Horses aren’t uniform creatures. Each one has a slight — or not so slight —deviation in conformation that affects the way it travels and performs. That’s why Michael Wildenstein stresses the importance of evaluating everything —from the hairline of the hoof to the muscling in the shoulders — when trimming and shoeing.

This article has a very specific audience — farriers like myself who find themselves working on young stock and horses who have a poor understanding of the trimming and shoeing process.