Beckie Mabbutt

These pictures are of a very poor footed thoroughbred in desperate need of trimming. He has a strange triangular shaped foot which forms a peak at the front of his hoof wall. Due to a change of diet (from winter to summer) causing a growth ring and then excessive length of foot and flaring his foot nearly broke off all the way around which would have left him in serious trouble.

Looks like I got to him just in time!!

This horse had this bruising just below the coronary band on all four feet! The only change was he moved fields and I expect maybe different levels of sugar in the grass has caused this.

The Farriery Practice ran another successful hands on client evening last month, with everyone learning about First Aid for Laminitis, what to do if your horse gets a puncture wound, some general anatomy and the uses of Aloe Vera products. Then everyone I think without exception had a go at taking off a shoe. I think the conclusion was it was really tough and they were happy to pay us to do it!!

Here is one of our youngest volunteers Tilly successfully removing a shoe.

I was involved recently in lecturing and examining local farriers for their Live Sole Hoof Mapping Examination in preparation to possibly go on and take some of the other E.L.P.O (Equine Lameness Prevention Organisation) exams later in the year. We had a great day working on Cadaver limbs.

Well done to all of those who took part.

It's incredible the trouble horses can get in, 3/4 of this shoe was on as tight as the day I left it no risen clenches or anything. Then the other 1/4 well as bent as you can get it, stopping Malibu from being able to put her foot to the ground!!