Does your Farrier need x-rays to properly trim your horse?

 

Well, we take temps, pulse, and resp (TPR for short) daily so that we know when something is wrong long before our horse tells us. It’s the same with our horse’s hooves. Taking periodic radiographs lets you, your veterinarian, and your farrier know if the current shoeing or trimming plan is appropriate. It also provides a baseline should your horse develop hoof problems – like laminitis – where the bones inside might shift.

 

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horse getting hoof x-rays

 

  • Besides providing a baseline of what your horse’s hooves should look like, a series of x-rays allows your veterinarian and farrier to see the side to side angles and the front to back angles of the bones inside. We might all be experts at what the hoof should look like, but none of us have the superpower to look inside with x-ray vision of our own.

 

What x-rays show

 

 

  • The view of your horse’s anatomy inside the hoof allows your horse’s hoof to be shod in the optimal neutral position.

 

  • As your horse works, the hoof and the structures inside will shift, testing the horse’s range of motion.

 

  • If the balance of the bones inside the hoof is not in balance or neutral when at rest, the outer limits of your horse’s range of motion is compromised.

 

  • This can create poor performance, soft tissue issues, and lameness. Not to mention discomfort! Even a few degrees makes a big difference.

 

screen with many angles of hoof x-rays

 

The repetitive motions of our horse’s jobs influence how sound and comfortable he is.

 

  • With a properly aligned hoof, you give your horse the best balance available and help your horse avoid hitting the extremes inside the hoof.

 

Usually, you only need a few x-ray of each hoof to see what’s going on inside.

 

  • A view from the side, and a view from the front.

 

  • If there’s something “interesting” going on inside, a few more views might be taken.

 

  • Because the views are taken with your horse barefoot (usually), it makes sense to have your Vet shoot the radiographs while your Farrier is there.

 

  • Some Vets prefer the radiographs to be taken at the end of a shoeing cycle to see everything at it’s most extreme.

 

horse on blocks for hoof radiograph

 

Then your horse can have the most appropriate shoes or trim!

 

go shopping button for horse products

 

Stock up here for your horse supplies! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, but it’s ZERO extra cents to you.  You can also visit my Amazon storefront here:  PEG storefront.

The Essential Hoof Book: The Complete Modern Guide to Horse Feet BOOK
$45.00 $29.36

If hooves are your jam, this book is for you. 

11/03/2024 11:07 pm GMT
EASYCARE Easyboot Rx Therapy
$80.95

For added squish during laminitis or other painful hoof trauma.

11/03/2024 11:08 pm GMT
Magic Cushion Hoof Packing 4LBS
$54.59

The gold standard for stinging hooves and anytime you need to pack the hooves.

11/03/2024 11:08 pm GMT
EasyCare Easyboot Cloud Hoof Boot
$103.95 $98.85

Support and softness for laminitis and other painful hoof conditions.

11/03/2024 11:08 pm GMT
Grand Circuit White Lightning Liquid (64 oz)
$108.64 $101.99

Buy bulk and save! This is great for stubborn hoof infections like seedy toe and thrush.

11/03/2024 11:17 pm GMT
Quiessence (Large-14 lbs)
$85.98

This supplement helps high-laminitis risk horses and has calming ingredients like magnesium.

11/03/2024 11:08 pm GMT
Professional's Choice Ballistic No-Turn Overreach Bell Boots
$33.99

The gold standard for bell boots in a rainbow of colors.

11/04/2024 08:40 am GMT
Cavallo Horse & Rider Sport Regular Sole Hoof Boot
$169.85

These boots are my favorite for wrapping hooves with poultice or clay and a diaper. No more duct tape boots! You can also use inserts with these for more squish.

11/03/2024 10:58 pm GMT
Cavallo Simple Hoof Boot for Horses, Size 3, Black
$182.95

This style is great to protect the hoof, but is not soft and squishy for laminitis cases.

11/03/2024 11:23 pm GMT
CHALLENGER Crease Nail Puller Shoe
$42.99

Using this makes shoe removal easy!

11/04/2024 08:29 am GMT
10/21/2024 11:51 am GMT
Silver Bells - Sox For Horses

For hoof protection when equine pastern dermatitis is a risk.

Durasole
$16.85
11/04/2024 01:58 am GMT
Handson Ergonomic Hoof Pick
$19.99

This is the strongest hoof pick available!

11/04/2024 03:23 am GMT
EASYCARE Easyboot Rx Therapy
$80.95

For added squish during laminitis or other painful hoof trauma.

11/03/2024 11:08 pm GMT
EasyCare Easyboot Cloud Hoof Boot
$103.95 $98.85

Support and softness for laminitis and other painful hoof conditions.

11/03/2024 11:08 pm GMT
Metabarol Horse Supplement Pellets with Resveratrol, Metabolic Support Supplement, 3.3 lbs
$176.50

This supplement for metabolic disorders is vet recommended and has science to back it up!

11/03/2024 11:43 pm GMT
Quiessence (Large-14 lbs)
$85.98

This supplement helps high-laminitis risk horses and has calming ingredients like magnesium.

11/03/2024 11:08 pm GMT
The Essential Hoof Book: The Complete Modern Guide to Horse Feet BOOK
$45.00 $29.36

If hooves are your jam, this book is for you. 

11/03/2024 11:07 pm GMT
Grazing Muzzle by GG Equine

Basket-style grazing muzzle to help keep a horse at a healthy weight and help reduce the risks of colic and laminitis in some horses.


Use code 15PROEQUINE for savings sitewide on muzzles, halters, slow feeders, and more.

Grazing Muzzle Accessories GG Equine

Help your horse have the best-fitting grazing muzzle.


Use code 15PROEQUINE for a site-wide discount on halters, muzzles, slow feeders, and accessories.

11/04/2024 12:28 am GMT
Halters and Muzzles from GG Equine

These grazing muzzle halters have adjustable throat latches and extra strapping to help prevent removal.


Use code 15PROEQUINE for a sitewide discount on muzzles, halters, accessories, and slow feeders.

The Essential Hoof Book: The Complete Modern Guide to Horse Feet BOOK
$45.00 $29.36

If hooves are your jam, this book is for you. 

11/03/2024 11:07 pm GMT
Horse Health Joint Combo Hoof & Coat Supplement 30 Day Supply
$58.99

A simple and trusted hoof supplement.

11/03/2024 11:07 pm GMT
EASYCARE Easyboot Rx Therapy
$80.95

For added squish during laminitis or other painful hoof trauma.

11/03/2024 11:08 pm GMT
Magic Cushion Hoof Packing 4LBS
$54.59

The gold standard for stinging hooves and anytime you need to pack the hooves.

11/03/2024 11:08 pm GMT
Back on Track Therapeutic Welltex No Bow Leg Wraps for Horses - One Pair
$65.95

Hi-quality no-bows with Back On Track reputation (that's good!)

10/21/2024 12:31 pm GMT
Eskadron - Tendon Boots PRO Flex Classic Front
$169.00

These boots are the gold standard for jumpers and horses that like to interfere. 

11/03/2024 05:33 pm GMT
11/04/2024 05:43 am GMT
EasyCare Easyboot Cloud Hoof Boot
$103.95 $98.85

Support and softness for laminitis and other painful hoof conditions.

11/03/2024 11:08 pm GMT
Back on Track Therapeutic Knee Boots
$84.53

No more bed sores!

11/03/2024 11:58 pm GMT
11/04/2024 06:24 am GMT
11/04/2024 04:06 am GMT
Grand Circuit White Lightning Liquid (64 oz)
$108.64 $101.99

Buy bulk and save! This is great for stubborn hoof infections like seedy toe and thrush.

11/03/2024 11:17 pm GMT
Quiessence (Large-14 lbs)
$85.98

This supplement helps high-laminitis risk horses and has calming ingredients like magnesium.

11/03/2024 11:08 pm GMT
Professional's Choice Ballistic No-Turn Overreach Bell Boots
$33.99

The gold standard for bell boots in a rainbow of colors.

11/04/2024 08:40 am GMT
Weaver Leather Polo Leg Wraps, 4-Pack, Cactus
$28.68

Be practical when wrapping your horse's legs with a traditional color, but toss in some spice with the understated pattern!

11/04/2024 08:40 am GMT
CENTAUR Double Tab Bell Boots

So bright and fun for hoof protection.

HORZE High-Visibility Reflective Neoprene Protective Horse Boots, Pair
$39.99

Protect your horse's legs and let them shine bright.

11/04/2024 08:39 am GMT
11/04/2024 08:30 am GMT
Finish Line Horse Products Fura Free Gel (1 lb)
$19.19

This salve is an alternative to Fura-Zone!

10/21/2024 11:56 am GMT
Cavallo Horse & Rider Sport Regular Sole Hoof Boot
$169.85

These boots are my favorite for wrapping hooves with poultice or clay and a diaper. No more duct tape boots! You can also use inserts with these for more squish.

11/03/2024 10:58 pm GMT
07/07/2024 06:58 pm GMT
Cavallo Simple Hoof Boot for Horses, Size 3, Black
$182.95

This style is great to protect the hoof, but is not soft and squishy for laminitis cases.

11/03/2024 11:23 pm GMT
Woof Wear Reflective Club Boot - Lime
$42.99

Show off your horse's legs with these safe, reflective, and fashionable boots.

11/04/2024 04:48 am GMT
CHALLENGER Crease Nail Puller Shoe
$42.99

Using this makes shoe removal easy!

11/04/2024 08:29 am GMT
10/21/2024 11:51 am GMT
Silver Whinnys from Sox For Horses!

Skin protection that can get wet. Use code PEG20 for savings on the Silver Whinnys.

Whinny Wellies from Sox For Horses

Tough, weather-resistant covering for wraps and bandaging.

Silver Bells - Sox For Horses

For hoof protection when equine pastern dermatitis is a risk.

Durasole
$16.85
11/04/2024 01:58 am GMT
11/04/2024 12:28 am GMT
Handson Ergonomic Hoof Pick
$19.99

This is the strongest hoof pick available!

11/04/2024 03:23 am GMT
EASYCARE Easyboot Glove Soft Hoof Boot for Horses, Neoprene, Elastic Gaiter, All-Terrain Tread (2.5)
$93.95

These are amazing for riding. They take some wrestling to get on, but they will stay on.

10/21/2024 11:50 am GMT
Eskadron - Tendon Boots PRO Flex Classic Front
$169.00

These boots are the gold standard for jumpers and horses that like to interfere. 

11/03/2024 05:33 pm GMT
Back on Track Therapeutic Knee Boots
$84.53

No more bed sores!

11/03/2024 11:58 pm GMT
11/04/2024 06:24 am GMT
11/04/2024 04:06 am GMT
Weaver Leather Polo Leg Wraps, 4-Pack, Cactus
$28.68

Be practical when wrapping your horse's legs with a traditional color, but toss in some spice with the understated pattern!

11/04/2024 08:40 am GMT
11/04/2024 07:43 am GMT
HORZE High-Visibility Reflective Neoprene Protective Horse Boots, Pair
$39.99

Protect your horse's legs and let them shine bright.

11/04/2024 08:39 am GMT
06/12/2024 01:28 am GMT
11/04/2024 08:30 am GMT
Finish Line Horse Products Fura Free Gel (1 lb)
$19.19

This salve is an alternative to Fura-Zone!

10/21/2024 11:56 am GMT
Woof Wear Reflective Club Boot - Lime
$42.99

Show off your horse's legs with these safe, reflective, and fashionable boots.

11/04/2024 04:48 am GMT
Silver Whinnys from Sox For Horses!

Skin protection that can get wet. Use code PEG20 for savings on the Silver Whinnys.

Whinny Wellies from Sox For Horses

Tough, weather-resistant covering for wraps and bandaging.

11/04/2024 12:28 am GMT

Thank you!

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