One of the many topics featured at the recent International Hoofcare Summit held in Cincinnati, Ohio. The summit, hosted by the American Farrier Journal, showcased several of the country’s leading authorities on the equine foot including Dr. William Moyer of Texas A&M University, Dr. Stephen O’Grady and Gene Ovnicek to name just a few. Also in attendance was Simon Curtis, one of Great Britain’s premier farriers. The topics covered included: corrective trimming, anatomy, laminitis, navicular syndrome, barefoot trims and several points of view on long toe/low heel problems.
Many of the lectures covering these topics included the possible cause (s) of the pathology being discussed and the pros and cons of various treatments. While the specifics of each lecture varied by topic one commonality amongst them was whether or not the condition could be cured or only managed.
While much of the dialogue concerning conditions such as abscesses and white line disease concluded that the proper treatment could “cure” or more accurately correct the problem. Conversely, discussions focusing on pathologies such as club foot and long toe/low heel concluded the condition could only be managed. While the techniques discussed varied from lecture to lecture, what became obvious after the four days of lectures and classrooms was the key to managing and maintaining conditions such as underun heels was a consistent treatment schedule.
Many of the classrooms, along with my interaction with other attendees, reinforced many of the techniques I employ, as well as, introduced me to new techniques to apply when trimming the pathological foot. However, no technique can help your horse if it not applied consistently. Furthermore, all the experts, trimmers, and farriers can agree that the key to managing the pathological foot is a frequent and consistent trimming schedule, but it means nothing if this information isn’t conveyed to the owners of these horses. No technique, whether tried and true or the latest and greatest, can benefit your horse if it is not applied consistently. You can have the world’s best trimmer trim your horse but if you only have him out to work on your horse every 12 weeks the condition cannot be effectively maintained, and even a healthy foot suffers from this kind of schedule.
Horses with conditions such as long toe/low heel and club feet can be rehabilitated to a useable state and many times can appear to be normal. However, they will have the propensity to return to their deformed state if allowed “to go a couple of extra weeks”
While more frequent trimming means more frequent trimming bills, the reality is if you have a horse with a pathology, the cost of managing the condition will be greater than the “norm”. The actuality is the added expense of maintenance will pay dividends in the longevity of your horses comfort and the added cost of “damage control” that an irregular hoofcare program causes.
While we are all looking for cures, the truth is that many common problems can only be managed. In this management process we all have roles and responsibilities. As a hoofcare professional my responsibilities include not only maintaining your horse’s feet, but staying current with the latest information available on treating the equine foot. Additionally, I believe it is my responsibility to keep an open line of communication with the owners of the horses under my care, to foster a relationship that will benefit their horses. As a horse owner one of your responsibilities is assisting your hoofcare provider in maintaining your horse’s feet by adhering to a proper trimming schedule based upon your horse’s individual needs. So, whether correcting or maintaining your horse’s feet be prepared for a process that includes an evaluation, treatment, reevaluation, adjustments in the treatment if necessary, evaluation, treatment, and on and on….CONSISTENTLY.
Until next month, God Bless you and your equine partners.
