated in the heel. Again, the extent or severity of that appearance varies and can be quantified with hoof angle measurements. As an example, Arabians (in my experience), always tend to have one club foot, the probable result of the breed tendency to have an upright head and high neck set, creating the need for the affected animal to contort itself to comfortably graze. Differently than the pointed foot, the back foot heel growth is dependent upon how much pressure is put in the toe. Having witnessed some extreme examples of the back foot being 'tipped' forward on the toe, this includes possibilities of the toe “dishing,” this visible change normally occurring when the relationship of the toe of the outer wall deviates from the position of the pedal bone and the toe extends past the breakover. All of these factors will dictate how each foot should be trimmed and how shoes should be applied.

Moreover, the realities of handling, exercise, training and veterinary/chiropractic treatment cannot be discounted when seeking balance and equilibrium. The types of exercise and training will also have direct effects on the foot's confirmation and presentation, evident in noticeable observations of shoe wear or the way a horse goes, where adjustments are possible.

I recently discovered that my iPhone has a slow-motion video option. (I know; welcome to the 22nd century, but I'm in a 2,000- to 3,000-year-old industry. I'm told the second oldest.) This slow-motion option has been great to detect gait anomalies, loading, unloading, landing and take-off. I highly recommend its use at the lower speed gaits as a tool to detect potential issues, which one can extrapolate may be exaggerated at higher speeds.

So, what is the farrier's role in all of this?

A farrier/podiatrist has a lot to consider when addressing these issues and their level of experience will dictate how much they do or how far they go. When I consider these differences, I always work from the space of the bony column's alignment and what I can do to improve it when necessary and within reason. There are some occasions where a horse will grow enough toe that can be trimmed down on the low, pointing foot, which may include pulling the foot forward and trimming the toe back. In extreme examples, sometimes there is not enough foot to be taken down and doing so may result in soreness. I have never experienced a horse being sore by taking the toe back. Subsequent to static balance, dynamics is key and setting the shoe back aims to decrease the duration of breakover, a result of the caudal shift of the fulcrum point, commonly referred to as 'backing the toe.'

The grazing stance | Jude R. Florio

Equally, the other front foot, upright and remaining back during grazing, is addressed slightly differently. Experience will dictate how much heel can be trimmed including a measure of the horse's comfort, frequency of shoeing and the degrees of change, with significant changes to the hoof's angle possibly negatively affecting the soft tissue. Some horses require greater amounts of heel trim. I often use the frog as a guide in assisting in decision making: the higher heel's frog seeking pressure (pumping mechanism, vascular function) distorts and, when trimmed, gives a greater ability for one to determine how much heel can come off. Of course, as highlighted in the article linked above, the use of radiography is an additional resource for guidance.

Having gained experience from past work on foals and younger horses, I have found positive changes are possible and realistic. Routine trimming requires minimal adjustments achieving noticeable changes and correction of differences in the feet with positive outcomes. Perhaps this is because of the foal's or weanling/yearling's size and the realities of initially suckling, as well as the future ease and ability to graze, which may decrease extremes and the effects on the feet. However, this will quickly change with time and growth and may include other circumstances throughout a horse's life including injuries and their potential for effects on hoof growth.

In the end, farriers have multiple tools at their disposal which should facilitate their ability to make sound decisions when attempting to address differences. Using fixed reference points, measurements which quantify toe length and angles can all be recorded for future reference assisting in achieving the goal of static balance and equilibrium. As in all things, there are no hard and fast rules. In certain instances extreme or otherwise, achieving balance and equilibrium may not be possible, therefore requiring veterinary examination and any number of interventions (pads, frog support, etc) in the hope of alleviating potential stress, decreasing strain and pressure with the expectation of facilitating improvements, especially in performance. However, it is wholly possible with time. By including the correct interventions, positive improvements are possible as redistribution pressure and forces theoretically can improve blood flow, which likely results in healthy hoof growth.

Jude Florio, who has served as a professional farrier for over 20 years, earned a graduate diploma from the University of London's Royal Veterinary College in Applied Equine Locomotor Research. He is among the current MSc Equine Science cohorts studying at the University of Edinburgh, Royal 'Dick' School of Veterinary Studies (June 2023).

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It’s All about Sole

“It's all about soul…Yes, it is.” The title and line from Billy Joel's 1993 hit refers to unmeasured essence of our being, and the same may be said also about another kind of sole, the hoof's sole, which is an often-overlooked, under-studied insensitive structure of the hoof that fails to get much attention until there is a problem. The failure to care for the sole's well-being, like its homophone cousin (soul), may have deeper implications and longer-lasting consequences for the soundness of the horse that it is attached to.

The sole is a keratinized structure similar to the wall, growing at the same rate as the horn and designed to resist wear with a primary function of protecting the bottom of the coffin bone. The sole's flexibility and thickness vary, often effected by environmental conditions (wet or dry), hoof morphology, pathology, and a host of other factors (breed, size, stabling, turnout, etc.), all which may affect its makeup. The sole's design is to flake away or exfoliate over time, however, flaking or exfoliation is again dependent upon a number of factors including those previously listed, all affecting its composition. Horses can have thick, thin, or false soles. The ability to identify the type of sole, and how much can be removed, requires experience.

To properly 'read' a foot for trimming, balancing, or shoeing, farriers with their hoof knife in hand remove varying amounts of sole and the practice differs within the industry. The amount of sole and from where it is pared is an often-argued conversation amongst farriers, old and new, in journals and trade publications. Everyone has a theory and everyone has an opinion.

Is there a point where sole paring goes too far?

Many years ago, in seemingly another lifetime, I had the good fortune to meet and apprentice for the late James Cahill of Lamberville, N.J. Cahill, a Vietnam veteran returned from his service, trained Thoroughbreds for his then-father-in-law in the New England area. Cahill recounted to me how he was fascinated by shoeing and somehow the need arose for him to learn how to shoe, most likely a need to tack a shoe [this story is sounding familiar to me, as I had a similar experience]. He would always laughingly describe how he remembered paying his plater to teach him and at some point, later while still in the midst of learning, recognized that he was still paying his plater to watch him while he shod his own horses. Cahill later transitioned from training to shoeing full time which segued to shoeing riding horses.

The horseman's style was to repeatedly pare the sole; his knife was always unbelievably sharp. I recall him pressing with his thumb, paring, and pressing again while sometimes going a little too far and finding what farriers refer to as 'bottom'–or even farther with the infrequent droplet of blood. Obviously, being a good apprentice and direction follower, I copied my teacher with his sole paring style. I later learned when I went on to work for legendary USET and Hall of Fame farrier Seamus Brady that this practice of sole paring was not going to fly with him. I recall on my first day when I started paring out the sole of the horse that I was working on, Brady apoplectic, bellowing in his Irish accent, “Whoa, whoa, whoa, what the hell are you doing? We don't do that in this world.” He later explained after I was stopped in my frenzied sole-removing tracks, that the horse needs as much protection as it can get and removing the sole was essentially removing protection, an argument supported by Dr. Scott Morrison, partner and founder of the Podiatry Center at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington.

Dr. Scott Morrison, DVM | Courtesy Rood & Riddle

I was grateful to catch a moment with Morrison in between his in-demand, reported seven-day-a-week schedule as he agreed to share his thoughts on this topic. As with all things sole (soul) related, the conversation pivoted and delved deeper into some issues the industry continues to face.

Having had some overlap with Morrison over the years, I recently worked closely with him on a new account that I was enlisted to take over and he was recruited by the owner to consult. Humble is an understatement describing Morrison. In an industry where ego and chest beating are the drivers, humility and a willingness to share knowledge is refreshing. Brady exhibited similar traits. Morrison's demeanor, approach, and professionalism is almost surprising considering his influence in the industry, following other veterinary podiatrists, who Morrison labels 'pioneers,' like Dr.'s Ric Redden and Steve O'Grady.

Ninety percent of Morrison's practice consists of the podiatric care of Thoroughbreds, from corrective work on foals, to racing athletes, to the geriatric horses found at breeding facilities. The complaints range from knee deviations in foals commonly known as carpus valgus or varus, to thin soles, chronic heel pain, negative palmar angles, and–normally found in geriatric breeding mares and stallions–chronic low-grade laminitis.

When asked specifically about the sole and the varying farrier practices in the amount of sole that is pared out, Morrison shared that he, as well as other members of Rood & Riddle's practice, “leave as much sole as they can.”

“It still is commonly done, perhaps a little too much,” Morrison added in reference to the common practice of paring significant amounts of sole at the track. I was always under the impression that what may be considered extreme paring was an effort to create a 'cup' for traction, or to achieve the 'shortest' foot possible to relieve sole pressure under the shoe. However, Morrison thinks there may be other simpler motivations at work.

“People [farriers] like seeing a nice, cleanly pared-out foot. It looks nice. However, carving out the sole propagates flares, thinner soles, and this compromises the foot. The sole holds the foot together and a natural arch exists, a natural cup. The arch is really strong, we see it in design and architecture. [Farriers] continually weaken that dome causing the soles to collapse by removing some thickness, which changes the contours of the foot, creates flares, and the common issue: flat feet, where the arch is lost at the back half of the foot. The sole and lack of it in the back half of the foot is a very common complaint.”

An example of Morrison's frog support | Courtesy Dr. Scott Morrison

Morrison underscored that much of his time is spent restoring that natural arch and trying 'fix' its collapse by “leaving in the bars” [in certain instances dependent upon the foot] and as much sole as possible. He shoes with as much support as necessary, always trying to “mimic the barefoot condition” with the use of heartbar shoe, pads, and frog support while recognizing the realities of the horse's tolerances relating to frog and sole pressure. He also stressed there is a right and wrong way to apply these interventions as “not all bar shoes are equal.” However, Morrison highlighting some of the issues may lie with trainers and their tendency to want to see a 'normal' shoe even when “heels are crushed and the frog is dropping out of the bottom.” Morrison labeled it at times as a “battle” to get frog support or in other instances when a farrier must “do what is needed for the horse.”

Asked if this resistance by some trainers to see a properly applied shoe with frog and/or heel support may be the result of a perceived negative effect on performance he said, “I don't think so. You can train him in a bar shoe, or heartbar, and pull it off for race day,” when opting for regular shoes.

While not entirely buying into the argument that breeding may perpetuate some of these foot issues in Thoroughbreds, he did not completely discount breeding's role, however, he admitted that he has witnessed things turn around in horses where the feet “became pretty good.”

Effectively, the greater issues that Morrison highlights are the realities of continuous training.

“There is no time off,” he said. “Pulling shoes is so important because feet need to be let down. The result, to some degree [the feet] will normalize.”

It's All About Sole…and Then Some…

So where is the industry going? Where should it go? Will things ever become standardized?

Morrison, who was likely driving to his next appointment while facing the barrage of questions that I lobbed at him like hand grenades, chuckled a few times at some of my more loaded questions. I knew the answers would be good.

“There are different camps of thought [relating to industry practices]. I don't really see things changing in the near future,” he admitted.

Firmly believing that the current reality perpetuates good farriers continuing to acquire top clients, Morrison explained that their good methods will most likely be passed along to future apprentices and helpers, as has always been the tradition.

“Some disciplines may trend to doing things more uniformly,” he said.

Morrison segued into some failures on the part of the Thoroughbred industry to promote continuing education for farriers at racetracks which he labels a “big need.” He highlighted farriers in other disciplines [riding horses] tending to actively read trade magazines and attend conferences, while “platers are less represented.”

He added, “It would be nice to see a big shoe company or big owner” sponsor and promote some continuing education programs for farriers at the racetracks.

I agree.

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Detecting a Possible Future for Shoeing?

In Fair Hill, Md., the recent site of a large international equestrian event, several farriers gathered, not necessarily an unusual occurrence where events that involve horses are concerned. However, this day lacked the usual sights and sounds that horse people have become accustomed to when considering farriers: no ringing anvils, no screeching grinders or sounds of clinches being blocked. The assembled farriers did not unpack toolboxes from their rigs or unload any horseshoes; nonetheless, the group descended upon the Fair Hill show grounds only armed with cameras, measuring devices, laptops, sensors, and a desire to push their skill into the 21st century. A nearby sign encouraging participation in the study simply read, “Farriery and Gait Assessment…Free Analysis!” The pot was sweetened for the skeptical, reluctant, and resistant, with a $1,000 raffle for participants, including other inducements donated by Dover Saddlery and the American Farriers Journal.

The gathering of farriers moonlighting as researchers and data collectors turned out to be a mini reunion of sorts, with the majority being recent graduates of the Royal Veterinary College's (RVC) Equine Locomotor Research (ELR) program, some traveling great distances to attend. Overheard conversations included a recount of the last resident weekend for the course (hosted in February 2020) on the eve of some new coronavirus outbreak elsewhere on the globe and the resulting effects on travel, while another member of the group was heard expressing their disappointment with failed attempts to encourage some rider/horse combinations participation, attributing resistance to cynicism or a possible jog mishap on the eve of a major competition.

In attendance, farrier Doug Anderson of Mount Airy, Md., informed onlookers and potential partakers that in the field of hoof-related research, which includes approximately 159 studies examining the hoof and shoeing, only five were authored by farriers. He explained that the RVC's ELR program was created with the goal of providing the tools and knowledge to facilitate changing this narrative.

The Fair Hill study, the brainchild of Pat Reilly, another RVC graduate and Chief of Farrier Services at University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center since 2006, explores potential correlations of symmetry and performance using a sensor-based gait analysis (EquiGait). The New England native, who has a life-long family connection to horses and their business which retrained off-track Thoroughbreds for eventing, segued into shoeing after a four- or five-day stint as an exercise rider and a trainer's recommendation to seek out another line of work. Explaining the origin of the U.S. version of the ELR Program, Reilly shared that his plans to attend the UK program were derailed by Brexit and visa restrictions, resulting in his lobbying hard the program's creators (Dr.'s Renate Weller and Thilo Pfau) to implement a satellite program in the U.S.

Reilly analyzes the data | Jude Florio

“All farriers have different ways to shoe, and in the absence of facts everyone has an opinion. [Farriers] don't have to prove it,” Reilly said, explain the need for improving farrier education and increasing evidence-based shoeing through research.

In choosing the Fair Hill venue to perform his study, Reilly explained that it offered a “good opportunity” to measure top performance horses, while seeking possible correlations of hoof morphologies, symmetry of movement, and any resulting effects on performance. Ensuing observations, images, and simple measurements were recorded (i.e.: hoof angles, toe lengths), as were the types of shoes, including any possible additional interventions (pads, glue-ons, pour-in materials).

The study's primary focuses are based on the results of measurements using the EquiGait system, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor-based technology developed by Pfau. EquiGait is similar to existing devices commonly known as “lameness locators.” However, Pfau, who was recently appointed Professor to the University of Calgary's Departments of Veterinary Medicine and Kinesiology, explained his system goes one step further than the lameness locator, which uses sensors placed on the pole and sacrum to detect asymmetry. In comparison, EquiGait additionally incorporates the withers, offering the ability to pinpoint asymmetries occurring in front or behind. Pfau added that these systems' main characteristic seek to identify asymmetry of motion, a possible sign of lameness. Measurements of the upper body, movement, and the interaction between the sensors capture function of the legs, including weight bearing, pushing off, and indirect conclusions about force distribution between limbs.

An example of some of the sensor-based technology data | Jude Florio

When asked about the usefulness relating to Thoroughbred racing, Pfau referred to knowledge gained from studies and routine use of this technology by Dr. Bronte Forbes, previously based in Singapore and presently in Hong Kong. He noted Singapore's use of sensor technology as an objective assessment of lameness and confirmation after a veterinary check results in a visual detection. The technology's use has been widely accepted as a trusted veterinary tool. Pfau explained racing's biggest challenge is the reality of horses being pushed to their limits, and asymmetries connected to potential issues are never quite the same, with huge variations in measurements and data. However, both Pfau and Reilly believe using sensor technology in racing may quantify farrier interventions and its measured effect, while identifying existing asymmetries and quantifying why one may enhance performance and another may precipitate a breakdown. Additionally, they agree that farriers do play a huge role in affecting horse's movement and symmetry and the use of this type of technology can only be beneficial.

Pfau asserted, “Shoeing is the most powerful thing that we can do; it has huge consequences.” He underscores shoeing adjustments can be directly quantified, as well as having the potential to redistribute forces highlighted by ongoing examinations of upper-level dressage horses. The study investigates the effects of shoeing on multiple surfaces and attempts to distribute forces symmetrically which without intervention may have longer-term implications with negative ramifications. According to Pfau, for now, sensors are a great resource for veterinarians, assisting in the detection of potential causes of lameness and identifying an area of concern. He also believes the continued collection of data is necessary and imperative, as there is a likelihood that long-term goals will have future sensors used as a preventative measure with an ability of early detection.

Whatever the outcome of Reilly's study, Pfau adds, it's good the conversation continues, forcing the art of shoeing closer to the science of shoeing, and is a great start in providing more facts and fewer opinions. Reilly stressed that he was extremely proud that out of the 10 or 12 graduates, seven or eight took time out of their busy schedules to participate and assist. Of the 40,000 farriers in North America, there are presently 10 or 12 with research training.

“Imagine if we had 10,000 or 12,000, 1,000 or 1,200 even… We have an incredible ability to help our horses and become better at what we do by using evidence and changing how we teach,” said Reilly.

As a lifelong horseperson, rider, farrier, I am unsure of the logic–nor do I understand–the resistance or objections to exploring and unearthing potential issues with the use of noninvasive sensor technology, which objectively measures and assesses gait(s), perhaps detecting a need for an adjustment in shoeing and/or training. The resulting data could potentially enhance or improve performance or, more importantly, detect and derail a potentially catastrophic issue before it's too late.

At the end of the day, what do I know? I hold an inverted unnatural position for hours on end bending metal for a living.

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