Understanding Equine Hoof Care

This covers the basics of hoof care and horseshoeing. Topics range from simple cleaning to trimming and shoeing the foot to dealing with hoof injuries and complex lameness problems. It also described how to achieve healthy hooves through proper nutrition, conscientious care, and proper used of the horse.

The equine hoof is a complex marvel of natural engineering, built to withstand tremendous forces and able to adapt to an astonishing range of environmental conditions. It also changes daily–for better or for worse–in response to external and internal factors. Few horse owners have the opportunity to acquire a deep understanding of the hoof, which limits their ability to advocate on their horses’ behalf and make informed decisions about hoof care and management. This book is the first resource of its kind to combine the most current and useful information available, gleaned from the research and wisdom of top hoof experts around the world, with a unique “hands-on” approach. The authors provide basic terms and anatomy, clearly illustrate the differences between healthy and unhealthy feet, discuss biomechanics and management concerns, and cover the causes, treatments, and prevention of commonly encountered problems, including laminitis, white line disease, and thrush. Along the way, readers are given activities to help them better analyze and understand the most important aspects of equine hoof health, such as hoof balance, depth of sole, and point of breakover. Easy–to–follow language, over 400 full–color photographs, and do–it–yourself exercises promise to empower horse owners and caretakers of all experience levels with the tools they need to accurately assess hoof health and keep their horses as sound and happy as possible.

Hoof Care Today is a helpful tool for anyone looking for solutions to unsound horses, for horse owners interested in hoof care, or for people looking at starting a career as a hoof care provider. This book covers a basic, common sense approach to understanding good foot function, how to read hoof distortions that can lead to lameness, basic trimming & shoeing guidelines, and an introduction to common lameness issues. Like its predecessor "New Hope for Soundness", this edition offers a quality foundation for understanding hoof care, without all the fluff. Straight forward, practical, common sense hoof care!

Help your horse put his best foot forward! Stressing the critical importance of hoof care to your horse’s overall health, this guide covers all aspects of proper hoof maintenance — from dealing with lost shoes, cracks, and thrush to promoting healthy hooves through a balanced diet. With in-depth discussions of hoof anatomy, the role of the farrier, and the importance of daily routines, Horse Hoof Care provides everything you need to know to give your horse a solid foundation of healthy, strong hooves.

Natural hoof care is now being recognized as the most important new direction in horse care. At the forefront of this artful science is Pete Ramey, experienced natural hoof care practitioner. Pete has written Making Natural Hoof Care Work for You for horse owners, vets, and, of course, hoof care providers, wanting "straight talk" and reliable information on how to "cross-over" into natural hoof care. Pete's book is written in an easygoing, maverick style, that will guide you with confidence away from the pitfalls of shoeing and into the heart of true natural trimming, booting, and natural horsekeeping practices. Book jacket.

Understanding the Horse's Feet sets out to explain the complexity of this subject in terms that the lay person can understand, and help the horse owner to have confidence in discussing foot-related issues with their vet or farrier/trimmer. The perennial problem of laminitis is examined in depth, together with other conditions that commonly affect the horse's foot.

The original guide to barefoot hoof care. Step by step instructions for horse owners wanting to do their own natural hoof care. Based on Jaime Jackson's research with wild horses and his many years as a successful hoof care provider and clinician. Includes recommendations for dealing with unnatural hoof shapes and problem hooves. Essential reading for anyone who intends to take his or her horse barefoot. Over 200 illustrations, photographs and diagrams.

Author Fran Jurgo discusses how to provide the horse with daily foot care, how to choose a farrier, and how to prevent certain lameness problems.

Illustrated in full color throughout, with more than 650 specially commissioned color photographs and diagrams, Complete Horse Care Manual is almost a Vet-in-Your-Pocket for horse owners, telling you how to provide regular care and attention for your horse, how to guard against health problems, and when the problem is serious enough to need professional attention. Providing the enthusiast with a sound understanding of how a horse functions, this manual clearly explains in non-technical terms the key elements of the horse's make-up, from legs and joints to teeth and jaws, from body systems to body language. Topics covered include the all-important but routine procedures such as clipping, trimming, and shoeing, to more vital subjects such as grazing requirements and nutritional needs. There are extremely useful 'Disorders' Fact Finder sections, there is advice on horse transport takes into account new research, and the latest information on equine passports and microchipping.