All in Hoof Care
These two terms “laminitis” and “founder” are often used interchangeably however they actually mean two different things.
I’ve said this before and I’ll said it again - I don’t have an issue with shoes. If a horse truly needs protection, or is rehabilitating, providing man-made support is an amazing option! However - I do think that there are better options than metal shoes these days. This depends entirely on if the owner is dedicated & willing to explore alternative options for the sake of their horses long term wellness.
Navigating hoof pain and sensitivity is no easy feat. You must find an educated nutritionist, farrier or trimmer, vet, or EDO, and maybe even a bodyworker educated in hooves to assist you in this journey. Do not settle for less! Seek second opinions if you’re not hearing what you want to hear or if nobody is willing to listen to all of your concerns. You are your horses advocate and unfortunately that often means you’ll need to educate yourself and even the professionals that you turn to.
Do I have an issue with metal shoes? Not necessarily, but I do believe that there are other options to explore before slapping on shoes. Getting your horses diet in check and finding a progressive hoof care practitioner to start. Unfortunately, there just aren’t enough farriers embracing or educating themselves on these new options like boots and glue-on shoes.
Navigating the world of hooves is HARD. There are many varying opinions, methods and schools of thought when it comes to trimming. So - how do you know what is best for your horse?
Many popular hoof supplements, like Farriers Formula, Horseshoers Secret, and more - either contain unnecessary ingredients or do not contain the proper ratios of vitamins, minerals and amino acids that truly support hoof balance.
I cannot stress this enough - dealing with thrush is so important! Nutrition comes into play here as well but when it comes to topical treatments… The classic thrush and white line treatments, like Thrush Buster, Diluted Bleach & Copper Sulfate have harsh, caustic, ingredients.
How do horses hooves display signs of imbalance, infection or worse?