American Farriers Journal
American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
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A Sound Farrier Needs Proper Fitting Shoes
Incorrectly sized footgear fails to support your back, hips and joints
Pictured Above: Too often a low toe box will deny the ability to flex the ankle and then one’s gait is compromised. The toe box in this shoe is at an appropriate angle.
Editorial note: This is the second in a three-part series in which human and equine chiropractor Patricia Bona explores the significance of proper shoe fit and how to achieve it.
Farrier Takeaways
- In shoes that fit appropriately, your toes should be free to spread apart to be able to articulate and feel the center of gravity of body to the ground.
- Without propulsion for the foot and ankle (intrinsic foot and calf muscles) you will overuse your hip flexors and compromise your back and hips.
- Proper fitting shoes allow your foot and ankle to function dynamically through all of the ranges of motion.
Few professions can compare the physical strength and prowess needed to stay physically sound as a farrier. You bend, lift and twist all day, often with your head at the level of your hips. All the while you are handling and being handled by a sizable animal with a mind of its own and under environmental variables of temperature, footing and lighting, as well as a third person, if you have a handler. The last thing you need is to have your feet weigh you down and trip you up.
A study by the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research in 2018 found that 63 to 72% of the population are wearing the wrong…
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Top Directory Listings
Life Data Labs Inc
Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.
Kawell USA
Kawell develops and produces copper alloy horseshoes and inserts, giving horses the care that they need to fight issues associated with white line disease, seedy toe and thrush.
SmartPak
From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.