Australian Brumby research on hooves

acw295

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My farrier mentioned yesterday that he'd been to an interesting farriers talk on the research from the University of Queensland on the hooves of wild Brumby horses and how it seemed to contradict the research done previously on the wild Mustang horses about the health of wild horses hooves?

I didn't have time to talk to him about it for long as had to rush off to work (and he won't be back to me for 6 weeks) but genuinely interested to know more about what the research has found. Is anyone on here aware of it? He did say that there was a lot of evidence of laminitis in these horses and the health of their feet wasn't particularly good.

For what it is worth I am neither for or against shoes. My pony has front shoes and I am equally interested in both schools of thought!

Regardless I was pleased to hear that my farrier (who is well regarded locally) is obviously interested in the current research - always think showing an interest in that sort of thing is positive :)
 
Interesting link. I'd be interested in hearing more about the 'abnormalities' that are mentioned... don't want to pay $50 for it though :p.
 
My farrier mentioned yesterday that he'd been to an interesting farriers talk on the research from the University of Queensland on the hooves of wild Brumby horses and how it seemed to contradict the research done previously on the wild Mustang horses about the health of wild horses hooves?

Hmmmm, as I see it the only similarity between Brumbies and Mustangs is that they are equids.

I imagine that climate, terrain, forage all affects feet and general condition, and on two different continents there are bound to be differences?
 
It is about hooves in different environment that's what Chris Politt and Brian Hampsons research was about. Your farrier may have been to the handmade shoes spring clinic in Leighton Buzzard where Brian was the speaker. Basically saying if hooves are in certain types of environment the will be different than in others, i.e you dont want to be trimming each horse to exactly the same cookie cutter formula. I've got the full papers if anyone is interested then pm me. Im not sure if your farrier attended the Dr Bowker session they previously had there, he has some fantastic research thoughts as well, unfortuntly key bits of their ideas differ significantly. He also talks about the importance of the back of the foot to act as a pump for healthily circulation in the foot, and using the whole of the hoove to weight bare. All useful bits to hear about. His website is: http://www.coronavistaequinecenter.com/ I guess with research it's all about listening an critically reviewing and thinking about it. Some things you think great, other times you think im not sure thats going to work in that situation. It was great the farrier supplier got Brian over, and it would be great if they could get Dr Bowker back again to hear about his most recent research again.

Best wishes
Hannah
 
Interestingly I had the very same conversation with my farrier on Monday. The studies were carried out on varied terrain and on quite large numbers of horses. I too looked at the stuff on line, but also wasn't prepared to pay that vast amount! Either I have the same farrier as the OP, or they went to the same lecture. :)
 
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