Unfortunately, there are times when horses get hurt and farriers are called upon to aid them.

The type and severity of the injury will dictate whether we are providing service for a rehabilitation period — or for the duration of the horse’s life.

At some point in our careers, most of us will be presented with a hoof avulsion. We’re asked to help a horse that has damaged a heel or may even have a large portion of a foot missing. In such a case, what should we do and why?

Shoes For A Goal

When presented with an avulsion, we first think about disengaging the area or floating that portion of the foot. Often the Z-bar shoe comes to mind.

But let’s take a moment to stop and think about the Z-bar shoe. Consider what it does and what it does not do for the horse.

A horse with a hoof avulsion. A large chunk of the foot is gone and the area needs protection and flotation.

With an avulsion, the horse is missing a part of the foot that it should have — and would have, if the injury hadn’t happened.

It is important to cover this injured and missing area with a shoe for support and protection. This is when a heart bar shoe should come…