Big Brown was back on the track a day earlier than expected, and trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. said he looks as good as ever–maybe even better.
The Triple Crown hopeful went out for a 1 1/2-mile jog around Belmont Park on a rainy Tuesday morning
(PHOTOS/VIDEO) Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown clearly owns some of the Thoroughbred industry’s fastest feet. But many question their soundness, fueled by reports of layoffs, quarter cracks, and special shoes. His current farriers Tom Curl and Ian
A large majority of horses, regardless of breed, have a high-low foot syndrome where one front foot has a higher angle and different shape than the other. A close look at the characteristics of the high foot qualifies it as a club foot.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) will offer a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any violator of Tennessee’s horse soring law, which prohibits the deliberate infliction of pain to horses’ feet an
Horse hooves aren’t created equal, which can make it hard to understand the healthy foot’s form and function.
From many horse owners’ point of view, the farrier’s profession throws out a lot of confusing terms and directives when it comes to balancing a foot. Fit the shoe full? Trim to the widest point of the frog? Use a four-point trim? These nebulous
I must take exception to comments by Stephen E. O’Grady, DVM, MRCVS, in “Barefoot vs. Shod: An Equine Podiatrist’s Perspective” online at www.TheHorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=9796. Nail
If hoof structures are poorly developed, then they will be less capable of going barefoot and, even when shod, not as ready for withstanding continuous training. To avoid sore feet, the quality of the trimming and shoeing and interval between shoeing
I am often asked about leaving horses barefoot. I must say from the onset that I favor horses being maintained without shoes when possible. Whether or not it is feasible for a horse to go without shoes will depend on the owner’s situation and
When they are compromised due to disease processes such as laminitis, or poor internal hoof balance that leads to poor blood flow and overstressing of internal structures, putting the feet in comfortable alignment and applying massage helps them heal
Working to correct low heels when they begin to develop is far more successful than waiting until the horse has had no heel for a long time. Low-heeled conformation is not healthy and can compromise soundness in the short or long term.
“Owners and trainers worldwide have the feeling that every veterinarian and every farrier have years of experience and vast knowledge about laminitis and podiatry (foot care). Unfortunately, this is not the case,” said Ric Redden, DVM, founder of
Acute and chronic laminitis is a frustrating and often disheartening condition to manage. Having had the opportunity to observe, treat and shoe laminitic horses for over 30 years, I have a unique prospective into this disease.
The biggest
One veterinarian describes the causes of and a traditional treatment method for underrun heels.
The annual convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, held in San Antonio, Texas, in early December 2006, had three sessions devoted to foot care that were open to farriers. Following are synopses of some of those presentations
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