Category Archives: Hoof Care

Entering into any profession in the equine industry takes a good bit of consideration, a heavy measure of dedication, an ability to embrace hard work, and an unbreakable love for...

“The equine hoof is a complex marvel of natural engineering,” say Susan Kauffmann and Christina Cline in The Essential Hoof Book. “Developing an eye for symmetry and balance is definitely...

Horseshoe-free hoof proponents can be very enthusiastic and are often devoutly committed to the theory of "natural is best." Often, natural is best. However, shaming people for putting shoes on...

A big part of running a farrier business is educating horse owners. Everyone is at a different level of knowledge and comes to us with a different background, and we...

Performance horses need shoes, right? Not all of them! While shoes have certainly been the norm in nearly every equine sport for many years, some competitors are breaking away from...

The diagnosis of a hoof abscess is something most equestrians are going to have to deal with sooner or later. It is icky, painful, annoying, and time consuming to figure...

After nearly four decades of horse ownership, I've finally come to a realization: horsekeeping is not a science, but rather an art. Sure, I’d prefer it was the other way around....

North Texas farrier Jessica Linder responds to L.C. Street's "Your Farrier Is Not a God." L.C, you are right about one thing—I am not a God. I am just a farrier....

Your farrier is not a god. You do not have to give him* offerings to keep him happy. You do not have to worry if your horse twitches at a...

When it comes to equine hoof care, you may have noticed that men tend to run the show. Sure, you’ll find the occasional female farrier, but they are few and...

From your first riding lesson, you were told to pick your horse’s hooves out every single day (or you should have been). If you did Pony Club or 4-H, you...

The call usually starts innocently enough. “How much do you charge to trim a miniature horse?” (or foal, mini donkey, goat, any other little hooved animal). I ask a few...

Does your horse turn into the Tasmanian Devil every time he sees the farrier’s truck arrive? Do you dread any activity that isn’t active with your way-too-energetic partner in crime? Obviously,...

Yes, I’m one of those barefoot people. And no, I do not consider myself a fanatic. If you want to put shoes on your horse that’s your prerogative. That being...

One of the biggest annoyances for horse people is when a horse throws a shoe. They always do it at the most inconvenient times—the morning you’re leaving for a show...