Feet and farriers

[Elaine]

Its good practise to get a qualified farrier out every six to eight weeks. If you see a crack in your horse’s foot, get the farrier out straight away to sort it out. Small cracks can turn into big painful cracks. No foot no horse.

We have wonderful local fully qualified farriers in Ireland and these should always be your first port of call for any foot work your horse needs, shod, barefoot, remedial work or anything else. A full list of qualified Irish farriers can be found here:

www.irishfarrieryauthority.com/

If they are not on this list they are not a fully qualified farrier recognised in Ireland and please do not use them.

[ecklandshorses]

Hi Elaine

Great advice and agree that it is vital to have your farrier out at least every 8 weeks but to go one step further and without stating the obvious it is important not to rely only on the farrier. Horses feet should be picked up, picked out and examined daily. The condition of shoes, frog, hoof should be checked and farrier should be called out if required. I know this sounds obvious but we run a busy yard and you would be surprised how often I have seen GOOD riders groom, tack and ride without ever lifting their horses feet. Good hygiene and management provents Thrush, Abcess, Sandcracks etc.

Cheers
Dave