What is breakover? If you ask five farriers, you’ll probably get as many definitions, Dr. Michael Miller told attendees at the 13th annual International Hoof-Care Summit in Cincinnati, Ohio.
In most cases, it’s fairly easy to determine that a foal’s legs are crooked when observing the limbs while standing in front of the horse. Yet, that’s not the correct manner in which to examine it, according to Cornell University Equine Hospital veterinarian Norm Ducharme.
With more than 1,000 pounds of mass traveling at 35 miles per hour, the demands placed on each tendon and ligament in an equine limb can seem overwhelming.
Before reaching for hoof packing, it’s important to consider why. Ask yourself, what’s behind the intention of packing the hoof? How will it benefit the horse? It’s important to scrutinize your reasons and establish an objective.
What consideration do you give to trimming the frog?
“I think we overlook it,” Danville, Ill., farrier Steve Sermersheim told attendees at the D.L. Schwartz Farrier Supply clinic in October. “I used to overlook it. I would just trim the frog and go on.”
When altering horses’ traction, farriers are applying lessons that they learned when they were but knee-high to a grasshopper. It’s called the Goldilocks principle.
A: On routine visits where I have a prior history with the horse, the first thing I ask the client is how has the horse been traveling/going? Has there been anything different? Is there something that should be discussed that would require jogging the horse? If everything is normal, then I do not jog the horse.
Time is not a friend when a foal is presented with crooked legs.
Growth plates close relatively quickly, which doesn’t leave a farrier and veterinarian much time if intervention is necessary.
Oleo Acres Farrier and Blacksmith Supply owner Rob Michel walks viewers through the Littleton, Colo., warehouse. Inventory is organized with the customer in mind. If the product is in stock and easy to find, farriers can spend more time under a horse, which Michel says is more money in your pocket.
Equine Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance (ECIR) Group Inc. is hosting a webinar titled "PPID and the Seasonal Rise" at 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. Dr. Eleanor M. Kellon and Dr. Kathleen M. Gustafson are the clinicians.
At Doc Foal's, we manufacture The Black Pads and The Black Pads PLUS (featuring embedded magnets and copper). Our hybrid pads work seamlessly with your choice of conventional horseshoe, combining metal for structure with polyurethane for exceptional comfort and shock absorption.
Designed as a...
We stock a wide range of high-quality products from trusted brands to ensure durability, performance, and reliability in every job you undertake. Our extensive inventory of horseshoe products and farrier tools means you can find everything you need in one place, saving you time and effort. Your satisfaction is our top priority. We are committed to providing excellent customer service, prompt shipping, and hassle-free returns.
Equilox International Inc. specializes in equine horse hoof adhesives. Developed in 1988 after many trials and extensive research at leading universities and equine centers throughout the U.S., the Equilox Adhesive Hoof Repair System was originally used to treat competitive horses. Now, Equilox Adhesive is used by farriers, equine centers, and horse owners — as well as various zoo and wildlife centers — throughout the world.