Remedial Farriery
Remedial and corrective farriery is an important element of our orthopaedic service. Poor foot balance contributes significantly to many lameness and back pain cases and corrective farriery is frequently recommended as part of the initial treatment. A team approach between our diagnostic clinicians, orthopaedic surgeons and remedial farriers ensures that each horse or pony receives individual treatment tailored to their conformation and shoeing requirements. Simon Curtis FWCF acts as our consultant farrier and Martin Beadle DWCF, who has many years' experience in remedial farriery, is at the hospital 3 days a week (Monday to Friday) to attend horses referred by vets or other farriers.
When is remedial farriery needed?
We see all types of horses and ponies who require farriery to help with a range of problems: from young foals with limb deformities, to older horses with a bowed tendon, to those who have sustained traumatic hoof injuries and, of course, laminitis cases. The farriers work closely with our clinicians, frequently using radiographs as guidance.
Depending on the individual horse or pony, the farriers will decide what course of action they deem most appropriate to correct the problem. Their methods may include the use of traditional or plastic shoes, sole packing, or the use of acrylic hoof fillers to repair hoof wall defects. Re-examination of the horse is carried out at the time of re-shoeing, which we normally recommend at 5-week intervals. As soon as the correction has been achieved, the aim is for the client to return to their own farrier, with whom our vets are happy to liaise.
Referrals
Horses can be referred to the hospital for remedial or corrective farriery by vets or by other farriers. Our clinicians aim to work alongside farriers, to encourage co-operation and to share knowledge on difficult cases to ensure a successful outcome for our clients and their equines.