The 17th annual International Hoof-Care Summit drew farriers and equine veterinarians to Cincinnati, Ohio, for 4 days of footcare education. With a theme of “Focus on Hoof Care for a Healthier Horse", the Summit demonstrated why it’s truly international with attendees and exhibitors representing 21 countries.

Attendees were immersed in intense footcare education consisting of 16 Gen­eral Session presentations, 14 Hoof-Care Classrooms, 32 Hoof-Care Roundtables and 18 How-To Clinics. They also enjoyed 10 uninterrupted hours at the Trade Show, featuring 131 exhibitors.

Although most attendees might say they went to the Summit for continuing education, Lafayette, Ind., farrier Danvers Child believes there’s a deeper reason, which he shared in the closing notes for the 2020 IHCS.

“Maybe you’re pursuing your passion,” says the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame member. “That’s how I ended up here. I’m passionate about helping horses, shoeing horses and working with horses. Maybe it really wasn’t continuing education that was motivating me. It was passion-driven education.”

As much as the presentations are valuable to achieve that passion-driven education, the knowledge that can be tapped from the hoof-care providers you meet in Cincinnati is just as beneficial.

“We all talk about how we can spend another lifetime or two trying to figure this out,” Child says. “You don’t have another lifetime, but you have a network of people that can give you those lifetimes — as long as we network and share.”

One way to jump start tapping into the lifetimes around you is to take advantage of the collection of wisdom during the Summit’s Hoof-Care Roundtables. The sessions bring attendees together to discuss specific footcare topics that participants find challenging in their day-to-day work. Attendees walk away with ideas on how to more effectively solve a particular concern.

The moderators of these sessions shared some of the best ideas and tips that were made by attendees during their Roundtables. Here are a few that might benefit your practice.

Addressing Clubfooted Horses, moderated by Stuart Muir, Lexington, Ky.

1

It was widely agreed that there are numerous reasons for club foot syndrome. Among the factors included are nutrition, deep digital muscular retraction and a response to pain.

Nutrition. Poor nutrition can lead to rapid bone ossification in young horses. The clinical indication of this was presented as tight deep digital flexor tendons causing carpus instability.

Deep digital muscular retraction. Attendees agreed that the tension that caused the coffin bone to sit in an articulated forward position was a muscle condition. Most believe that farrier work was helpful in lower grade cases, but veterinary intervention was necessary in higher-level cases to achieve results.

Response to pain. Attendees felt that they had seen club feet develop from trauma to the affected limb. They referenced shoulder injury, hoof abscesses, foal delivery and infant grazing positions, and internal hoof pathology as precursors to the condition.

2

All attendees who spoke were interested in interpreting the hoof capsule to guide them on the right path. Among the considerations that they cited were growth rings, dorsal hoof wall flaring, heel growth and sole depth. All of the participants were reflective about the effect of their work on the internal structures within the capsule. Among their concerns were bone demineralization and solar corium pressure.

3

There were four distinctly different approaches to footcare of the clubfooted horse discussed — wedging the heel, roller motion mechanics, focused limb elevation and lowering the heel/toe extension.

Half of the attendees preferred decreasing tension in the deep digital flexor network. While numerous shoeing modalities were discussed, most thought that the two best options were wedging the capsule or roller motion mechanics with sole support. The main consensus wanted to limit hoof capsule distortions by offsetting them mechanically with progressive horseshoeing strategies.

The other half of the attendees seemed to focus more on the antagonist approach of lowering the heels and bilateral hoof symmetry. This was discussed against more progressive methods, but the conversation quickly moved on to veterinary intervention with the cutting of the interior check ligament or a tenotomy of the deep digital flexor tendon.

Veterinarian-Farrier Communication for the Best Outcome of the Patient, moderated by Mark Aikens, Norwich, England

There are several ways to encourage and nurture veterinarian-farrier communication. Among the best and most practical are:

1

Encouraging farrier organizations such as the American Farrier’s Asso­ciation (AFA) and American Associa­tion of Professional Farriers (AAPF) to establish a code of conduct that emphasizes improving relationships and communication.

2

Approaching veterinary clinics and universities about arranging workshops and ride alongs.

For New Farriers (Apprentice to Third Year Only), moderated by Bob Smith and Tiffany Gardner, Plymouth, Calif.

1

The clients that farriers get when starting out undoubtedly will be considered undesirable. However, depending on how hungry you are, farriers typically take on almost every client you get a call from. As you develop and mature your practice, those clients go on an “undesirables list.” As your skills and ability to communicate grow, your clientele will become more desirable. At some point, you will have a full book and the undesirables will be the first ones you can let go. Be sure to let them go for cause so the client knows the reason. Some reasons for putting clients on the undesirable list could be unsuitable working conditions, ill-mannered horses, tracking down unpaid bills and refusing to remain on a consistent schedule.

2

People who return to their hometown after dedicating the time to learn new skills as a farrier often run into the struggle of not being taken seriously. Often this is a result of the anchoring principle. The trainer who you work for previously will always see you as barn help. Your friends will see you as someone to get a “friend” deal. Take the option of relocating for a time. You will build your skillset, make mistakes, learn and grow away from those who see you as the newbie. Those people will see your decision as career focused. When you return, you will be seen as someone with something new to offer.

3

It is always good to find out what the going rate of established farriers is in your area. However, once you get down to the nitty-gritty, everyone has to decide for themselves how much they need to charge based on their business expenses and their desired profit margin that will afford them the lifestyle they want. Don’t be afraid of digging into the numbers of your business. It will empower you to make well-informed monetary decisions. You need to know how much you have in business expenses. You also need to know how much you have in personal expenses. The profit made from your business should cover your personal expenses, as well as a little more margin for business growth. If you notice your lifestyle expenses have increased, you should consider increasing your profit margin by cutting business expenses and/or increasing your service prices.

The Hoof-Care Roundtables offer a valuable opportunity for farriers and equine veterinarians to share their experiences with their colleagues and learn from one another.

Mechanics in Various Footing Types for the Horse’s Job, moderated by Jason Critton, Sedalia, Colo.

1

Shoe selection is vital with horses that work on a synthetic surface. Concave, full rims, aluminum wear plates, bar shoes and improper nail fit can all increase traction and further decrease slide.

2

The number one goal when shoeing horses that work on synthetic surfaces should be to do all you can to prevent injuries.

3

Mechanics are important in shoeing sport horses that are training and showing on a synthetic surface. Mechanics include toe rockers and promote slide upon landing for jumpers.

Pros and Cons of Different Trimming Methods, moderated by Doug Anderson, Mount Airy, Md.

1

It’s important to remember that the foot is not a block of wood that we can do anything we want to when trimming. Regardless of the method, the sole should share weight rather than bear the weight. Therefore, the farrier’s priority should be leaving mass to protect the foot. The knife should be considered a scraping tool rather than a cutting tool. More consideration should be given to what farriers are leaving on the foot, rather than what’s being taken off.

2

The environment, the job that the horse performs, anatomy, balance, and whether the horse is shod or barefoot, are among the critical factors that should be considered when employing a trimming method.

3

It’s important to understand the function of the limbs and how they differ. The front limbs bear the majority of the weight, while the hind provide propulsion. As a result of the differences in function, they need to be trimmed differently.

Respectfully Educating Clients Despite the Influence of the Internet, moderated by Mike Stine, Marshville, N.C.

1

It’s important that farriers stay in the loop with continuing education and remaining current on research-based information. Educate your clients as you go along by answering their questions and let new customers know that you are always willing to talk with them about their concerns. Always be honest when you don’t know an answer to a question but be sure to tell them that you’ll find out and follow up. Show your customers what you are doing with their horse. When you disagree with clients, share your viewpoint, but do it kindly.

2

When a client comes up with an off-the-wall idea from the internet or a horse buddy, be willing to discuss it with them. Ask the source of the information. If it’s erroneous, gently steer the client away and give them better research-based references. You can use your social media platform and/or website to send people to reputable articles and websites. It’s critical to avoid arguments on social media. A kind answer will go much further than becoming angry or emotional.

3

It’s important to emphasize that you as the farrier need to be a part of the team and have direct communication with the client and veterinarian. It helps when everyone is on the same page and can collaborate to help the horse. Farriers can send photos to vets of what they’re doing, while vets can reciprocate by sending radiographs to farriers. If a scheduling conflict arises and both the farrier and vet cannot see the horse at the same time, arrange a meeting or a phone call to discuss the matter.

Recognizing and Overcoming Burnout, moderated by Todd Allen, Vandergrift, Pa.

1

Set boundaries for each day and learn to say no.

2

Make your work as enjoyable as possible. If you don’t look forward to servicing a certain client, look for ways to replace them and their horses.

3

Manage your pain and stress in a healthy manner. Don’t be hesitant to consult a doctor or a counselor.

4

Your family can be a valuable support system. Find a balance between providing for them and spending time with them. A hobby that you enjoy that isn’t related to shoeing is critical.

Pros and Cons of Diversifying Your Practice, moderated by Curtis Burns of Wellington, Fla.

1

There are strong benefits to being more than a one-trick pony, yet there is also a great deal of credibility in being strong in a niche area. Creating opportunities for exposure to a range of disciplines might open a door you wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. Not to mention, the greater your network of connections in various disciplines, the more valuable your continued education becomes.

2

Have you evaluated the shoeing techniques you use, and have you asked yourself why it is you use them? Understanding the why behind what we do makes us better horseshoers. Valuable and solid justifications for your techniques will solidify and reinforce them. Bracing against what you don’t know or understand only makes you inflexible. Be an independent thinker. You have far more to gain with an open mind than you have to lose. Remember that you are an advocate for the horse. You have a responsibility to remain open-minded on its behalf.

3

Location determines the disciplines that farriers work on, the breeds that you are exposed to, how much money you make and the way you shoe. How you shoe and the fine details of shoeing truly come to light based on where the horse is. What footing is the horse being ridden on? What environment is the horse living in? Is the horse traveling from one location to the next? How have you best prepared the horse to succeed in its environment? Have you successfully accomplished a goal for a horse in one arena, then found that particular approach didn’t work in a different scenario? Horses are dynamic. That’s why formulas and rigid textbook rules for how to shoe work best as suggestive outlines. The only reliable formula is to shoe the horse according to its formula instead of yours.

March 2020