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.
- 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.
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.
Then your horse can have the most appropriate shoes or trim!
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If hooves are your jam, this book is for you.
A simple and trusted hoof supplement.
For added squish during laminitis or other painful hoof trauma.
The gold standard for stinging hooves and anytime you need to pack the hooves.
Support and softness for laminitis and other painful hoof conditions.
Buy bulk and save! This is great for stubborn hoof infections like seedy toe and thrush.
Feed your horse's hoof health from the inside out.
This supplement helps high-laminitis risk horses and has calming ingredients like magnesium.
The gold standard for bell boots in a rainbow of colors.
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.
This style is great to protect the hoof, but is not soft and squishy for laminitis cases.
These boots are great for protecting barefoot horses.
This is the strongest hoof pick available!
- Easyboot Rx2 by Easycare, Inc.
- Lightweight therapy hoof boot
- Integrated midsole
- Rocker bottom is made of rubber
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Take the heat out, reduce inflammation, help prevent long-term damage, and dress your horse in cute colors after a ride.
For added squish during laminitis or other painful hoof trauma.
Support and softness for laminitis and other painful hoof conditions.
This supplement for metabolic disorders is vet recommended and has science to back it up!
This supplement helps high-laminitis risk horses and has calming ingredients like magnesium.
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.
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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 gold standard for stinging hooves and anytime you need to pack the hooves.
If hooves are your jam, this book is for you.
A simple and trusted hoof supplement.
For added squish during laminitis or other painful hoof trauma.
The gold standard for stinging hooves and anytime you need to pack the hooves.
Hi-quality no-bows with Back On Track reputation (that's good!)
These boots are the gold standard for jumpers and horses that like to interfere.
Support and softness for laminitis and other painful hoof conditions.
Buy bulk and save! This is great for stubborn hoof infections like seedy toe and thrush.
These squishy quilts are the perfect mix of no-bows and thicker quilts.
Feed your horse's hoof health from the inside out.
This supplement helps high-laminitis risk horses and has calming ingredients like magnesium.
The gold standard for bell boots in a rainbow of colors.
Classic, clean, stylish boots for your horse. Great for jumping.
Be practical when wrapping your horse's legs with a traditional color, but toss in some spice with the understated pattern!
Protect your horse's legs and let them shine bright.
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.
This style is great to protect the hoof, but is not soft and squishy for laminitis cases.
Show off your horse's legs with these safe, reflective, and fashionable boots.
These boots are great for protecting barefoot horses.
These SilverSox are great for protecting the legs from rubs, help with scratches and mud fever, and provide some compression, too.
Take the heat out, reduce inflammation, help prevent long-term damage, and dress your horse in cute colors after a ride.
This is the strongest hoof pick available!
These are amazing for riding. They take some wrestling to get on, but they will stay on.
Hi-quality no-bows with Back On Track reputation (that's good!)
These boots are the gold standard for jumpers and horses that like to interfere.
These squishy quilts are the perfect mix of no-bows and thicker quilts.
Classic, clean, stylish boots for your horse. Great for jumping.
Be practical when wrapping your horse's legs with a traditional color, but toss in some spice with the understated pattern!
Protect your horse's legs and let them shine bright.
Show off your horse's legs with these safe, reflective, and fashionable boots.
These SilverSox are great for protecting the legs from rubs, help with scratches and mud fever, and provide some compression, too.
Take the heat out, reduce inflammation, help prevent long-term damage, and dress your horse in cute colors after a ride.
Thank you!