"No foot, no horse" is perhaps the most used and still the most true statement there is in horse care. A horse is generally worthless without functional feet, which is why the American Association of Equine Practitioners devoted a complete day during the 2010 convention (held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md.) to farriery topics and the working relationship between veterinarians and farriers.

"Heat adds strength to any relationship; this is the perfect metaphor for this discussion," said Jay Merriam, DVM, of Massachusetts Equine Clinic, in Uxbridge, in his presentation on veterinarian/farrier working relationships, titled "Sharing the Fire."

"Vets can't do it all alone, and neither can farriers," he said. "Vets can add podiatry to their practices, and farriers can add veterinary consultation to theirs. There are things we just shouldn't do alone."

Topics discussed during this year's farriery program included basic foot anatomy/examination, hoof crack repair, supporting the heels, puncture wounds of the hoof, foot surgery, and more