Heather Smith Thomas

Heather Smith Thomas

Heather Smith Thomas is a freelance writer based in Salmon, Idaho. She has been writing books and articles for nearly 50 years.

ARTICLES

Product Showcase

A Sampling of Soaks and Poultices

Hoof treatment manufacturers and distributors list what they find are the benefits of using their products
Hoof poultices and soaks are used for hoof injuries, abscesses, puncture wounds, thrush, white line disease and other foot problems. Not a recent discovery, poultices of various types of clay and mud have been used for human afflictions for thousands of years, and eventually for their animals as well.
Read More
_DSC2186-Bloody-wound.jpg
Hoof-Care Focus

Dealing With Wounds on Horses' Feet

Fast and accurate assessment often required
Often, horse owners call farriers first whenever there’s a problem with a horse’s foot. Farriers may find themselves being asked to do the first aid or wound assessment when a horse suffers a puncture, cut or some other injury to the hoof, coronary band or lower leg.
Read More
Therapeutic_DSC_0019.jpg
Therapeutic Shoeing

Proper Planning, Teamwork Play Big Role

Advancements in materials and techniques offer hope for serious injuries, but place premium on continuing hoof-care education
Therapeutic shoeing has made great advances in the past few decades, partly because there’s more interest in this specialty, and also because of the development of better methods for dealing with therapeutic situations.
Read More

Hoof-Coating Roundup

Manufacturers and distributors discuss the composition, applications and advantages of their products
Years ago, horsemen used grease or wool fat to try to keep feet from getting too dry and as a moisture-repelling barrier to keep them from getting soft.
Read More
DiagnosticImaging_Opener.jpg

Using Diagnostic Imaging to Pinpoint Foot Problems

The vital information that technology can provide is another reason for farriers to work closely with veterinarians
Many new diagnostic techniques and imaging modalities have come into use and it can often be challenging to understand which ones might be best suited for a given lameness problem. It is also important to know when to use these tools.
Read More
HorseMotionBlur.jpg

Conformation's Influence on Motion

Understanding the subtle details of a horse’s conformation will best prepare you for effective trimming and shoeing
How a horse is put together — body proportions and angles, leg angles, straightness or imbalance in limbs — influences how that horse moves, how its feet push off and strike the ground and how its hooves wear and grow.
Read More

Top Articles

Current Issue

View More

Current Issue

View More

Must Read Free Eguides

Download these helpful knowledge building tools

View More
Top Directory Listings