Steve Wyles AWCF at work during a farrier
referral clinic at Pool House Equine Clinic.
Vets from Pool House Equine Clinic have
always worked closely with our local farriers. Former partner Hugh Davies MBE
started the close association of the practice with farriers when he became a
veterinary examiner for the Worshipful Company of Farriers – he is now one of
the longest serving examiners. Following the practice tradition Richard
Stephenson, one of the current partners, is also a WCF Veterinary examiner and
both now serve on the Executive Group of the WCF Examinations Board.
There are a number of lamenesses that can
only be treated successfully by close cooperation between farrier and
veterinary surgeon. A by no means exhaustive list of such conditions includes
laminitis, ring bone, side bone, caudal heel pain (navicular disease),
contracted tendons and hoof defects.
In the UK today we are fortunate to have
with out doubt the highest standard of farriery found anywhere in the world.
Farriers serve a lengthy apprenticeship, during which they are monitored by the
NVQ system. At the end of their training they must take the tough WCF Diploma
exam before being allowed to register as a farrier. Once they have practiced for
two years they are eligible to take further WCF examinations, first the
Associateship and then the Fellowship of the Company. Farriers from all over the
world aspire to hold these coveted awards.
Pool house Equine Clinic Farrier Referral Service.
Steve Wyles AWCF is our referral farrier. Steve has worked with the practice for
the last twenty years and now holds regular shoeing clinics at Crown Inn farm on
Thursday mornings. During these clinics a vet is at hand to radiograph the
horse’s feet before, during and after remedial farriery.
This X-ray demonstrates a
number of ‘imbalances’. The centre of gravity is too far towards the heels, and
the palmar processes of the pedal bone are below the level of the solar margin
at the toe. Such conformation often leads (as in this case) to palmar heel pain.
N.B. palmar means towards the back of the foot.
After remedial farriery
the same foot has much better balance. The centre of gravity is now directly
above the centre of the shoe, and the application of 4mm heel wedges has
resulted in a ‘normal’ angle between the solar surface of the pedal bone and the
ground. Using a shoe without clips has enabled it to be fitted to the foot in a
more sympathetic position.
It is important in achieving a successful
outcome for the horse that any corrective procedure is carried out with the full
knowledge and cooperation of the horse’s usual farrier. Therefore we will always
discuss a case with the horse’s regular blacksmith before undertaking any work.
Referrals can be accepted from other
farriers as well as veterinary practices.
Steve Wyles AWCF – Careful
preparation of the foot is all important.
Equine Services
