How much research is being published each year that focuses on the equine foot?

Given the importance and interest, one might believe that there’s quite a bit that’s being generated. Yet, that’s not necessarily accurate, Renate Weller says.

The professor in comparative imaging and biomechanics at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London, England, conducted a meta analysis in 2014 in which she looked at the number of peer-reviewed papers have been published in farriery. At that time, a total of 157 papers had been published.

By way of comparison, published re­search focusing on equine diagnostic research during the same period of time was at 3,841 and steadily rising.

“We are seeing 80 to 100 new publications a year in this field,” Weller told attendees during an American Farriers Journal webinar. “Whereas, in the farrier world, we are seeing between two and a maximum of five a year.”

---

Renate Weller, professor in comparative imaging and biomechanics at the Royal Veterinary College in London, England, found that in 2014 only 157 peer-reviewed papers were published in farriery compared to 3,841 in the field of equine diagnostic research.

---

Why the discrepancy? Weller be­­lieves one reason is a lack of research skills.

“Every farrier…