The Missing Link to Hoof Regeneration in a Non Responsive Case – A Case Study by Joel Brown, USA

About Joel

Joel is a born horseman with more than 41 years of experience in shoeing horses in the USA. Having attended formal farrier school in 1979 at Porterville Horseshoeing school, under Hugh McEwen, Joel shod horses as he pursued higher education, receiving a bachelors in Ag science from California poly technical in San Luis Obispo and a masters in Ag business from UC Davis. Joel has managed several purebred and commercial cattle ranches over 35 years in the States, where “horses were a business venture and brood mares and saddle horses were employees and an asset on the balance sheet”. Consequently, the phrase ‘no hoof, no horse’ has been at the heart of Joel’s daily life for many decades.

Joel has now retired from managing ranches and is enjoying a simple life right back where he started 41 years ago – shoeing horses. His work covers a wide range of animals, from backyard ponies, ranch horses and rope horses to imported warmbloods. From backyard trims to FormaHoof applications, whatever fits and is best for the horse and the owner.

According to Joel, his “approach to farrier science is based on a holistic viewpoint addressing the anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics to enhance comfort and balance, across all equine types and disciplines. In totality, the hoof is the foundation the horse stands on. FormaHoof is providing a progressive modality enabling these goals, while providing the horse with a voice in the conversation towards an enhanced and productive life. This also benefits the relationship between the horse and owner, as happy horses make for a happy life!”

Navicular Case History

This case of a 13 year old American Quarter Horse was referred to Joel by a cattle rancher in April 2020. The history relayed from the owner was a vet assessment of navicular syndrome. Past radiography referenced cysts in the navicular bone with no demineralization. The D/P view presented a broken back hoof pastern axis. Post assessment, 3 rounds of Osphos-clodranate disodium* over 3 months and a shoeing package that addressed break-over and frog support was implemented