Being a farrier is an ancient calling. From the time man domesticated the horse, removed it from its natural habitat, changed its diet, and put it to use in competitive endeavors on a variety of surfaces, hoof care has become a critical aspect of equine ownership.

For 2,000 years or more, man has utilized horseshoes to protect the equine foot from undue wear and injury, but of even more importance has been regular trimming and proper nutrition. Research has shown that horses on a proper diet will have larger, stronger hooves than will animals on a restricted diet.

Despite the best of care, there will still be some horses which will have hoof problems. Figuring prominently in this group are racehorses, but all sport horses are more susceptible than the average pleasure riding mount. The reason is the stress and demand placed on the hooves of horses which run at speed, jump, or stop quickly.

While some of the old tried and true methods of hoof repair remain in vogue and are as effective today as they were hundreds of years ago, the modern-day farrier has space-age materials to lend assistance in repairing stubborn hoof injuries that his or her predecessors couldn’t even dream about