Researchers Study Hoof Management in New Zealand Sport Horses

One-third of New Zealand sport horse owners had a farrier perform therapeutic work during the previous year, according to a Massey University-based study that was published in the November 2016 issue of the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.

Researchers found that 26 of the 96 horses in the study — more than a quarter — were sidelined from training for 7 or more days as a result of a veterinarian-diagnosed lameness. The average horse experienced 26 days off, with the maximum being 93 days. Owners had been working with their farrier on hoof-related problems in 33% of the cases, while 14 of the 30 cases involved a veterinarian. Another six cases involved an allied health practitioner.

Palpating The Ungula Cartilages Can Help Monitor Heel Sheer

Lexington, Ky., farrier Steve Stanley advises that one way to monitor heel shear is to palpate the ungula cartilages.

“When palpating these cartilages, I am looking for a noticeable vertical difference between those two structures of the same hoof,” he wrote for Hoof Beats Magazine. “Heel shear is easily detected this way, even if it is not visually obvious or your eye is not used to picking up on it.”

Certain Breeds, Environments Heighten Pasture-Associated Laminitis

New research suggests that horses at greater risk of developing pasture-associated laminitis might be better identified through breed, body condition score and higher-risk environments.

Research carried out by Nanna Luthersson and colleagues and published online in the Journal of Equine…