LECTURE 1: HIND FOOT BALANCE. ARE WE GETTING IT WRONG?

The concept of correct foot balance has long been widely debated over many years, but still remains subjective. Increasing research into this sometimes controversial subject is helping farriers, veterinary surgeons and equine professionals, to understand the importance of correct foot balance. Most research and importance, is placed on front feet. This may be because of a higher proportion of lameness in the font limbs and feet. Increasingly, the hind limb and feet are attracting more attention and importance from farriers and veterinary surgeons, as modern diagnostic equipment is being used to analysis horse biomechanics. Unfortunately, when it comes to literature on how best to assess and trim hind feet, there is insufficient information available. This presentation will look at how I assess, trim and shoe, hind limbs and feet. It will give the audience some everyday advise and techniques to take home and try in their everyday work.

LECTURE 1: FIT FOR PURPOSE?

I will cover the types of shoes we fit, either for equine disciplines or pathologies. What are we trying to achieve with our shoe, pad or modern materials package? Are we shoeing for equine performance, injury prevention or pathology? Today’s farriers are in a unique position at the forefront of equine sport, but quite often the line between shoeing for performance and shoeing to aid in the treatment of lower limb or foot pathologies is blurred.

LECTURE 1: HOOF ANATOMY IN ACTION

Beginning with the development of the foal’s foot and Dr Robert Bowker’s words of wisdom, ‘The hoof is a neuro sensory organ’, the theme of internal back of the foot structure, its need to develop and build, its role in the whole horse concept where everything is interconnected and interdependent, along with the all important flow of blood and lymph fluid through the hoof is established. ‘No foot no horse’ becomes defined by just how robust are the digital cushion, frog and lateral cartilages are and the consequences of their failure. How do we build internal hoof structure and, importantly, how do we deplete it through what we do? Allowing the back of the foot to function as nature intended is a challenge when 24/7 hoof protection is needed, but employing a broad thought process can reap rewards. Clinical positioning and its assessment is paramount to whole horse biomechanics, while the preservation of structure, especially of the sole surface of our domestic horses feet appears on balance, to be an element in urgent need of review, trim nothing you don’t need to and if material needs to be removed from a hoof, be sure it’s never done on autopilot and without a clear understanding. Six horses all struggling, none coping with 24/7 shoeing with steel due to upper body asymmetry and or pathology and the resultant loading through their legs and feet, none robust enough to be barefoot for long due to poor hoof structure and environmental challenges, moving to composites became a real door opener and insight into how comfort, flexibility and genuine support (engaging the properties of the hoof biomechanically) transformed these previously “stuck” horses. Finally, a word about the German Duplo composite horseshoe, possibly one of the worlds most technically advanced shoes currently being used, its pitfalls and its incredible benefits.

LECTURE: WHY CAN’T ALL MY CLIENTS BE NICE?

This is a question every farrier asks themselves every day! We’ve all been there – arriving at a new client, parking up then being shouted at to ‘move your van, you can’t park there’. Arriving for an appointment to be greeted with ‘Was it today?’, or a client sending you ‘useful links’ to read before their next appointment. And then there’s the gem of a client – supportive, thoughtful and sweet. This interactive lecture will blow the lid on how to identify and deal with the range of clients we have to interact with. Reduce the stress! If you think you are in the horse business then think again, we’re in the people business and we need to learn how to work with them to make our lives stress free and fun! To beware we first need to be aware! Don’t miss this fun lecture…your sanity relies on it! Jeff Newnham qualified DipWCF in 1983. He then spent the next two years working in USA before returning to UK to set up practice in East Sussex. In 2014 he bought the Glushu to market – the first over-moulded aluminium glue-on horseshoe made in the UK. He then formed Pro-Glu Ltd, the first UK company to manufacture a range of adhesives and products for the farriery industry. Recognising a lack of training in these products in the UK farrier training system, Jeff developed and delivered ‘Let’s Get Glueing’ CPD specifically to address this need. Undeterred by lockdown, which prevented face-to-face hands-on training, Jeff has delivered over 70 live Facebook Live broadcasts every Saturday. Jeff has co-authored the Stromsholm ‘Let’s Get Glueing’ guide to adhesives – the first publication of its kind. With lockdown easing Jeff has resumed his Let’s Get Glueing courses helping farriers get the very best out of their purchases. He is helped in his business by his three children Alice, Christopher and Philip.

‘FARRIERY: WORKING WITH CLIENTS TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE’

Sponsored by The Farriers Foundation, this talk supports ongoing work from the BFBA injury survey

LECTURE 1: HOW RELEVANT IS SCIENCE TO FARRIERS?

The Focus Forum is your chance to ask questions, seek clarification and share your opinions. Gain a better understanding of the industry we work in and help shape the future of farriery.

In addition to members of the BFBA Executive Committee, representatives will be invited from all organisations relevant to farriery including the Farriers Registration Council, Worshipful Company of Farriers and the farriery training colleges.

• Saturday 30^th October, 4pm in the Lecture Theatre – ‘Where are we now?’
• Sunday 31^st October, 2.45pm in the Lecture Theatre – ‘The future of farriery’

Questions must be submitted, in writing, to the BFBA Head Office (headoffice@bfba.co.uk) by 5pm on October 22^nd. Please ask if you would like your question to remain anonymous and state which day you would like your question put to the panel.