Home / Authors / Audrey Pavia

Audrey Pavia

Audrey Pavia is a freelance writer and author of 23 books about animals. She lives with a host of animals at her Norco, Calif., home.

Articles

ARTICLES

Looking For Lameness During A Pre-Purchase Exam

Ohio vet and farrier corrects asymmetrical gaits with wireless sensors

By Audrey Pavia posted on May 12, 2018 | Posted in Anatomy, Clients, Education, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

Prospective horse owners depend on pre-purchase exams to uncover issues that could potentially affect a horse’s performance — particularly hidden lameness. Adam Pendleton, an equine veterinarian and farrier, discussed a pre-purchase exam he conducted on a 10-year-old Quarter Horse mare during which he utilized an interesting method to determine the mare’s soundness: the Equinosis Q with Lameness Locator.

The Farrier’s Role In Correcting Angular Limb Deformities

Proven techniques for treating mild to serious deviations in foals

By Audrey Pavia posted on March 10, 2018 | Posted in Anatomy, Diseases, Lamenesses, Therapeutic Shoeing, Trimming

Angular limb deformities in foals are not created equal. Yet, corrections can be made with quick and appropriate farriery and veterinary intervention. After nearly a half-century of hoof-care experience, including 2 decades as the head farrier at the University of California Veterinary School in Davis, Kirk Adkins has considerable experience with angular limb deformities, particularly in Thoroughbred foals.

What Causes Club Feet?

Hall Of Fame farrier Doug Butler examines why flexure limb deformities develop and how to prevent and manage them

By Audrey Pavia posted on December 4, 2017

The characteristics of a flexure limb deformity, commonly referred to as club foot, are easy to identify. Growth rings are wider at the heel, the toe is usually dished, the hoof is high on the heel and the coffin joint axis is broken forward. Radiographs often reveal that the coffin bone is deformed or remodeled. But what causes it?

Get A Leg Up On Common Foot Woes

Hoof-care professionals share strategies to prevent and stop thrush and white line disease

By Audrey Pavia posted on March 6, 2017 | Posted in Anatomy, Diseases

One of the consequences of domestic life for horses is hoof disease. Diet and heredity, along with confinement, contribute to certain serious conditions of the hoof.

Considerations For Negative Plantar Angles

Farriers and veterinarians share thoughts on the diagnosis and treatment of this condition

By Audrey Pavia posted on December 5, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Therapeutic Shoeing

One of the more common hind end problems that vets and farriers see is associated with negative plantar angles. This issue can present itself as a subtle limitation in performance to outright lameness.

Why Equine Bones Break and Tendons Rupture

Understanding anatomy and physics can help prevent severe injuries

By Audrey Pavia posted on May 9, 2016 | Posted in Anatomy, Education, Lamenesses

The life of one of the most promising racehorses of our time was cut short in 2006 after a long struggle to recover from a shattered fetlock. Barbaro’s injury at the Preakness Stakes and the New Bolton Center's heroic attempts to save him drew a lot of attention to the question of why so many young performance horses suffer from broken bones and ruptured tendons. Are these kinds of injuries inevitable? Should we give up trying to solve this problem?

Discuss Climate And Environment With Your Owners

Taking time to educate novice horse owners on better horse care can save you headaches down the road

By Audrey Pavia posted on April 4, 2016 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

Farriers know too well how the effects of weather and where a horse is kept greatly affect the overall health of that horse’s hooves. Often, that familiarity comes because farriers must deal with the problems that result.

Preventing And Addressing Hoof Flares

Identifying and correctly managing deformations are critical to keeping horses sound

By Audrey Pavia posted on November 30, 2015 | Posted in Education, Diseases, Lamenesses, Trimming

Hoof flare is one of the most common issues facing farriers today. Yet as often as it’s seen, hoof flare is also potentially crippling to the horse. Recognizing hoof flare and treating it can be crucial to keeping your clients’ horses healthy and sound.

Giving Your Opinion For A Pre-Purchase Exam

It is important to reserve your opinions on a horse specifically related to its footcare

By Audrey Pavia posted on May 8, 2015 | Posted in Business Practices, Clients

Before purchasing a horse, it is common for buyers to contact a veterinarian for advice on the animal prior to the sale. Wise buyers also will seek the expertise of a farrier during the evaluation. After all, farriers are the ultimate experts on the hooves and these days it is increasingly important for owners to understand the hoof health in relation to the rest of the horse.

Rehabilitating Equine Tendon Injuries

Equine veterinarian Roland Thaler delivers an overview of the process for diagnosing and overcoming this issue

By Audrey Pavia posted on December 1, 2014 | Posted in Anatomy, Lamenesses

The tendons of the lower leg are one of the most crucial parts of the equine anatomy. Responsible for the elastic recall crucial for locomotion, healthy tendons are mandatory for a sound horse.

Current Issue

American Farriers Journal

American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.

Subscribe Now

Maximize Hoof Care by Thoroughly Evaluating the Whole Horse

Concave Challenge Tests Skill, Delivers Practicality

MVP's Farrier Services Tackles Hoof Concerns Across Disciplines

Must Read Free Eguides

Download these helpful knowledge building tools

Factory Shoe Size vs. Steel Length

Illinois farrier Vern Powell shares the benefits of looking at feet in terms of steel length instead of a standard factory shoe sizes. It could give you a leg up in a forging competition or when sitting for an examination.

Events

NEAEP Virtual Symposium

Date: 09/23/20

Location:

The Northeast Association of Equine Practitioners will host its annual symposium virtually beginning Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020.

View Event

More Events

Top Directory Listings

Life Data Labs Inc

Life Data Labs Inc. is a dedicated product manufacturer committed to producing premium quality animal nutrition and health products through continuous product improvement and new product development. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products. And that's why they've produced the #1 recommended hoof supplement by farriers for 12 consecutive years.

Kawell USA

Kawell began as a university project geared towards innovation, problem solving, and maintenance services for the veterinary industry. Over the last few years we have worked with specialized companies and professionals in order to develop the theoretical and technical basis needed to design and manufacture a therapeutic product for the care of horses and prevention of disease.

SmartPak

From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness.