The Hoofcare Companion

In this episode, we take an in depth look at one of the most critical yet often underestimated structures of the equine hoof: the coronary band. This episode is essential listening for farriers, veterinarians, and serious hoof care professionals who want a deeper understanding of how coronary band health directly influences hoof wall quality, growth, and long term soundness.
We begin by exploring the normal anatomy and function of the coronary band, explaining its role as the primary germinal tissue responsible for producing the hoof wall. You will learn how the epidermal and dermal components work together, how coronary papillae form horn tubules, and why the vascular and neurological supply of this region makes it both highly productive and highly vulnerable.
The episode then examines the coronary corium in detail, discussing blood supply, lymphatic drainage, innervation, and how mechanical loading and movement influence horn production. We explain why disruptions at the coronary band are always expressed distally in the hoof wall and how farriers can interpret growth rings, horn defects, and changes in wall quality as a historical record of coronary band health.
The second half of the episode focuses on coronitis and coronary band dystrophy, conditions that can have lifelong implications for hoof integrity. We discuss:
Common traumatic, infectious, environmental, and systemic causes
The difference between acute inflammation and chronic dystrophic change
How repeated low grade trauma and poor environmental conditions contribute to long term damage
The relationship between systemic disease, laminitis, vascular compromise, and coronary band pathology
You will gain insight into the clinical signs seen in both acute and chronic cases, including swelling, pain, discharge, scarring, altered horn growth, cracks, and capsule distortion. We also explain how to distinguish coronary band abscessation from other hoof pathologies and why accurate assessment is critical.
From a professional perspective, this episode outlines the diagnostic process, highlighting the role of the farrier in recognising abnormal growth patterns and working alongside the veterinary surgeon. We cover veterinary investigations including blood work, imaging, ultrasonography, and when biopsy may be indicated.
Finally, we discuss medical and farriery management strategies, focusing on:
Controlling inflammation and infection
Environmental and hygiene management
Conservative trimming approaches during active disease
Shoeing strategies to reduce mechanical stress on compromised horn
Long term management, prognosis, and owner education
This episode reinforces the importance of a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach and positions the farrier as a key professional in early detection, ongoing management, and long term hoof care planning.

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To order your hardback copy of The Hoofcare Companion visit:
Store | thefarrier
For an eBook version visit here:
The Hoofcare Companion (eBook Edition) eBook : Jerram, Marc: Amazon.co.uk: Books

Sidebone is one of the most commonly encountered structural changes within the equine foot, particularly in heavier horses and those exposed to repetitive concussive forces. In this episode of The Hoofcare Companion, we take an in depth look at sidebone from a farriery perspective, exploring not only what it is, but why it develops, how it alters hoof biomechanics and how informed trimming and shoeing decisions can significantly influence long term comfort and soundness.
This episode moves beyond sidebone as a simple radiographic finding and places it firmly within the wider context of hoof balance, conformation, workload and management. Whether you encounter sidebone regularly in practice or want to deepen your understanding of its functional significance, this discussion provides practical insight grounded in anatomy and biomechanics.
What We Cover in This Episode
What Is Sidebone
 
Anatomy and Function of the Lateral Cartilages

Pathophysiology and Development
 
Causes and Predisposing Factors
 
Conformational Faults Associated with Sidebone
 
Static Assessment of the Horse
Dynamic Assessment and Gait Evaluation
 
Clinical Signs and Differential Considerations
 
Radiography and Its Role in Farriery Decision Making
 
Trimming Principles for Managing Sidebone
 
Shoeing Strategies and Traditional Sidebone Shoes
 
Pads and Supportive Materials
 
Long Term Prognosis and Case Management
 
Who This Episode Is For
Farriers and farriery apprentices
 Veterinary surgeons with an interest in hoof biomechanics
 Equine podiatrists and hoofcare professionals
 Advanced horse owners seeking a deeper understanding of foot pathology
Support the show
To order your hardback copy of The Hoofcare Companion visit:
Store | thefarrier
For an eBook version visit here:
The Hoofcare Companion (eBook Edition) eBook : Jerram, Marc: Amazon.co.uk: Books

In this episode of The Hoofcare Companion, Marc Jerram takes an in-depth look at the suspensory ligaments of the lower limb, exploring teir anatomy, function, common injury patterns, and most importantly the farriery principles that influence both injury risk and rehabilitation.
Suspensory and navicular-related injuries remain one of the most common causes of chronic lameness and loss of performance across sport and leisure horses. This episode is designed to give farriers a clear working understanding of how hoof balance, trimming and shoeing decisions directly affect these structures, and how to work effectively alongside the veterinary surgeon during diagnosis and rehabilitation.
🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why the suspensory apparatus is a critical load-bearing and energy-storing system
The evolutionary anatomy of the suspensory ligament and its functional implications
Key anatomical differences between front and hind limb suspensory ligaments
How the muscular component of the hind limb suspensory influences performance and injury presentation
The role of the navicular suspensory structures, including the impar and collateral ligaments
How hoof conformation, toe length and heel height affect suspensory and navicular loading
Common suspensory injuries:Proximal suspensory desmitis
Mid-body and branch lesions
Navicular suspensory injuries

Why front limb injuries often present as lameness, while hind limb injuries present as performance problems
Diagnostic tools explained:Palpation and gait assessment
Ultrasonography
Radiography
MRI and its role in distal limb soft tissue diagnosis

Recognising altered gait patterns associated with suspensory pain
Evidence-based trimming principles for suspensory rehabilitation
Shoe selection strategies for:Front limb suspensory injuries
Hind limb suspensory injuries
Navicular suspensory pathology

The importance of farrier–veterinary collaboration throughout rehabilitation
🧠 Key Takeaways for Farriers
Small changes in hoof balance and breakover can significantly alter suspensory strain
Front and hind limbs must be approached very differently in both assessment and shoeing
Suspensory injuries are rarely just a “rest and hope” problem—mechanics matter
Correct trimming and shoeing can reduce reinjury risk and support long-term soundness
Ongoing reassessment is essential as the horse moves through rehabilitation phases
🛠️ Who This Episode Is For
Registered and apprentice farriers
Equine podiatrists
Veterinary surgeons working with lameness cases
Therapists involved in rehabilitation
Horse owners wanting a deeper understanding of suspensory injuries
Support the show
To order your hardback copy of The Hoofcare Companion visit:
Store | thefarrier
For an eBook version visit here:
The Hoofcare Companion (eBook Edition) eBook : Jerram, Marc: Amazon.co.uk: Books

Medio-lateral balance is one of the most influential and most misunderstood principles in farriery. In this episode of The Hoofcare Companion, we explore what medio-lateral balance really means, why visual symmetry can be misleading, and how poor balance contributes to long term lameness and pathology.
Marc explores how farriers should assess medio-lateral balance both statically and dynamically, explains how conformation dictates loading patterns, and discusses why trimming and shoeing decisions must always respect the horse’s functional anatomy. From long-axis assessment of the forelimb and hindlimb to the role of radiography in modern farriery, this episode provides practical, evidence based insight for working farriers, students, and equine professionals alike.
⏱️ Episode Chapters / Key Topics
What medio-lateral balance really means in farriery
Common misconceptions around “level” feet
Why functional balance matters more than visual symmetry
Static assessment: what to observe before lifting the foot
Using the coronary band, hoof capsule, and growth patterns as indicators
Assessing medio-lateral balance through the long axis
Dynamic assessment at walk and trot
Understanding landing patterns, stance phase, and breakover
How discipline and surface influence medio-lateral forces
Conformational faults and their impact on hoof loading
Toe-in, toe-out, base narrow, and base wide horses explained
The role of radiography in accurate balance assessment
Forelimb assessment and weight-bearing considerations
Hindlimb assessment and propulsion-related imbalances
Pathologies linked to chronic medio-lateral imbalance
Trimming strategies: restraint, precision, and gradual correction
Shoeing options for managing imbalance
Bar shoes, spiral lifts, pads, and frog support explained
Long-term management versus short-term correction
Key take-home messages for farriers and hoofcare professionals
🎯 Who This Episode Is For
Working farriers
Farriery apprentices and students
Equine vets and therapists
Educators and exam candidates
Horse owners interested in hoof biomechanics
🧠 Key Takeaways
Medio-lateral balance is functional, not cosmetic
Visual symmetry does not always equal correct loading
Conformation dictates how forces travel through the limb
Long-axis assessment is critical for accurate evaluation
Radiography can reveal hidden imbalances within the foot
Over-correction can be as damaging as no correction
Small, incremental changes produce the best long-term outcomes
🔧 Practical Skills Covered
Static and dynamic balance assessment
Long-axis limb evaluation
Identifying compensatory hoof distortions
Interpreting wear patterns and landing preferences
Selecting appropriate trimming and shoeing strategies
Support the show
To order your hardback copy of The Hoofcare Companion visit:
Store | thefarrier
For an eBook version visit here:
The Hoofcare Companion (eBook Edition) eBook : Jerram, Marc: Amazon.co.uk: Books

Hoof wall cracks are one of the most commonly encountered yet frequently misunderstood conditions in equine hoof care. In this episode of The Hoofcare Companion, Marc Jerram takes an in-depth look at hoof wall cracks, breaking down the different types, why they occur, how they affect soundness, and how farriers and veterinarians can work together to manage them effectively.
From superficial cosmetic defects to painful, performance-limiting cracks, this episode explains how hoof anatomy, biomechanics, trimming, shoeing, environment, and nutrition all play a role. Listeners will gain a clearer understanding of how to assess cracks both statically and dynamically, when veterinary diagnostics are required, and what realistic long-term outcomes look like.
Whether you’re a farrier, veterinary professional, student, or an owner wanting a deeper understanding of hoof health, this episode provides practical, evidence-based insight grounded in real-world hoof care.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
In this episode, we discuss:
What hoof wall cracks are and why they develop
The anatomy and biomechanics of the hoof wall
Vertical versus horizontal hoof wall cracks
Complete and incomplete cracks explained
Sensitive and non-sensitive cracks and their clinical relevance
Toe cracks and quarter cracks: why location matters
Common mechanical, environmental, nutritional, and pathological causes
Recognising clinical signs and indicators of pain
Static visual assessment of hoof wall cracks
Dynamic assessment and how movement influences crack progression
When and why veterinary diagnostics are required
Trimming principles for managing cracked hooves
Shoeing strategies to stabilise and unload the hoof capsule
Long-term management strategies and realistic prognosis
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is particularly relevant for:
Registered and apprentice farriers
Equine veterinarians and vet nurses
Farriery and equine science students
Hoof care professionals
Owners managing horses with recurring hoof wall issues
Key Takeaway
Hoof wall cracks are rarely a simple surface problem. Effective management depends on understanding hoof biomechanics, identifying the underlying causes, and applying consistent, long-term farriery and management strategies rather than short-term cosmetic fixes.
Support the show
To order your hardback copy of The Hoofcare Companion visit:
Store | thefarrier
For an eBook version visit here:
The Hoofcare Companion (eBook Edition) eBook : Jerram, Marc: Amazon.co.uk: Books