What is Equine Podiatry?
| What is Equine Podiatry? Equine Podiatry is a responsible alternative to traditional farriery. The focus is on educating owners so that they can understand how different factors influence the health of the hoof so they can use that knowledge either to achieve high performance without the need for shoes or to correct problems related to poor hoof health. |  |
- to promote the role of Equine Podiatry in improving equine welfare and act as a body for the purposes of consultation in matters relating to hoof care and the science and application of Equine Podiatry.
- to maintain and publish a register of qualified Equine Podiatrists indicating level of qualification and to ensure that the general public can determine that the professionals they employ meet the standards of the association.
- to ensure that those included in the above mentioned register continue to develop their professional knowledge and skills and are up to date with latest developments in the field.
- to promote good practice and to set and maintain standards of professional conduct and competence in Equine Podiatry.
- to set and promote standards in education and training in the principles and practice of Equine Podiatry.
- to organise and maintain schemes for the regulation and discipline of the Association's members in matters of professional conduct and provide a means of redress to those who feel that they have a professional grievance with a member of the Association.
- to encourage further evidence based research into Equine Podiatry and disseminate the results of that research.
- to promote the role of Equine Podiatry in improving equine welfare and act as a body for the purposes of consultation in matters relating to hoof care and the science and application of Equine Podiatry.
What's so special about Equine Podiatry?
Every qualified Equine Podiatrist undergoes detailed and rigorous training and ongoing professional development to cultivate a deep understanding of the structure and function of the equine foot and all the many conditions and diseases that may affect it. Because EPs specialise only in the equine foot, this results in a considerable depth of knowledge, enabling them to work together with vets to find a solution to hoof pathologies. It is this in-depth understanding, which is continuously updated and uses research from experts in their field which enables EP's to provide such a high standard of care.
The service provided is not just about trimming the foot, but about advising the owner on the overall management of the horse and conditioning of the feet which will make the difference between a comfortable foot and a high performance foot.
Can I have an initial consultation before I decide to remove my horse's shoes?
This is an excellent idea, as it will enable you to make a well informed judgement call about whether shoe removal is best for your horse.
Although a truly accurate assessment of the health of the foot can only be made once the shoes are removed, an examination of the shod foot will still give a good enough indication of foot health. The EP will then be able to advise on the likely implications of shoe removal, including possible changes to management practices, conditioning work required, expected transition time and the cost of additional equipment needed to help with the transition process (hoof boots, topical treatments, etc).
What can I expect from a visit?
If the horse is sound enough, it will initially be walked and trotted up, and then the feet will be examined in detail to build up a picture of the overall health of the foot, and any problems which need correcting.
Once the feet have been thoroughly examined, a non-invasive trim is applied to balance the hoof and remove excess structure. The feet are then photographed to provide an accurate record from which to evaluate future progress. The horse will then be walked or trotted up again.
Next, it is the turn of the owner to take control of the healing process. A tailored conditioning and management programme will be discussed and agreed based upon the health of the feet and the facilities available. If followed conscientiously the programme should result in a measurable improvement by the time of the EP's next visit. Doing too much can cause inflammation, bruising or abscessing. Doing nothing can severely delay or even reverse the healing process, so the rehabilitation of the horse is as much if not more the responsibility of the owner as it is the EP.
The horses' feet are given a score at each visit. This will not only indicate how much work the hooves can withstand in their current state of health, but also allows progress to be monitored.
If the health of the hooves is such that veterinary attention is required, the EP can work with the vet on the rehabilitation of the hooves. This may involve the use of X-rays or other diagnostic procedures.
In between visits, a full support service is available between EP and owner who, if at all worried, is welcome to telephone or e-mail for advice, no matter how trivial.
How often does an EP visit?
A 4-weekly visit is usually necessary during rehabilitation when the foot must be kept well trimmed while a new pattern of growth is established. Once health has been restored, the length between visits can increase, with a visit often only needed every 8 weeks for a horse who is worked regularly and kept in the right environment. Sometimes owners learn to maintain their horse's feet themselves, and an EP visits every few months to check balance and ensure that any developing problems are not overlooked.
How soon after shoe removal can I ride?
This will depend on the condition of the horse's feet and the score they are given by the EP during the first visit. Occasionally, the horse is rideable immediately, but it is more likely the horse will only be rideable in boots, or in a sand arena or on grass for a while, and some may need to be hand walked only at first - often with special pads used to protect to the feet and stimulate healing. Your EP will discuss this with you in detail after the feet have been assessed.
Occasionally, the damage to the feet can be so bad that the horse may not be truly sound for several weeks and may not be rideable for several months. Much can be done to ensure the horse remains comfortable during rehabilitation, but it can be a worrying time for the owner, whose total commitment to the care of the horse is vital. An EP will not begin treatment unless he/she is convinced that the owner is 100% committed to giving the horse the time and treatment it needs to return the feet to health. If there is any risk that undue suffering will be caused to the horse through the owner's inability to provide the necessary time for conditioning work and a suitable environment to promote healing, an EP may consider it in the best interests of the horse to remain shod.
Are Equine Podiatrists against shoes?
There is no doubt that shoeing impedes the proper function of the equine foot and can lead to a steady decline in foot health. However, many horses cope very well in shoes and with the help of a good farrier, can remain sound for their entire working lives. Every EP will tell you that in an ideal world shoeless is infinitely better for the horse, but it is a big commitment for the owner and if they do not have the time to put in the conditioning work, or the facilities needed to provide the right environment for healthy feet, shoes fitted by a reputable farrier may be the best thing for the horse.
Sometimes, due to poor conformation or previous irreparable damage the horse may not naturally have a good enough foot to achieve the level of performance required by the owner. The application of a shoe can provide the foot with the reinforcement it needs for instant high performance without the need for conditioning work, as long as the owner is aware that the cost of instant high performance is compromised foot function.
Shoes are also occasionally advised on a temporary basis - for instance to act as a rigid cast for a very damaged or diseased foot. Sometimes an EP can work with a farrier to return the foot to sufficient health so that the healing process can then continue shoeless.
It has been standard practice for many decades to remove a horse's shoes and turn them away for a few months each year to improve the health of the feet before the horse comes back into work. An EP can use this rest period to maximise the healing process in the time available before the shoes are re-applied.
For more information on equine podiatry, or to find a qualified EP in your area, visit our website: http://www.epauk.org
This information has kindly been provided by The Equine Podiatry Association.
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Added on: 07/01/08.
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