--- Karen Thomas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
A
> horse should be shod/trimmed for his conformation, so as best to
> ensure his
> long-term soundness. If necessary, they should be shod/trimmed for
> soundness, for therapeutic reasons. And also, if necessary, a
> horse can be
> shod for protection. But a horse NEVER EVER should be shod, or
> trimmed, in
> a way to enhance gaits.
> Many of the farriers that I know, a few of whom have gone through
> the
> process of many years to be certified by the AFA and/or BWFA, have
> an
> intense knowledge of equine anatomy. Many of them are constantly
> traveling
> to clinics and conferences, trying to stay abreast of the current
> research
> on laminitis and other equine limb ailments, as well as new shoeing
> and
> trimming theories and methods.
I totally agree, I just think you can get that without being
certified AFA, as Sally agrees and does these things. She does not
hold to the AFA line of using heart bar or egg bar shoes for founder
or navicular....she reads studies and does things that make the horse
more comfortable yet will hopefully led to healing, not covering up.
That is her whole basis of practice in her Medical practice as well,
looking at the whole, not covering up the issue and trying to heal
it.
The AFA farriers we have met seem to hold true to the AFA line of
metal shoes and jacking up the heels for certain things. She and I
disagree. Of course not every AFA certified farrier will agree with
the AFA, each farrier is different, thank goodness, but I do not see
that certification as the end all of knowlegde.
I am glad there is a Farriers assc., but not every farrier might want
to be certified by them. I will say again as some people have
misunderstood in the past. Sally is a farrier, she does more than
barefoot, yet has studied barefoot, even one on one with Gene Ovnick,
but will use shoes when appropiate, and will use NB shoes, or polys
or alum. when she can for the comfort of the horse.
Being in NC where Karen is from sounds like a dream....in the 2
states I have lived with horses getting a decent farrier is/was very
difficult.
Skye
~~~~Fire Island Farms~~~~
Breeding Quality Icelandic Trail Horses
Certified Farrier Services
'Natural Balance' Shoeing and Trimming.
Founder, Navicular options for your horse.
808-640-6080
