Steve Kraus says a horse’s conformation problems can have a serious impact on footcare problems. The veteran farrier from Trumansburg, N.Y., told attendees at the recent American Farrier’s Association convention that breeding for color, show ring quality, performance ability and factors other than feet and legs have led to many of today’s conformation concerns.

A team of researchers from Australia’s University of Queensland has determined that the population of a specific type of bacteria increases in the equine hindgut just prior to the onset of laminitis.

Several states have already passed new racing regulations — with others soon to follow — that will prohibit the use of horseshoes with toe grabs that are over 2 millimeters in height on the front feet. In mid-June, The Jockey Club’s Thoroughbred safety committee...