Farriers need to market their knowledge of horses and horsemanship.

A few years ago, we began adding a boxed list of important points to many of the feature stories that appear in American Farriers Journal. We call these points, “Farrier Takeaways.” Here are some of the top ones from stories featured during 2012, as well as the names of the hoof-care professionals who shared them with us. They can serve as a reminder for yourself, information you can share with fellow hoof-care professionals and as a useful learning tool for apprentices.

Trimming And Shoeing

1. Trying to reduce the heel on a unilateral club foot to match the opposing foot can place excessive strain on the deep digital flexor tendon and check ligament.

— Simon Curtis, New Market, England

2. Balance is actually a dynamic concept — it is affected by changes in speed, footing, a rider, etc., but a farrier must try to trim for it in a static setting.

— Tia Nelson, DVM, Helena, Mont.

3. The more you let your hoof shape vary from the shape of the coronary band, the more trouble you’ll have with flares.

— Dave Farley, Wellington, Fla.

White lines may not continue straight up the foot.

4. The white line may not continue straight up the hoof. It may have minor imperfections or waves that you can’t easily see, increasing the chance of a bent nail striking a sensitive structure.

— John Bradshaw, Lubbock, Texas

5. When hot fitting shoes, be careful…