FARRIERY FOR YOUNGSTOCK.
FEET FIRST GIVING A FOAL THE BEST START IN LIFE MEANS PUTTING FEET FIRST, AND THE VALUE OF CORRECT FARRIERY IN EARLY LIFE SHOULD NEVER BE UNDERESTIMATED. EXPERTS AGREE IT’S ESSENTIAL THAT FOALS SHOULD RECEIVE HOOF CARE WITHIN WEEKS OR EVEN DAYS OF BEING BORN. BARBARA YOUNG REPORTS.
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eading farriers and breeders advise that early corrective trimming, to ensure foot balance, is one of the building blocks for establishing soundness and athletic prospects. “Regular foot trimming is absolutely vital from an early age, the sooner the farrier deals with an irregularity, the better the outcome,” says Theresa Oakes of Penhaligon Stud in Shropshire. “It’s a slow process to rectify a misalignment, so we would have the farrier out every four weeks to steadily balance the foot.” Some aspects of foot care can even impact a foal’s limb anatomy for life. “A lot of what you do to the horse as a foal is going to affect the animal as an adult. Our foals are checked at two weeks old to rectify any issues with their foot balance,” explains Theresa. “Quite
often, a foal can be born with slight deviations in straightness. If these deviations are treated by a competent farrier as early as possible, this is can normally be put right in a few trims. “We’re lucky to have a world champion farrier in Jim Blurton of Forden Farriers, who looks out for any abnormalities. We’re very aware that the vital time for rectifying problems is the first si months prior to the joint growth plates closing. Once this has occurred, there is not much you can do.” Cotswolds-based farrier Barry Payne has worked alongside leading vets all over the country, including Bourton Vale Equine Clinic and Hook Norton Veterinary Group, and is established as a valued expert in treating foals. Barry, who is soon to retire, says he is usually called out to
IF DEVIATIONS ARE TREATED BY A COMPETENT FARRIER AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE, THEY CAN NORMALLY BE PUT RIGHT IN A FEW TRIMS RIGHT: THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HOOVES AS A FOAL CAN AFFECT ITS PROSPECTS AS AN ADULT SO EARLY ATTENTION TO FARRIERY IS ESSENTIAL.
BRITISH DRESSAGE // Issue 1 2021 // 31
