The Final Episode in the Series

In the final episode of this educational farriery series, Marc Jerram takes a deep dive into one of the most discussed and challenging causes of chronic forelimb lameness in the horse, navicular syndrome.

This episode explores the modern understanding of navicular syndrome and explains why it is no longer viewed as a disease of the navicular bone alone, but rather as a complex condition involving the entire navicular apparatus including the deep digital flexor tendon, navicular bursa, ligaments and surrounding soft tissues within the foot.

Marc breaks down the anatomy and biomechanics of the navicular region in a practical and easy to understand format before discussing how poor hoof balance, conformation, workload and management can contribute to degeneration and chronic pain within the caudal foot.

Throughout the episode listeners will gain a detailed understanding of:

The anatomy and function of the navicular bone and surrounding structures

The early warning signs and clinical presentation of navicular syndrome

How biomechanics and hoof conformation influence disease progression

The role of long toes, underrun heels and poor breakover

The pathogenesis of navicular related degeneration

Nutritional and dietary considerations for hoof health and inflammation

Modern veterinary diagnostics including MRI and diagnostic nerve blocks

Veterinary treatment options including medications, regenerative therapies and surgery

Static and dynamic gait assessment of horses with navicular pain

Therapeutic farriery approaches including trimming strategies and corrective shoeing

The use of raised heels, egg bar shoes, Memphis bar shoes, pads and wedge systems

Barefoot rehabilitation and the use of hoof boots in selected cases

Long term management, prognosis and quality of life considerations

This episode is designed for farriers, veterinary professionals, equine students and horse owners wanting a clearer understanding of one of the most important conditions affecting equine soundness and performance.

Thank you for following this podcast series and supporting The Hoofcare Companion throughout its educational journey. We hope these episodes have helped expand your knowledge, improve your practical understanding and encourage continued discussion surrounding evidence based hoof care and farriery.

If you have enjoyed the series, please follow, rate and share the podcast to help support future educational content.

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, we explore one of the most important yet often overlooked structures in the equine hoof — the frog.

From its role in shock absorption and circulation to its importance as a diagnostic reference point in farriery, this episode breaks down everything you need to know in a clear and practical way.

We also explore common frog pathologies, how they develop, and most importantly how to treat and prevent them effectively in real-world farriery practice.

📚 What You’ll Learn

•  The anatomy and structure of the frog 
•  The function of the frog in movement, circulation, and stability 
•  Why the frog is critical for hoof balance and assessment 
•  Best practices for correct frog trimming 
•  How hoof conformation influences frog development 

⚠️ Conditions Covered

We break down the key frog pathologies every farrier and equine professional should understand:

• Thrush – causes, treatment, and prevention 
• Canker – recognising and managing this aggressive condition 
• Sheared Heels – how imbalance affects the frog 
• Frog Atrophy – why it happens and how to reverse it 
• Puncture Wounds – risks, complications, and treatment approaches 

🛠️ Practical Takeaways

•  How to approach frog trimming without compromising function 
•  Proven treatment strategies used in modern farriery 
•  Environmental and management changes that make a real difference 
•  When to involve veterinary support 
•  How to use the frog as a guide for balance and internal hoof structures 

🎧 Who This Episode Is For

•  Farriers (students to experienced professionals) 
•  Equine vets and vet nurses 
•  Horse owners wanting a deeper understanding of hoof health 
•  Anyone interested in improving equine soundness and performance 

💡 Key Message

The frog is not just passive tissue, it is a dynamic, functional structure that reflects the overall health of the hoof. Understanding it properly can transform how you approach trimming, shoeing, and rehabilitation.

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 boots are transforming modern farriery—but are you using them correctly?

In this episode of The Hoofcare Companion, host Marc Jerram breaks down everything you need to know about hoof boots, from their historical origins to their role in performance, barefoot management, and rehabilitation.

Whether you're a farrier, vet, or horse owner, this episode will help you understand when, why, and how to use hoof boots effectively—and avoid the common mistakes that lead to poor outcomes.

🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

•  The evolution of hoof protection from ancient methods to modern boots 
•  The key differences between hoof boots and traditional shoeing 
•  Why hoof boots are essential for barefoot horses 
•  How to assess the hoof correctly before fitting 
•  The pros and cons of leading hoof boot brands 
•  How hoof boots support rehabilitation and laminitis cases 
•  Common fitting mistakes and how to avoid them 

🐎 Brands & Products Mentioned

Scoot Boots
 Flex Boots
 Equine Fusion
 Cavallo
 Renegade Hoof Boots
 Pioneer Sport
 EasyCare / Easyboot range

⚙️ Who This Episode Is For

•  Farriers looking to expand their skillset 
•  Veterinary professionals involved in hoof care 
•  Horse owners transitioning to barefoot 
•  Riders wanting better performance and hoof protection 
•  Anyone interested in modern, evidence-based hoof care

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

Interference injuries are more than just knocks and cuts, they’re often a sign of deeper biomechanical inefficiencies within the horse. In this episode of The Hoofcare Companion, Marc Jerram takes a detailed look at the causes, types, and farriery strategies used to manage interference.

From forging and overreach to brushing and toe drag, we break down how and why these injuries occur, and most importantly, how farriers can assess and address them through effective trimming and shoeing techniques.

Whether you're a practicing farrier, apprentice, or equine professional, this episode provides practical insights into improving movement, reducing injury, and enhancing overall performance.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

•  What interference injuries really indicate about a horse’s movement 
•  The key differences between overreach, forging, and brushing 
•  How conformation influences limb flight and injury risk 
•  The importance of static vs dynamic assessment 
•  How breakover timing affects interference 
•  The role of radiography in diagnosing imbalance 
•  Practical trimming strategies to improve hoof balance 
•  Shoeing techniques including: 
  •  Safed off shoes 
  •  Rolled and square toe designs 
  •  Trailer shoes and asymmetric shoeing 
  •  Use of studs, pins, and traction devices 

🐎 Key Takeaways

Interference is rarely random, it’s usually the result of imbalance, poor timing, or conformational predisposition. By focusing on accurate assessment and targeted farriery, you can significantly reduce injury risk and improve locomotor efficiency.

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, we explore the precision of shoeing the dressage horse, from Intro level through to Grand Prix.

Learn how different movements influence hoof loading, how to assess the horse both statically and dynamically, and how shoeing strategies adapt to surfaces, conformation, and performance demands.

We cover trimming principles, shoe selection, barefoot management, and the importance of working alongside vets and physiotherapists to support long-term soundness.

A practical, evidence-based guide for farriers working with the modern dressage athlete.

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

Cushings disease, correctly termed pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, is one of the most important endocrine disorders affecting the ageing horse and a leading underlying cause of laminitis and chronic hoof pathology.

In this episode of The Hoofcare Companion, host Marc Jerram delivers a clear, farriery focused overview of Cushings disease, explaining how pituitary dysfunction leads to widespread metabolic, vascular, and immune changes that often manifest first within the hoof.

The episode explores thorough assessment of the Cushings affected horse, common and subtle clinical signs, laminitis risk, and the farrier’s role in early recognition. Veterinary diagnostics, medical treatment, and the importance of collaboration between farrier and vet are discussed, alongside practical hoof management strategies aimed at reducing mechanical stress and supporting long term comfort.

This episode is essential listening for farriers, veterinarians, and horse owners seeking a deeper understanding of Cushings disease and its impact on hoof health, laminitis, and lifelong management.

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, 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.

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

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