Through my work at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, I work closely with the college’s veterinarians and veterinary students, as well as the farriers whose cases come to the hospital. This has given me the perspective of seeing how both sides work best together — and how either can hinder this relationship

Reviewing my experiences, I have three simple ways in which veterinarians can work well with farriers for the health of the horse.

Speak Face-to-Face – Even Over the Smartphone

The ideal veterinarian-farrier situation is working as a team on-site together. Both should be open-minded and have open communication. The farrier and veterinarian should be there from the start — collecting the history, reviewing diagnostic techniques and so on. And then coming up with a solution based on principles to aid in the treatment of whatever specific disease, conformational defect or other issue. The farrier should explain how to accomplish those goals, given their specific techniques, experiences and available supplies.

Hopefully the client is on board, but if not, the veterinarian and farrier should step away and review other options that may accomplish the same goal to help the horse. Once the owner approves, the team carries out this plan, and the team reviews progress over coming days or weeks.

Because of schedules, this ideal scenario isn’t always possible. If for whatever reason both practitioners can’t be there at the same time, commit the time to do so through modem technology. We all have access to platforms on…