The Essential Hoof Book

[Rozella Dibley]

Thiswork, by co-authors Susan Kauffmann (trainer, educator and writer) and Christina Cline (certified trimmer and educator), could easily serve as a textbook for a class in anatomy, equine science or equine management, but reads so easily that you could find yourself working steadily from cover to cover. The text spells out everything the reader needs to know, beginning with the anatomy of the equine hoof and covering qualities of the healthy and unhealthy hoof, hoof disease, how to build a healthy hoof and the various options for shoeing, trimming, booting and more.

The Essential Hoof Book offers a complete and modern guide to horse feet. Written by Susan Kauffmann and Christina Cline using basic terms to clearly illustrate the differences between healthy and unhealthy feet. Readers are also provided with activities to help them better understand hoof health. Complete with full colour photographs.

Farriery requires knowledge and skills to provide proper equine hoof care. In this series, sponsored by VICTORY, American Farriers Journal visits Heartland Horseshoeing School in Lamar, Mo. In this edition, Chris Gregory discussed his journey to becoming an educator, his focus in teaching farrier students and the state of farrier education.

As a farmer, you understand the importance of maintaining healthy hooves for your livestock. We have carefully curated the Hoof Care Essentials Starter Kit to provide you with the necessary tools and products to ensure optimal hoof care. With a combination of five key products and one bonus item, this kit is designed to make hoof care a breeze, while delivering exceptional results.

2. Repiderma: the aerosol bottle contains minerals that promote healthy skin and hooves. Its deep-penetrating formula helps the skin to stay healthy and protect the hooves. With regular use, Repiderma contributes to stronger and healthier hooves, reducing the risk of lameness.

3. Hoof knives: Our high-quality hoof knives are crafted with precision and durability in mind. These professional-grade tools feature sharp blades and ergonomic handles, ensuring optimal control and efficiency during trimming and hoof maintenance. With the right hoof knife at your disposal, you can confidently address any hoof-related issues and maintain hoof health with ease.

3. Registered with Health Canada: Our products have undergone rigorous testing and are registered with Health Canada, ensuring their safety and compliance with industry standards. The Intra Hoof-fit Gel is registered as a DIN, and the Repiderma is a VHP.

4. Proven protocol: The Hoof Care Essentials Starter Kit follows a proven protocol that combines the power of multiple products to deliver exceptional results. By following our recommended usage guidelines, you can experience the benefits of a comprehensive hoof care routine. Proven products that are used daily by professional hoof trimmers and veterinarians around the globe.

Once cured, the resulting FormaHoof Application can be trimmed and adjusted if required and is designed to remain on the hoof for an entire shoeing cycle, providing a comfortable fit for your horse in the form of a perfect and heathy barefoot hoof.

Pennwoods Essential Hoof & Coat (formerly Bio Plus 60 2X) is a blend of concentrated ingredients with optimum levels of biotin, and formulated to provide nutritional balance to your horse's diet with improved hoof growth and quality. The unique combination of macro elements, organic micro elements, amino acids, vitamins, and biotin when fed according to directions will:

Regular hoof care is key to a horse's general health. Work with your farrier and veterinarian to craft a hoof care box that's practical for you and your horse's needs. Photo: Alexandra Beckstett/The Horse

In fact, most horse owners do not have a kit specifically dedicated to hoof care, says Dave Farley, CF, past president of the American Association of Professional Farriers, who shoes sport horses around Coshocton, Ohio.

Easy-to-apply poultices help draw out inflammation and infection and are commonly used to treat issues such as foot bruises and encourage hoof abscesses to drain. Photo: Alexandra Beckstett/The Horse

A self-adhesive flexible bandage and duct tape can be used to hold medicinal or liniment poultices in place, or wrap a foot that has lost a shoe until the farrier arrives. Photo: Erica Larson/The Horse

Depending on the environment goats live in, they may need more or less frequent trimming. For example, goats living in rocky conditions where the hoof will wear against the ground may need less frequent trimming than a goat that lives in a grass pasture. Be familiar with the environment your goats live in and keep accurate records of when you perform hoof care. This will help you determine an appropriate schedule for your herd.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

Farriers should be experienced at trimming hoof growth, as well as creating, modifying, and applying any braces or supports a horse may need. Some horses may only need simple horse shoes, while others require surgical shoes with removable plates or braces.

Hoof trimming also is necessary to prevent other foot distortion problems; poor hoof care can make horses more prone to injuries and can cause fungal infections, sole bruises, or abscesses of the hoof.

Pet Talk is a service of the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to edi...@cvm.tamu.edu.

Under the foot the sole protects the sensitive inner structures. It should be firm and slightly concave. Central to the sole is the triangular-shaped frog, which is a rubbery, flexible pad designed to bear weight and absorb shock. It also helps circulate blood around the foot. Extensions of the hoof wall run alongside the frog to help bear weight.

Wendy graduated from Bristol University in 1999. She then went on to complete a residency at Liverpool University and holds a European Diploma in Equine Internal Medicine. After working in practice for 13 years, she joined Zoetis in 2012 as the National Equine Veterinary Manager.

T-Hoof is a unique formulation that instead of just superficially coating the hoof, it penetrates deep into the corium of the equine hoof not excessively softening but helping cracked and dry hooves, frogs and soles. It is also an excellent hand cream for split fingertips, cracked nails and chapped skin.

The Clouds never rub his skin, they always stay on, and he can walk normally in them. They are so easy to put on and the way they fasten is completely secure. The EVA foam inserts conform to his soles.

At this point, I do not think I will ever have to have the farrier do anything unusual or extreme again. After just one usage, the Easyboots have paid for themselves, as the special farrier work requires the vet to come out for sedation and x-rays, and the last time everything cost in excess of $700.00. These boots are essential for the successful treatment of laminitis and I cannot recommend them enough. I am so happy to have them.

Founded in 1970, EasyCare Inc. is the global leader in equine hoof protection. Our mission is to improve the well-being of horses by providing the equestrian community with superior service, education and innovative equine products.

Yeast Culture, Corn Distillers' Dried Grains with Solubles, Roughage Products, Cane Molasses, Zinc Methionine, D-Biotin, Dextrose, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, Manganese Proteinate, Artificial Flavoring, Copper Proteinate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Choline Chloride.

Maintaining healthy hooves is a critical concern for every horse owner. Cracked, brittle, or weak hooves can lead to discomfort and even serious mobility issues for your horse. Formula 707 Hoof Health pellets are specifically formulated to address these common hoof health problems, providing a reliable solution that supports hoof strength and resilience from within.

Formula 707 works internally to promote healthy hoof growth and repair. By targeting the root causes of poor hoof health, this supplement ensures that your horse's hooves are not just superficially improved, but fundamentally stronger and more durable.

Incorporating these pellets into your horse's daily diet can lead to noticeable improvements in hoof condition, reducing the likelihood of cracks and splits, and enhancing overall hoof integrity. This comprehensive approach means fewer hoof-related issues, less downtime, and more active, happy days for your horse.

Formula 707 Hoof Health pellets blend essential nutrients to promote strong, healthy hooves from the inside out. These ingredients, including vital nutrients like biotin and zinc, work synergistically to enhance keratin production, support protein metabolism, and improve nutrient absorption, fortifying the hoof wall and fostering healthy growth.

Biotin, known for its role in keratin production, strengthens the hoof structure, while zinc supports enzyme function essential for hoof health. Together, these ingredients address the foundational elements of hoof strength and resilience.

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