Some don't recognize hoof issues like founder and abscesses and hoof ailments are often misdiagnosed so it's the owners responsibility to determine when a veterinarian should be called in to check their horses.
Hoof care professionals, in some cases may know more than your vet about hoof related illnesses, but we are NOT veterinarians and it's not even legal in the state of Washington for hoofcare professional to diagnose problems like laminitis/founder. If we suspect serious hoof issues, we need to recommend a vet be called in.
I have to write this because I'm seeing so much of the opposite going on and walking into cases with horses who have been under a farrier or trimmers care for months even years and finding issues that are usually associated with serious neglect.
Ultimately the horse's hoof care is the owner's responsibility. If you don't like what you're seeing call for a second opinion. If that bothers your hoof care professional, replace him/her. Second opinions are typical in other fields and we shouldn't feel guilty about making sure our horses are getting the best care possible and that our money isn't being wasted on anything less. If your trimmer/shoer objects, get's angry and quits, or assures you that they already know it all, then they don't know what they don't know and they are the most dangerous ones to have working on your horses!
6 comments:
Great post! If only more people would take the time to learn the basics at the very least, so they know what to look for. They don't seem to grasp the concept that their horses health is fist, last & always their responsibility.
That's interesting about the legalities... where you do find this out for your particular state? I am on my way to starting an (eventual) career as a trimmer so I'm interested to know!
Hi Andrea,
Initially Pete Ramey told me that, but my sister who worked for the State Dept of Licensing for many years confirmed it. We have to be careful about practicing veterinary medicine without a license. Although that doesn't keep some folks from doing things that aren't quite legal for them to be doing.
Hi pat
your so right. it is also the same for California. if i come out to a new client and see something i have never seen/or read about i am the first one to say "You need a vet to come out" then i get people making up excuses. i tell people i am not a vet, i cannot review and tell you what issues your animal may have. that where i am having issues. people want me to trim at a lower rate and play vet and i do not do that.
Erika-in Calif.
I think I recognize that hoof. It is in Costa Rica, right?
No, it must be a look-alike. That one lives around here. I can't remember exactly which horse it is now, but I'm pretty sure the picture was taken in our barnyard.
:0)
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