New material about hoof maintenance, shoes and boots, and diagnostics has been added to the revised edition of Heather Smith Thomas’ Understanding Equine Hoof Care, now available from Eclipse Press.

This handy reference covers a wide array of topics, including cleaning and trimming, basic shoeing, types of shoes, and common foot problems. In addition, Understanding Equine Hoof Care covers how domestication has compromised the equine hoof and offers instruction on how horses’ feet can be returned to a more natural, and healthy, state through conscientious care. Thomas provides the reader with a wealth of information on how to maintain hoof health, treat minor problems, and know when it is time to work with a vet or farrier.

About the author

Heather Smith Thomas, who resides on a ranch in Salmon, Idaho, cares for and shoes her own horses. She has raised and trained horses for 45 years and has published more than 9,000 stories and articles in horse and livestock publications. Thomas writes regularly for more than 40 horse publications, including The Horse. She has written 20 books on horse health care and training including Care & Management of Horses: A Practical Guide for the Horse Owner