Q. What special things do you do for a horse that has joint injuries?

A. Leverage test to better pinpoint joint issues and use this information to develop a treatment plan. This usually includes leverage reduction products and adjustable elevation prosthetics.

— Gene Ovineck, Penrose, Colo.

A. Half-round shoes for coffin joint arthritis, like the classic rollers by Kerckhaert. A lot of times I use these with a Horse Trax pad and Equi-Pak, or an open roller shoe by Grand Circuit.

— Tristan Mathes, Paris, Ky.

A. I really pay attention to proper angles all the way around to the horse’s conformation. I watch them travel and assess angle change to the horses discomfort stride.

— Jose Hernandez, Corpus Christi, Texas

A. I stand them up more in angle and make sure they are properly balanced to relive stress and pressure on the joints and tendons.

— Mark Simon, Benton Harbor, Mich.

A. I adjust breakover if needed, use a wider web or shoes with wider branches to disperse pressure as much as possible.

— Claver Tate, Teague, Texas

A. After a complete physical and knowing the problem, and getting X-rays or veterinarian care if needed, I try chiropractic, alternative care, cold laser treatment, white liniment, stretching and exercising.

— Cindy Bondowski, Coloma, Wis.

A. I hope to have a vet on board to take X-rays and see what’s really wrong and shoe accordingly, so the damage doesn’t get worse and the horse is comfortable.

— Ben Sturman, Tucson, Ariz.

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