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Farrier HorseshoeingDescriptionThe performance and temperament of a polo pony is affected by the care of their hooves. A Farrier is a blacksmith who shoes horses. Farriery is the art of horseshoeing. Farriery is a physically demanding profession. It consists in the attachment of a shoe (a rim of iron), by means of nails, to the lower border of a polo pony's hoof, in order to prevent excessive wear and improve performance. Many Farriers have a professional level of National Certification such as AFA, BWFA, and GPF. Overview of HorseshoeingA horse's hooves can become too long because horseshoes prevent the natural hoof wear down which occurs in the wild. A farrier first removes the old shoe using pincers called shoe pullers. Next, he trims the hoof wall to the desired length with a sharp plier tool called nippers. Then the sole and frog of the hoof are cleaned and trimmed with a hoof knife. If the excess hoof is not trimmed properly, the coffin bone will become misaligned with bones in the pastern. This would place stress on the legs of the horse. Next, the horseshoes are bent to the correct shape using a hammer and anvil. Now the farrier nails the shoes into the hoof wall at the white line of the hoof. The nails bend outward as they are driven in, avoiding the sensitive inner part of the foot, and emerge on the sides of the hoof. Next, the farrier cuts off the sharp nail points and uses special tongs called a clincher to bend the rest of the nail so it is almost flush with the hoof wall. This prevents the nail from getting caught on something and also helps hold the nail in place. Lastly, the farrier uses a large rasp file to smooth the edge where it meets the shoe and eliminate the nail edges. Farrier Equipment
Healthy HoovesA healthy hoof includes:
Problem Hooves
When to Call the FarrierAll polo ponies, whether shod or not, should have a Farrier visit on a regular schedule. Most Farriers recommend anywhere from 4-6 weeks for polo ponies that are playing in season. Most healthy polo ponies can go barefoot if they are in a controlled environment. Nutrition and exercise have a direct affect on the growth of a polo pony's hooves.
A polo pony's feet should be cleaned and examined during regular grooming to detect common nail punctures, wounds or infections. Shoes may be reset two or three times before they wear out. Shoeing and trimming is best left to the experienced hand of a knowledgeable Farrier. |
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