This is a primer on hoof trimming, shoeing and overall care written primarily for horse owners, though it might serve as a starting point for someone interested in becoming a farrier.

Author Heather Smith Thomas shoes horses regularly, but she says she’s not a farrier. By that she means she doesn’t make a living shoeing horses.

The flexor tendons of the front limb of a horse are a common site of injury. Often, lacerations will damage the superficial digital flexor tendon, deep digital flexor tendon and even the suspensory ligament.