farrier | Horse Racing Free Tips

Tips For Top-Notch Hoof Care

Certified Journeyman Farrier Sean Elliott shoes horses that compete in a myriad of disciplines. He offers tips to promote hoof health and notes some things to avoid. Sean says the top three things healthy hooves need are good nutrition, a dry environment and balance.

Proper nutrition will give a horse the building blocks he needs to have quality feet. Sean recommends good hay, clean water and a ration balancer, and he discourages owners and caretakers from adding supplements just to use them if they claim they can make a difference in hoof quality. He reminds horse owners and caretakers to treat each horse like an individual and that feeding programs aren't one size fits all.

First and foremost, horses shouldn't stand for extended periods of time in mud or wet conditions, Sean says. He also recommends that horses not be bathed daily, which can strip hooves of oil essential to keeping them healthy. Sean also isn't a fan of topical hoof treatments, noting that a dry environment is more essential than anything that could be applied to the hooves.

Hooves should be seen by a qualified farrier every four to six weeks to ensure that the hoof capsule is placed correctly underneath the horse's leg. Routine trims will also deal with issues like long toes and flares in the hoof wall. Sean notes that a good farrier must have a grasp of equine anatomy and conformation, as well as understand the biomechanics of how hooves handle concussion.

Each hoof should be trimmed to be in balance and not to create hooves that look like they match one another. Shoes should be shaped to the foot and not the foot shaped to the shoe, Sean says.

Hooves can crack because the toe is too long, the heel is underrun or because the horse has been standing in a too-wet environment. Though most cracks aren't a big deal, ones that go all the way through the hoof capsule or all the way up to the hairline require an intervention by a farrier.

Contracted heels are also a common issue and are most often caused by improper hoof balance, which can affect blood flow and hoof expansion. Abscess can be startling to see as the horse tends to become suddenly, severely lame. Sean suggests that genetics may predispose a horse to abscesses and thin soles can exacerbate the problem. Abscesses are most common during spring and wet winter months, when moisture softens the hoof and the foot becomes bruised, which can lead to an abscess.

Keeping Clients Safe: Impact Of COVID-19 On Equine Vets And Farriers

Though equestrian competitions were halted and many boarding barns were shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic, equine veterinary and farrier care have been considered essential services, allowed to carry on throughout lockdown. However, it has been a challenge to continually provide care for client horses while keeping customers and caregivers safe.

In order to continue to work, vets and farriers were mandated to establish protocols that followed state and local distancing, quarantine and decontamination guidelines. During lockdown, many equine clinics were able to continue to see emergency cases, but were unable to perform elective surgeries for multiple weeks.

When lockdown lifted, most clinics still didn't return to “normal”; many are unable to allow clients into waiting rooms or pharmacies, so workers meet their clients in parking lots to either take the horse from the owner or to deliver medications.

Many farriers are now unwilling to have clients or trainers hold horses while they are being shod, electing instead to have their assistants hold or to place the horse in crossties. Between clients, all tools are disinfected. Even when stay-at-home orders are lifted, may vets and farriers will keep their biosecurity practices in place to keep staff and clients safe.

Though the pandemic has changed the way equine professionals must interact with their clients, requiring much more interaction from a distance or via phone or text, equine professionals still strive to give their two- and four-legged clients the best of care.

American Farrier’s Association And Farrier Industry Association Join Forces

The Boards of Directors of the American Farrier's Association [AFA] and Farrier Industry Association [FIA] are proud to announce a joint management agreement that will bring the two associations together under one roof. This agreement, which is designed to provide increased synergies between AFA members and the manufacturers, distributors and suppliers that support them, was signed by the Presidents of both organizations on June 16, 2020.

“This is a very exciting time for both associations, and we have some plans that we are sure will bring the manufacturing and vendor side of the industry closer to our AFA members. A lot of work has gone into this merger and we hope you will join us in our excitement,” said Jon Johnson, CJF, AFA President.

Although the brands and identities of the AFA and the FIA will remain unchanged, the two associations will be jointly managed to provide enhanced benefits, streamlined communications and increased education for the betterment of both groups. “We truly believe that both associations will grow, thrive and continue the positive momentum that they have already established under this agreement”, said Executive Director, Martha Jones. “I can't wait to see what we can accomplish together.”

The two associations will continue working together on the AFA annual convention, as well as on additional projects to align the organizations and provide increased benefits for their members.

“We certainly see this as groundbreaking,” said FIA President, Chuck Milne. “In fact, bringing the industry and farriers closer together is something we have all wanted to see for quite some time. I believe this agreement will directly benefit our organizations both individually and collectively, as well,” he said.

Representing professional farriers, veterinarians, suppliers and horse owners, the American Farrier's Association is the oldest and largest membership organization for the farrier industry in North America, and the only one with internationally recognized standards of competency through our certification programs. Setting the standard for excellence in hoof care, the AFA provides professional development, certification, leadership, and resources for the benefit of the farrier industry and the welfare of the horse. Learn more here.

The organization of the MarketPlace at the AFA Convention is just one facet of this vibrant and multi-dimensional organization. The FIA membership is made up of suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers of farrier-related products from around the world. If it is important to our members' businesses, it is important to the FIA. We are committed to helping our members grow their businesses with networking, education, marketing and outreach through our Business Conference, newsletter, membership directory, website and much more. Learn more here.

The post American Farrier’s Association And Farrier Industry Association Join Forces appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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CA Horseshoeing School Barred From Enrolling Certain Students

Recently, the decision of a lawsuit brought forth by a horse shoeing school, farrier and student was overturned in a California court. The lawsuit alleges that the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 violates the First Amendment rights of Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School (PCHS) and Bob Smith to teach farriery, and also violates the rights of Esteban Narez to learn.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision of the United States Court for the Eastern District of California, stating that the Act controls more than contractual relations and that content discrimination was apparent. The panel does not contest that the state cannot regulate for-profit teaching, but it does ask for demonstration of why PCHS cannot enroll Narez, a high-school dropout.

Keith Diggs, an attorney with the Institute for Justice, is representing PCHS, Smith and Narez. He is asking for evidence to back up why Narez should be barred from the school. The state plans to file a petition for rehearing, which is rare. If the rehearing is denied, the case will return to district court, where the state must provide an evidence-based argument as to why PCHS cannot teach horsehoeing to students who don't have a high school diploma.

The law had a well-intentioned goal when it was written: curbing schools that preyed upon underqualified students, giving them fake credentials and massive student loan debt. The California law applies to all schools, even those that don't accept student loans, like PCHS.

As written, the law prohibits PCHS from enrolling Narez because he doesn't have a high school diploma or GED, nor has he passed a government-approved exam stating that he is proficient in math, reading, writing and other criteria. The state has threatened to shut down the horse shoeing school because PCHS doesn't require that students take the test.