Specialising in Performance Horses, Movement, Lameness & Laminitis

Using Natural Balance Hoof Care techniques

Specialising in Performance Horses, Movement, Lameness & Laminitis

Using Natural Balance Hoof Care techniques

Regular Hoof Care & Why it's so important

Here is some information on why regular quality Hoof Care is important to you and your horse and the reasons that I schedule shoeing at approximately 4 weeks and Trimming at 4 to 6 weeks.

While not all the information below may pertain to your particular horse, PLEASE take the time to completely read all the information. If you have any questions that are not answered here or by the web sites linked towards the bottom of this email please don’t hesitate to contact me.

To the untrained eye, your horse’s feet might look quite O.K. or even nice, but a trained eye will notice the seemingly small angle misalignment, the extra length of the toe, the broken forward, broken back axis of the hoof/pastern (and internal bone) or even the slight stretching of the laminae, an indicator of laminitis or possibly even founder. All conditions that are extremely undesirable, can make your horse uncomfortable and may even cause pain when moving or standing or lead to greater problems later. Imaging the discomfort you would feel if you walked directly on your toe and your toe nail was left to grow unchecked.

The appointment time frames for trimming/shoeing are based on a number of factors that allow me to provide the maximum benefit to the horse as a Farrier and Hoof Care provider.

Trimming/shoeing needs to be performed within a period that will allow your horses hooves to have grown a reasonable amount of hoof wall, but not so much as to allow the hooves to grow long and out of balance which can cause problems, or further increase existing problems (founder, laminitis etc.). Studies have shown that a period of between 4 to 6 weeks is the optimal time between treatments, regardless of breed or size. It is often found that ponies require increased hoof care, despite their feet looking good. This is due to the fact ponies have a smaller/denser more upright hoof capsule that does not flare out and crack like a larger horse, but tend to grow up, especially at the heels. This can lead to the bones of the hoof/lower leg being at a greatly increased (upright) angle.

The longer the period between trimming/shoeing, the longer the hoof grows and the more the horse’s hooves become out of balance. This leads to stance/movement problems and excess stress and strain being placed on bones, ligaments, tendons of the leg and foot as well as causing problems within the hoof itself. A long toe can also cause problems such as long toe/low heel syndrome, contracted heels and toe or quarter cracks. The excess strain on the internal structures of the hoof and hoof wall can often result in Laminitis (stretching of the lamiae). Not to be confused with Founder.

With a Foundered horse the treatment period needs to be needs to be reduced so that the heels can be kept trimmed and the toe length does not become excessive. This can happen very quickly with a Foundered horse as it is standing/balancing incorrectly (in an attempt to reduce the pressure on the already sore/painful areas of the hoof) and the lack of movement of the horse due to the pain. Frequently trimming the heels allows the horse to reduce the pain in the hoof caused from pressure exerted onto the tip of the coffin bone when standing and moving.

A horses hooves grow at an average rate (approx. ¼ inch every 4 weeks) regardless of where the horse lives and work load it is under or whether it has shoes on or not. And while this may not seem a lot to you, to the horse it is a full shoe size, that is why shoes are a little larger than the hoof at shoeing time, as this allows the horse to grow into the shoe and NOT over the shoe.

If a horse has a hoof balance issue (being turned in/out, long toe/low heel, inside or outside of hoof being longer than the other) it tends to wear away the side that is bearing the most weight (the shortest side), while the other side of the hoof is not worn as much and thereby increasing the problem. Cracks in the hoof wall due to incorrect weight bearing or long toes can also result.

The solution to most hoof and leg issues in horses is correct timing of trimming/shoeing to reduce the amount of hoof growth or the amount the hoof is worn incorrectly.

Of course if I attend to a horse and there is less than ¼ of an inch of correct/even growth this means that the hoof is being worn down almost as quickly as it is growing and I DO NOT trim the feet as this would cause the horse to become sore over the following few weeks, due to lack of natural protection.

With a horse that is shod, the hoof is not worn down at all as it is protected by the shoe and therefore continues to grow forward uninterrupted. So correct timing of shoeing is very important. The hoof will grow over the shoe if left too long, thereby causing a broken back hoof pastern axis and increasing the leverage needed for break-over. The now small shoe may also cause corns, under-run heels and sole bruising.

Older horses, like older people experience more joint pain then their younger counterparts. Regular, correctly trimming/shoeing can help ease any discomfort by maintaining the correct angle and length of the hooves. This can ease their way of going (moving) therefore keeping them going in more comfort and less pain for longer.

The condition of your horse’s hooves not only affects the health and comfort of your horse but directly reflects my ability and reputation. I have worked very hard to gain the abilities and knowledge, that allow to know how to keep your horses feet in the best condition possible and this has thereby increased my reputation as a quality Farrier and Hoof Care provider, something I am very proud of and intend to continually strive to keep.

Information on how you can assess your horse’s hooves for length, balance and more can be gained at the website of the “Equine Lameness Prevention Organisation”

www.e-hoofcare.com

Below are more sites with information of hoof care, treatment periods and hoof conditions.

http://kb.rspca.org.au/How-often-should-my-horse-see-the-farrier_485.html

http://kb.rspca.org.au/What-is-laminitis-and-how-can-it-be-prevented-or-treated_461.html

http://kb.rspca.org.au/What-weight-should-my-horse-be_484.html

http://www.aboutyourhorse.com/horse-hoof-care

http://www.equiculture.com.au/Equi%20rspca%20hoof%20care.pdf

I hope this helps you to understand the necessity of why I do what I do when I do it.

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About Us

About Me

I began my Horseshoeing career in 1985 when I shod my first horse unassisted and unsupervised

I obtained a Diploma in Horseshoeing from the USA in 1997.

I am a member of the Equine Lameness Prevention

Organization

www.lamenessprevention.org

The Northeast Association of Equine Practitioners

www.theneaep.com

In 2000 I became a Certified Farri

I began my Horseshoeing career in 1985 when I shod my first horse unassisted and unsupervised

I obtained a Diploma in Horseshoeing from the USA in 1997.

I am a member of the Equine Lameness Prevention

Organization

www.lamenessprevention.org

The Northeast Association of Equine Practitioners

www.theneaep.com

In 2000 I became a Certified Farrier with the Brotherhood of Working Farriers (USA)

www.bwfa.net

In 2012 I became an Accredited Professional Farrier with the

International Association of Professional Farriers (IAPF).

www.professionalfarriers.com

I have also completed the IAPF Foundation Credentialing and the Hunter/Jumper Level 3 Credentialing

In 2019 I was given the great honor of being selected as the President of the Australian branch of the International Association of Professional Farriers.

IAPF - Australia

My passion for Hoof Care drives me to continue my Education so I can advance my knowledge and skills .

Attending Clinics and Vet/Farrier Symposiums gives me the oppertunity to further my education

Each year I try to attend the International Hoof Care Summit ( Cincinnati Ohio USA ) and the Australian Farriers Conference, as well as numerous webinars. Doing this offers me the latest scientific information & research on topics, such as Nutrition, Rider Influence, Surface Conditions impact, Locomotion, Muscle & Joint problems and all things related to the Horse, Limb and Hoof.

I am educated in the principals and techniques of Natural Balance Hoof Care
(as demonstrated by Internationally recognized Farrier, Clinician and wild horse hoof form and function pioneer, Gene Ovnicek) www.shopedss.com www.hopeforsoundness.com

Natural Balance Hoof Care is the original Bare Foot Hoof Care
Gene Ovnicek through his study of the wild horse has design a series of Hoof Mapping, Trimming and Shoeing Protocols. The problems of Balance, Movement, Lameness, Under-run and upright heels, Club Foot and Laminitis can all be successfully treated using the Protocols designed by Gene and the ELPO.

Natural Balance Hoof Care is becoming more aware of the horse's foot by way of scientific research and observations of the natural foot. It is understand good foot form & function, what is healthy & normal, and what is distorted and abnormal and how to better understand the movement of the horse from a performance & soundness perspective. Natural Balance Hoof Care is a set of guidelines & principles to follow for hoof maintenance that will help overcome distorted feet, medial/lateral imbalance and soundness issues.

I have had instruction in the use & application of the 4 Point Trim as demonstrated by Veterinarian, Laminitis Specialist & Equine Podiatrist, Dr Ric Redden DVM www.reddendvm.com

As well as 'Traditional methods of Farriery' (steel horseshoes), I use 'Non Traditional methods', of casting and Glueing composite (rubber/plastic) shoes to NOT only treat horses with hoof problems, but as standard competition shoes.

Hand Made shoes are sometimes needed, as they allow me to immediately start correcting any hoof &/or limb deviations your horse might have.

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Booking and Payment information

Being Prepared for your Appointment

It is best if you can have you horse in a small yard prior to your appointment time. This helps with time management, as it means I can start attending to you horse soon after arriving. It also means that I can treat your horse if you are not present.

Waiting while a horse is retreived from a paddock is time consuming and costly.

Of course if you aren't in attendance at the time of appointment, I am more than happy to return your horse to their regular paddock after I have completed treatment.

Please have a level, clean area free from obstacles and danger, with a good solid tie up point .

Please ensure all dogs are away during your appointment time. While your horse may not actually object to dogs, they are a distraction and often in the way of me moving around your horse as they try to retrieve the tasty morsels of hoof.

Booking Info

Work is rebooked upon completion.

Developing a consistent shoeing or trimming schedule benefits everyone and provides the optimum results for your horse/s.

All shod horses are on a maximum 4 week schedule, with Trimmed horses usually on a 4, 6 or 8 week schedule, as I feel they require.

This allows me to keep the hoof in as close to optimal shape and balance as possible and reduces the likelihood of allowed to deform or grow out of balance means that the risk of muscular or tendon injury is greatly reduced.

Days are rebooked for an area, to maximize the amount of horses worked on and to minimize the amount of time spent driving throughout the day.

Unfortunately this means that a new customer may have to wait for a vacancy in your area.

It is helpful for customers to note that I do not work in the rain or on extremely windy days, for obvious reasons. If you would not stand outside for 1/2 an hour in the poor weather, please do not expect me to spend all day in it.

For those that do have shelter, remember that others booked for that day may not.

If I have to postpone for any reason. I will make every effort to re-schedule your horse for within 7 days, from the original date.

If I am injured, it may take me a little longer to get there. So I try to keep these to a minimum.

Payment details

An invoice for the work performed will be emailed to you at the end of treatment or soon as I am able, due to internet connection.

Your invoice will be fully itemized and will also include: - the ‘Date of Next Visit’.

Preferred method of payment is Credit Card and is easily performed through your invoice. EFT is also an option.

Payment is required on Receipt of the invoice.

A Late Fee is charged on ALL invoices where payment is not made by the end (12am) of the day of receipt. Unless a prior arrangement is agreed upon.

Informaton on the Costs of Jobs

The cost for Farriery Treatment are based on a horse that I consider to be a good citizen and is co-operative (stands well & without objection to Farriery Treatment), with feet that are in good shape & condition. A horse that I consider to be exhibiting unco-operative behavior (Does Not Stand Well & Without Objection to Farriery Treatment) (pulling/jerking/kicking/playing up of any type), not only makes the job physically harder but also increases the danger and risk of injury. Horses that are Unco-operative will be at a cost greater than a Cooperative Horse.

Corrective work (long hooves, hoof problems, movement or soundness issues, Founder & Laminitis) will result in the work taking longer and therefore will have an increase in the price, from a standard job.

The cost of shoes, pads, hoof packing etc are a separate cost, due to the great variance in the individual cost of specific shoes & materials.

Emergency Call out

Working hours(8.00am-5.00pm) $45.00 + traveling + the cost of work undertaken

After hours(5.00pm - 9.30pm) $85.00 + traveling + the cost of work undertaken

Traveling 50c per km

Prices are subject to change without notice, due to increased in costs (e.g. fuel, materials etc).

I reserve the right to charge what I feel is appropriate for the time, effort and expertise that I have put into doing the job

I reserve the right to refuse to work on any horse if I feel that it is unsafe in any way and to discontinue working on any horse, at any time if I feel it is unsafe. You will ONLY be charged for the work already undertaken.

Job Costs examples

Unco-operative ( DOES NOT Stand Well & Objects to Farriery Treatment )

An unco-Operative horse is one that may pull, jerk, leas, snatch, kick or generally play up.

The Quality of the Job and Finish may not be as good and the horse makes the job both physically harder and imcreases the risk of injury to both myself and itself

Cooperative ( Stands Well & Without Objection for Farriery Treatment )

A Horse that does not pull, jerk, lean, snatch, kick or generally play up.

The Quality and Finish of the job are improved and the horse does not propose a danger to either myself or itself

Prices are subject to change

Wesley Stewart Farrier Services

Wesley Stewart Farrier Services

Specialising in Performance Horses, Movement, Lameness & Laminitis

Specialising in Performance Horses, Movement, Lameness & Laminitis

Photo Gallery of customers and their horses

Regular Hoof Care & Why it's so important