Equine Podiatry: Overview & Importance

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Equine podiatry focuses on the care, maintenance, and treatment of a horse’s hooves to ensure soundness, comfort, and performance. Proper hoof care is essential for overall health, as hoof imbalances or injuries can lead to lameness and long-term mobility issues.

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Key Aspects of Equine Podiatry

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• Trimming & Shoeing – Balancing the hoof to support natural movement and prevent strain.

• Hoof Rehabilitation – Corrective trimming, therapeutic shoeing, and support for injured or weak hooves.

• Lameness Prevention & Treatment – Addressing conditions like laminitis, navicular syndrome, and hoof cracks.

• Biomechanics & Performance Optimization – Enhancing movement efficiency for sport and working horses.

• Hoof Health Management – Nutrition, moisture balance, and disease prevention.

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Common Conditions Treated

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• Laminitis – Inflammation of the hoof’s sensitive structures, causing severe pain and bony changes/rotation/sinking

• Navicular Syndrome – Degenerative condition affecting the navicular bone and surrounding tissues.

• White Line Disease – Fungal or bacterial infection weakening the hoof wall.

• Thrush & Abscesses – Bacterial infections causing pain and lameness.

• Cracks & Imbalances – Structural hoof issues leading to discomfort and uneven weight distribution.

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Role of an Equine Podiatrist

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Equine podiatrists collaborate with veterinarians, farriers, and horse owners to develop individualized hoof care plans. They use techniques such as:

• Barefoot trimming for natural hoof function.

• Therapeutic or corrective shoeing for injury support.

• Advanced tools like radiographs to assess hoof structure.

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Why Equine Podiatry Matters

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Healthy hooves are the foundation of a sound horse. Proper hoof care helps prevent injuries, enhance performance, and extend a horse’s working life. Regular hoof assessments and proactive care ensure long-term well-being.  A correctly balanced hoof can save money long term by reducing instances of joint injections, lay off time for rehab, and pain management medications.