Volume 4 Issue 4

I’VE GOT PEOPLE

The art of shoeing has been around since man first discovered the use of the horse.  As far back as the Roman Empire, we have been aware of the need to shoe horses, as our need for them increased.  In that era, horses were shod with a variety of materials, including a nifty little number made from wood, and strapped to the horse’s foot, much like a sandal for humans.

The people that shod horses back then were called “blacksmiths”, or a “smithy”. They worked metal on a forge for a variety of reasons, not just for shoeing.  The blacksmith was an integral part of the community, much like the auto mechanics of today. Through their expertise, they kept the horse sound of foot, thereby ensuring the horse’s continued and much needed services in the community.

Today, these people are called “Ferriers”, although some old timers still refer to them as blacksmiths.  We now have courses in colleges for Ferrier Science in an effort to keep the highest quality of shoeing continually updated to new and innovative procedures. [As a side note, a wooden shoe has just been “re-invented” in the treatment of foundered horses, and is held in place with either a special glue, or screws.  It seems we have come full circle, and everything old, is new again…..with some modern modifications, of course.]

These days, it is possible, for the Ferrier to work hand in hand with the Veterinarian.  This ensures that the most accurate and precise trimming occurs for the horse’s benefit with the use of digital x-rays.  Several years ago, this was not always a viable way of correcting the shoeing and trimming of horses feet, as the x-rays took several days to develop.  Now, with the use of a digital x-ray, problem feet can be x-rayed and a picture is immediately accessible.  This allows the Vet and the Ferrier to achieve pinpoint accuracy for corrective trimming and shoeing.  As the saying goes, one picture is worth a thousand words.

Because Ferrier Science is just that…..A Science…..it can become very complex, and complicated.  My goal is to keep this article and interview as simple as possible.  At the same time, I hope that it will answer questions to help clear up the mystery and guess work of the shoeing process.  To that end, this interview will be conducted with “normal” horseshoeing in mind.  If any of my readers have specific correctional shoeing questions, I invite them to contact me personally, and I will be glad to help them out.

This interview was conducted with Riki Root.  Riki has over 40 years of shoeing experience.  He works closely with other professionals and is familiar with corrective trimming and shoeing as well as with the use of digital x-rays.  He excels in diagnosing a horse’s natural way of going and trims and shoes them accordingly to keep them traveling sound and evenly according to the conformation of the horse.  He is very open to new technological advances in Ferrier Science and is constantly searching for new and creative ways to help keep a horse’s feet sound.

Riki also rides western, ropes, pens, cuts cows, and trail rides.  This means that he not only understands the shoeing mechanics from the ground, but also from a rider’s point of view, where the horse’s performance is concerned.

I have worked closely with Riki for over 15 years and he has literally saved several of the horses I have trained over the years.  I am forever thankful for Riki’s diligence, thoughtfulness and commitment to ensuring the highest quality of trimming and shoeing possible for the horses he works on.

Riki graciously consented to this interview to help promote a better understanding of the shoeing process, thereby ensuring better shoeing for our equine friends.

To read the interview part of this article, visit my store

ALWAYS REMEMBER…WHEN IN DOUBT….CALL YOUR VET

Wendy Teddiman, Trainer  (949)357-8040  (wen-dacres@cox.net)  (http://Wen-D-Acres.com)
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