September, 2006 Published by SNEFA. Southern New England Farrier s Association. Donna Watson-Editor

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1 Published by SNEFA Southern New England Farrier s Association Donna Watson-Editor Dr Brett Gabby Correcting angular and flexural limb deformity Hot and cold buffet, Raffle and door prizes for all! Directions to Littleton VFW: From Route 495 take exit 31, go to traffic light at top of hill and turn left. VFW is quarter mile on left. Sept 6th, 2006 Happy Hour 7:30PM Meeting 8:00PM Sharp For further info contact: John Blombach CJF at or you may me at Phantomfarrier@aol.com SNEFA CLINIC & CERTIFICATION OCTOBER 12 TH & 13 TH ROCHESTER, NH Held in conjunction with MYHRE EQUINE CENTER S annual veterinary/farrier symposium, this year featuring world renowned lameness specialist Dr. William Moyer Myhre Equine Center, 100 Ten Rod Road, Rochester, NH Examiner: Andrew Elsbree, All levels all areas Contact: Jim Smith, CJF; SNEFA S AFA CERTIFICATION REMINDER Everyone who is planning to take the AFA Certification in October must confirm their intentions with Jim Smith, CJF, by 10/1/06. A $ deposit is required to insure a spot and a horse to work upon. Jim Smith, CJF, can be reached at

2 How to Manage Foals for Soundness Foal limb soundness begins before a foal is born. It involves considerations of nature (genetic) and nurture (environment). Genetic factors include inherited conformation and behavioral traits from the stallion and mare. Environmental factors include physical space in the mare s uterus, nutrition, training and disease prevention. Choosing a mating that has a good chance of producing a structurally correct horse is important since conformation deformities predispose animals to unsoundness. Nutrition of the mare is especially important during the last three months of gestation, as the majority of the foal s limb growth takes place during this time. Nutrition of the lactating mare and supplemental foal feeding affects the growth of the foal after birth. Imprint training should be done soon after birth as a preparation for hoof care that should begin during the second month of life. Genetics Sound legs start with the mating of a sound stallion to a sound mare. They each contribute one half of the whole. Some horses are said to be very prepotent, meaning they are capable of stamping their characteristics on their offspring no matter what the genetics of the other horse. Sometimes, we see exceptional nicks or good combinations that consistently produce good horses. In some cases outcrossing is desirable as it produces heterosis or hybrid vigor. The mule is an extreme example since it is usually hardier than either parent. Most horsemen realize that breeding is a roll of the dice but they do what they can to control some of the variables. Unfortunately, many of our modern horse breeding programs are not focused on soundness. Instead, they are focused on beauty, color, disposition, speed, cow sense, early rapid growth, mature size, etc. Structural deformities are accepted where they should be cause for rejection. Structurally incorrect horses are then trained and put into use, eventually becoming unsound. A price must be paid for adopting the short term at the expense of the long term. Structurally incorrect horses may stay sound for a while, but very few unsound horses are structurally correct. Heritability of skeletal structure in horses is one of the highest for any trait, estimated by some researchers as high as.65. This means that there is a 65 percent chance that crooked or sound legs are due to heredity and a 35 percent chance that they are due to environment. Selection of sound horses for mating is essential. Prenatal (before birth) Environment Foals grow to the size of the mother s womb before birth. Some almost look like spiders when they are born, as their legs are so much more developed than their body size. The limbs complete much of their development in the womb and are largely a product of the nutrition received by the mare. The cartilage in the leg is rapidly proliferating during gestation and its maturation to bone may be delayed in horses fed diets deficient in some minerals and vitamins. Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Copper and Zinc are especially important minerals, as are Vitamins A and D. Overfeeding of carbohydrates and protein can also cause problems. Excess protein is treated like excess carbohydrate by the body and may cause hormonal imbalance as well as nutritional diseases. Overgrowing in the confining uterine environment caused by a delayed foaling date causes some limb deformities. Post Natal (after birth) Environment Foals are naturally awkward when they are born. Their body size will grow faster than the length of their legs. The small bones of the knee or hock may not be completely formed at birth and are crushed by excessive exercise and body weight. Many times foal legs will straighten as the animal grows older and stronger. Limb defects can be aggravated by many things. The stall should be safe and large enough that the foal won t be injured by the mare. Exercise areas should be as safe as possible. Some foals have had a leg broken while in a stall or while exercising in a rough pasture. Other older horses in the same pen may purposely injure foals. Fences that are sharp or not visible are especially dangerous. The fact that the foal has a short neck in relation to long legs may also aggravate deformities as he spreads his legs to eat off the ground. Standing with one front foot back and the other forward may also cause the development of club foot on the foot that is back if it becomes a habit. The most important post natal consideration is the lactation of the mare. Too little or too much milk can cause limb development problems and lameness. Mares that are easy keepers and good milk producers have a higher incidence of foals with DOD. Developmental orthopedic disease (nicknamed DOD) is the

3 name given to various abnormalities of the limbs. These can have genetic or environmental origins. Horses bred to grow fast and mature rapidly are susceptible. Horses fed a high calorie, imbalanced ration are at great risk for epiphysitis an inflammation of the growth plates of the long bones. Usually, this comes about from excessive grain and protein supplement consumption. However, overeating of high quality alfalfa hay may also produce it. Types of Neo Natal (new born) Deformities Foals with the knees or hocks turned in are called valgus. Foals with the knees or hocks turned out are called varus. When both left and right hock (or knee) joints are bent in the same direction, we say the foal is windswept. A foal with a straight pastern and high-heeled foot is said to have contracted tendons or be club footed. A foal with the fetlock forward due to superficial tendon contracture is said to be knuckled over. Foals with the pastern down and the heels crushed with the toe up are said to have tendon laxity. Early Limb and Hoof Assessment Assess the foal s limbs soon after birth. Most mild limb deformities can be helped by stall rest that limits exercise. Many problems are due to lack of cartilage and bone maturity and will improve with time if the affected areas are not stressed. If there is more than a 5- degree deviation in the limb, or concerns about the straightness of the legs, your veterinarian should assess the situation and make recommendations at this time. The hooves should not be trimmed until the foal is at least two weeks old, and then only if a problem is evident. It is important to treat limb deviations before the epiphyseal growth plates of the lower leg bones close at about three months (short pastern), six months (long pastern), and nine months (distal cannon bone). After these plates close, very little structural change can be made in the limb by trimming or shoeing. It is questionable how much change can actually be made before that time. Severe angular (conformation) defects cannot be eliminated by corrective trimming or shoeing. Serious problems may require periostial stripping or check ligament surgery. Future plans for the horse should be considered in making this decision as its athletic career may be limited. The Farrier s First Visit A foal s feet should be checked by a competent farrier by the time it is two months old. You can help prepare your foal for the farrier s first visit by (1) teaching the foal to stand and lead, (2) picking up and holding the foal s feet daily, (3) providing the farrier a safe corner in which to trim the foal s hooves, (4) having an experienced person hold the foal for the farrier, and (5) having an experienced person hold the mare close at hand. Imprint training should be started as soon after birth as possible in order to begin the process of desensitization of the foal to the farrier. To do this, rub down the legs and pat the bottom of the hoof with your hand 40 or 50 times on each foot or until the foal relaxes. Repeat daily and then weekly and finally monthly. It is also important to clean out a foal s feet each time the animal is handled to accustom it to foot handling. Foot Balance and Trimming Regular foot balancing will allow the foal to grow as straight as possible. The focus of trimming should be on keeping the weight of the foal evenly distributed over the limbs. The foal s hoof may be trimmed more often than that of a mature horse, but less hoof is removed. The excess wall is trimmed down to the level of the sole at the toe. Keeping the hoof length the same on the inner and outer sides of the leg (medial /lateral balance) is critical. This must be maintained because a foal frequently wears one side or the other unevenly. The animal will learn to compensate for minor structural faults. Avoid overtrimming of the sole and thus removing protection from the coffin bone. Trimming one side lower in an effort to straighten legs produces sheared heels. Medial or lateral extension shoes made from aluminum or plastic may be glued or nailed to the feet of crooked foals to help in the distributing of weight more evenly over the bone column. Shoeing the foot may protect it from wearing away faster than it grows and sometimes it is necessary to maintain a balanced stance. If a horse is shod during the growing months, shoes should be reset frequently (every 3 to 4 weeks) and progressively larger shoes applied each time. Having the hoof trimmed out of medial/lateral balance in an effort to straighten bones is not a good practice. Excessive stresses on the joint may cause damage, but the most noticeable effect will be the creation of a sheared heel. This may cause circulatory disturbance and lameness later on. The edges of a foal s hooves should be kept rounded to avoid chipping. When a young horse begins serious training, regular trimming and hoof care should include shoes that protect the foot or are necessary to enhance the action of the

4 specific type of horse. This article was taken from Doug Butler s website: President s Report I hope everyone has been having a wonderful summer! Where did it go? Summers seem to fly by. It is hard to believe that SNEFA s September meeting is next week on the 6 th. Our monthly meetings are wonderful opportunities to meet friends, old and new, and to educate ourselves. Everyone is sure to have a great time. This month our featured speaker/clinician is Dr. Brett Gabby, DVM. His topic is timely and pertinent for all hoof care professionals. I hope to see all of you at the Littleton VFW. Please remember that SNEFA can only exist by and for its members. SNEFA is the membership. Your participation and feedback is very important to your Association. So until September 6th. Sincerely, Sean McClure smcclure1@verizon.net SNEFA OFFICERS and BOARD of DIRECTORS President Sean McClure smcclure1@verizon.net Vice President John Blombach PhantomFarrier@aol.com Secretary Jim Zieger Jzieger2@speakeasy.net Treasurer Glenn Eglington suzteagan@verizon.net BOD Deb Ash sakura@worldpath.net BOD Donna Watson dwatsonfarrier@aol.com BOD-Mike Licata Newsletter-Donna Watson dwatsonfarrier@aol.com DICK HAM FUND If any of you have apprentices of three years or less that are interested in applying for the Dick Ham Memorial Apprenticeship, call me ( ) and I ll send you the application. They have to be returned to me no later than Sept. 1st, See you in September. For more information please contact Garth Bodkin at: New Policy new policy is going into effect after this newletter. If you don t have the number 06 after your name on the newletter s mailing address label this will be your last newsletter. You have not renewed your membership in the Southern New England Farriers Association. Unless of course you renew now!! Membership application is on next page.

5 Events Calendar 09/06/06 -General Meeting 8:00 PM Littleton VFW - Featured Speaker Dr. Brett Gabby, DVM Topic: Treating angular and flexural limb deformities. Happy Hour 7:30-8:00 PM Directions to Littleton VFW: From Route 495 take exit 31, go to traffic light at top of hill and turn left. VFW is quarter mile on left. 9/15 th &16 th Northeast Farrier Supply Annual Golf Outing and Fall Open House Speaker: Mr. George Fitzgerald 10% off everything in store free doughnuts and coffee. info: Bill Clark /22th & 23th, - GREENVILLE, NY An AFA Shoe Display Clinic and more with Andrew Elsbree Are you struggling with the shoe modifications required to pass the AFA Shoe Display? The clinic will focus on keg shoe modifications including the trailer, rolled toe, rocker toe, extended heels and bar shoes. Learn how to make the most of your time at the anvil, how to effectively position your body and make your tools work for you to produce the results you want.$150 per DayAccomodations available $50 per night. Space is limited. Please sign-up early! Participants eligible for AFA Continuing Education Credits. Call or FarrierFacts@aol.com to reserve your spot today. Oct 12 th -Myhre Equine Center annual veterinary/ farrier symposium with Dr. Bill Moyer. info: /12 TH &13 TH - SNEFA CLINIC & CERTIFICATION Myhre Equine Center, Rochester, NH info: JIM SMITH, CJF /4/06 -SHOE Fall Clinic & BBQ NC New Salem Stable, New Salem, NC Sponsored by Southeastern Horseshoers on Education Contact: Patty Reed; **Eligible for 6 hours AFA Certification Continuing Education 11/ 11th+12th 23rd Cornell Farrier Conference in Ithaca, NY. Partially sponsored by Hoofcare & Lameness, hosted by Michael Wildenstein FWCF (Hons). Speakers to include (in alpha order) Don Gustafson, Betsy Keller, Steve Kraus, Jeffrey LaPoint, Bob Pethick, Mike Savoldi, Rob Sigafoos, Bill Smith, Meike Van Heel. A good place to stay is the Best Western. Amanda Mott: amm36@cornell.edu or visit < DEC 6 th -General Meeting election of officers and Board of Directors Speaker TBA

6 Dues are $50.00/year beginning the 1 st of September Name: Business Name: Address: City: State: Zipcode: Country: Business Phone: Home Phone: Fax: Address: Send SNEFA membership dues to: John Blombach P.O. Box 740 Westminster, MA

7 Southern New England Farrier s Association Code Of Ethics We, the members of the Southern New England Farrier s Association, accept the responsibility to practice our profession according to the highest ethical standards. Therefore we pledge: To always provide a quality, effective hoof care service to our clients. To continually improve our skills through education and professional development activities. To scrupulously adhere to safe and applicable standards of hoof care. To treat all fellow farriers with respect. To conduct both our professional and personal lives in a manner to reflect credit on the profession and to set an example of self-discipline for all farriers. Encourage fellow farriers and other farrier associations to support and uphold these principles, and to question and resist those practices which may undermine or defeat them. ADVERTISING IS BEING ACCEPTED for the EAGLE newsletter Rates: Full-page advertisement $150/ insertion Half page advertisement $85/insertion Cardsize $45/insertion Call or dwatsonfarrier@aol.com Support Our Sponsors: R.Steele dba Horseshoes Unlimited is offering members of S.N.E.F.A. and other farrier organizations a 20% discount on all R.Steele, Horseshoes Unlimited RayGuang, and Unlimited products purchased directly from Horseshoes Unlimited. The entire list of those products can be viewed at or or call for information. The 20% discount will only apply to the products manufactured by Ray Steele not to other brands.

8 The official news publication of the Southern New England Farriers Association American Farriers Association Chapter #7 "Written By Farriers For Farriers" The Fall is upon us once more LET US KNOW! SNEFA EDITOR AT SNEFA NEWSLETTER C/O DONNA WATSON 1590 GREENVILLE ROAD ASHBY, MA 01431