Thrush invades the frog, heel bulbs, and hoof wall/sole junction

Thrush is a keratolytic bacteria causing degeneration and breakdown of the frog tissue.  It is often accompanied by the presence of a  foul-smelling black exudate.  When extensive amounts of Thrush invades the soft tissues of the frog, digital cushion, and the heel bulb region the horse can become lame from the inflammation and exposure of sensitive tissue.   We like to use Topical Iodine and Copper Sulfate products to treat Thrush. Some types of Thrush respond well to Chlorine Dioxide which is an unstable Gas mixed in 2 stable parts and applied to the foot.   For more questions please contact us at 301-416-0043 or email us at farrier@andrewgrimm.net.

Thrush after hoof trimming

Providing Superior Service is of up-most importance to us.  Therefore,  beginning August 16thwe’re welcoming a Secretary to our team of professionals.   Our Secretary Jan, will be available to help you with scheduling, making  payments, and answering your questions,  5 days a week.  As always, if you have any questions please call us at 301-416-0043 or, email us at farrier@andrewgrimm.net.  Thank you.

Here’s an example of a Glue-on shoe with a pour-in pad.  The cuff-style Glue-on shoe is a nice shoe that can be used for most horses but, is generally recommended when nailing a horseshoe is not the best option.   When using a pour-in pad we prefer to use the Equi-pak with Copper Sulfate because it helps reduce Thrush.

Glue-on shoe

  In recent years, I have increased my use of glue-on shoes.  The benefits of using a glue-on shoe are huge.  For example, a horse that has poor hoof quality, lacking adequate hoof wall to nail to, directly benefits from a glue-on shoe because I don’t have to use nails.  There are two ways of gluing on a horseshoe.  One method is called the “direct gluing method” in which the shoe is directly glued to the bottom of the hoof and formed around the heel area of the foot and shoe.  The second is a cuff style of glue-on shoe which the fabric (often Carbon/Kevlar) is saturated with adhesive and attached to the outside of the hoof wall, using no glue-on the sole.   Both methods have been proven to work successfully.

For more information please contact me at farrier@andrewgrimm.net or call 301-416-0043.  Thank you.

Here is a picture of a Corn.   A Corn is a bruise located in the Seat of Corn, located in the Heel area of the equine hoof.  It’s a contusion, or impact injury that appears red, and pink in color.  Its causes are broad and vary but, it’s commonly a result of the horseshoe being too small or, the heels of the hoof left too tall creating excess pressure in the heel area.  A shoe that is left on the hoof too long can cause corns.   The hoof should be trimmed, every 4-8 weeks to avoid this type of injury.  Proper trimming includes trimming the hoof to maximize surface area and provide a large base of support.  When shoeing we should provide a platform for the hoof to grow into which is called expansion.     

Corn is located within the black circle

In a effort to increase our research and development in farriery we’ve recently invested in the Metron Software designed to help farriers, veterinarian’s, and horse owners, evaluate and document hoof changes.   With a camera we take 2 pictures of the hoof (frontal and lateral) while the horse is standing on a Block.  The block has special calibration aids in it which ensures an accurate measurement.  We also take a picture of the solar view (bottom) of the hoof to determine measurements such as width of heel, width of hoof, hoof length, etc.  This is a valuable tool that we use to ensure your horses hooves are “on the right track”.   Here’s an example: 

Lateral view of hoof with horse standing on Metron Block

The 1st evaluation is complementary and each evaluation afterwards is $60.  With the evaluation you’ll receive a copy on CD to keep on file for your records and share with your veterinarian.  We’ll also contact you personally to explain the details of the hoof evaluation.  Please contact us if your interested at farrier@andrewgrimm.net or, 301-416-0043.  Thank You.

When shoeing a base-narrow, toed-in horse the forces acting on the hoof should be considered.  Most weight is born on the outside (lateral) wall and therefore will often contract and fold under excessive pressure.  To help, I like to widen the outside branch to help even out the pressures on the wall because the wide branch doesn’t sink into the ground as much as the narrow branch.  Here’s an example:

We’re updating the www.andrewgrimm.net website so that our blog posts are also posted on Twitter and Facebook!

Katerina won her horse Pheonix.  Take a look and read more about it. 

 http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/emailDisplay.htm?StoryID=99408

Over the years I’ve had the pleasure to work with many Horse owners, Trainers, and Veternarians.  I’ve seen many horse-care professionals and owners that don’t consider or ask  for the farriers opinion and advise on what they think is best for the horses feet.  As a certified, full-time farrier I’d like to bring thing’s into perspective by explaining why our opinions are so important.

A full time professional farrier tends to on average 10 horses per day, 5 days per week which equals to 50 horses per week.  Per week this equals to watching, looking, treating, balancing 200 hooves per week.  This equals 800 hooves per month and 9,600 hooves per year.

Point is - A good farrier who’s certified and educated in farriery has a lot of knowledge and reccomendations on what may be good for your horse. Our opinion should be valued and important.

A good farrier is hard to find. 

Good farriers want to know what is going on with your horse because they don’t know what your horse is doing, or how to fix something without open lines of communication between the horse owner, trainer, veterinarian, barn managers, etc. 

Good farriers take the time everyday to train, and educate themselves in the art of farriery.  They oftentimes will go to seminars on hoof care and lameness, travel to work with other qualified professionals, read books, and watch videos about hoof care for hours.  When a good farrier works on your horses feet he will look at your horse as whole, listen to other professionals, and come up with a plan that best suites the horse and rider. 

I encourage all horse owners to find ”Good Farriers”  and when you do – trust and value his/her opinion as much as the other professionals involved in your horses care.  Thanks. 

Andrew Grimm, CF, RJF