The Hoofcare Companion

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
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Hoof wall cracks are one of the most commonly encountered yet frequently misunderstood conditions in equine hoof care. In this episode of The Hoofcare Companion, Marc Jerram takes an in-depth look at hoof wall cracks, breaking down the different types, why they occur, how they affect soundness, and how farriers and veterinarians can work together to manage them effectively.
From superficial cosmetic defects to painful, performance-limiting cracks, this episode explains how hoof anatomy, biomechanics, trimming, shoeing, environment, and nutrition all play a role. Listeners will gain a clearer understanding of how to assess cracks both statically and dynamically, when veterinary diagnostics are required, and what realistic long-term outcomes look like.
Whether you’re a farrier, veterinary professional, student, or an owner wanting a deeper understanding of hoof health, this episode provides practical, evidence-based insight grounded in real-world hoof care.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
In this episode, we discuss:
What hoof wall cracks are and why they develop
The anatomy and biomechanics of the hoof wall
Vertical versus horizontal hoof wall cracks
Complete and incomplete cracks explained
Sensitive and non-sensitive cracks and their clinical relevance
Toe cracks and quarter cracks: why location matters
Common mechanical, environmental, nutritional, and pathological causes
Recognising clinical signs and indicators of pain
Static visual assessment of hoof wall cracks
Dynamic assessment and how movement influences crack progression
When and why veterinary diagnostics are required
Trimming principles for managing cracked hooves
Shoeing strategies to stabilise and unload the hoof capsule
Long-term management strategies and realistic prognosis
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is particularly relevant for:
Registered and apprentice farriers
Equine veterinarians and vet nurses
Farriery and equine science students
Hoof care professionals
Owners managing horses with recurring hoof wall issues
Key Takeaway
Hoof wall cracks are rarely a simple surface problem. Effective management depends on understanding hoof biomechanics, identifying the underlying causes, and applying consistent, long-term farriery and management strategies rather than short-term cosmetic fixes.
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 Christmas Special of The Hoofcare Companion, host Marc Jerram reflects on the demands of elite racehorse farriery while thanking listeners for their incredible support throughout 2025. This episode takes a deep dive into the specialised art and science of shoeing the Thoroughbred racehorse — an athlete operating at the absolute limits of biomechanical performance.
From breed-specific hoof challenges to trimming protocols, shoe selection, and the key differences between flat and National Hunt racing, this episode brings together practical farriery insight with evidence-based understanding. Whether you’re working on the track, in training yards, or managing performance horses in other disciplines, this episode highlights how precision hoofcare underpins soundness, performance, and career longevity.
🎙️ What You’ll Hear in This Episode
Why racehorse farriery is different
Understanding the extreme forces placed on the hoof at racing speeds and why small errors can have major consequences.
Thoroughbred hoof characteristics
Thin walls, shallow soles, long pasterns, and how selective breeding for speed influences hoof integrity and injury risk.
Static & dynamic hoof assessment
The importance of evaluating balance, hoof–pastern axis, landing patterns, breakover, and how movement reveals issues unseen at rest.
Conservative trimming protocols
Why horn preservation is critical in racehorses and how functional balance matters more than cosmetic symmetry.
Shoes & shoeing strategies
Aluminium vs steel shoes, toe clips, breakover modifications, heel support, and surface-specific considerations.
Flat racing vs National Hunt shoeing
Key differences in speed, endurance, traction, durability, and how shoeing strategies adapt between disciplines.
Common Thoroughbred foot problems
Thin soles, underrun heels, white line disease, poor horn quality, and how farriery plays a preventative role.
Collaboration in elite hoofcare
The importance of teamwork between farrier, veterinarian, and trainer in managing soundness and performance.
🎄 Christmas Message
Marc also takes a moment to thank listeners, guests, and supporters for being part of The Hoofcare Companion throughout 2025, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and all the best for a sound, successful, and progressive 2026.
🎧 Who This Episode Is For
Farriers working with racehorses or performance horses
Equine veterinarians and students
Trainers and industry professionals
Anyone interested in elite hoof biomechanics and applied farriery
📌 Subscribe & Support
If you’ve enjoyed The Hoofcare Companion this year, please subscribe, share the podcast with colleagues, and leave a review — your support helps keep evidence-based hoofcare conversations moving forward.
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, we take a look into one of the most fundamental yet often misunderstood concepts in farriery and hoof care: the hoof pastern axis.
Using anatomy, biomechanics, and real world farriery principles, this episode explains what a normal hoof pastern axis looks like, why it matters for soundness and performance, and how broken back and broken forward alignments affect the horse over time. We explore how trimming and shoeing choices influence internal structures, why visual assessment alone can be misleading, and how radiographs have transformed modern hoof care decision making.
This episode is essential listening for farriers, veterinarians, and hoof care professionals who want to improve long term outcomes rather than chase cosmetic balance.
What You Will Learn in This Episode
In this episode we cover what the hoof pastern axis actually represents anatomically and biomechanically and why it is more than just a straight line on the side of the foot. We explain how the alignment of the pastern bones and distal phalanx influences load distribution through joints tendons and ligaments during movement.
You will learn how a normal hoof pastern axis supports efficient locomotion shock absorption and tendon function and why there is no single ideal hoof angle that suits every horse. We also discuss why breed type discipline and individual conformation must always be considered when assessing alignment.
The episode breaks down the broken back hoof pastern axis in detail including how long toes and low or underrun heels develop over time and why this alignment places increased strain on the deep digital flexor tendon navicular apparatus and suspensory structures. We discuss the early warning signs farriers should look for and the long term consequences if the imbalance is left unaddressed.
We also explore the broken forward hoof pastern axis including upright and club foot type presentations and why aggressive heel lowering can sometimes do more harm than good. The episode explains how concussion loading changes in these feet and why some horses cope better than others depending on workload and surface.
Finally we look at how to balance conformation function and intervention using radiographs dynamic assessment and collaborative work between farrier and veterinarian to support soundness rather than force visual ideals.
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is designed for professional farriers apprentice farriers equine veterinarians veterinary nurses and serious horse owners who want a deeper understanding of hoof biomechanics. It is particularly relevant for those working with performance horses managing chronic foot issues or looking to improve long term soundness through evidence based hoof care.
Key Discussion Themes
The anatomical definition and function of the hoof pastern axis
 Why external hoof appearance does not always reflect internal alignment
 The biomechanical differences between normal broken back and broken forward axes
 How trimming and shoeing influence tendon and joint loading
 The role of radiographs in modern farr
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 Angular Limb Deformities (ALDs) in foals—one of the most important developmental challenges faced by breeders, farriers, and equine veterinarians. These early-life limb deviations can influence a horse’s long-term soundness, athletic potential, and overall welfare. This conversation unpacks what ALDs are, how they develop, how to diagnose them, and the full spectrum of modern treatment options.
• What Are Angular Limb Deformities?
Definitions of valgus and varus deviations
Commonly affected joints: carpus, fetlock, tarsus
Why early identification is crucial
• The Anatomy Behind ALDs
The role of growth plates (physes) in young foals
How asymmetric growth creates crooked limbs
Why mild carpal valgus in newborns is often normal—and when it isn’t
• Causes and Risk Factors
We explore both congenital and acquired causes, including:
Incomplete ossification in premature or dysmature foals
Trauma to physes and soft tissue support
Rapid growth rates and mineral imbalances
Environmental loading factors (footing, trimming)
Genetic predisposition in certain lines
• Clinical Signs to Look For
How to assess a foal from the front and rear
Distinguishing true ALDs from rotational issues
Subtle signs that deformities are worsening
Consequences of leaving ALDs untreated
• Diagnostic Tools
Radiography as the gold standard
What imaging reveals about deviation severity and growth potential
When ultrasonography adds value
• Conservative Management Strategies
How controlled exercise helps (and when it doesn’t)
Corrective trimming principles for valgus and varus
Use of extensions, glue-ons, and wedges
The importance of balanced young-stock nutrition
• Surgical Options for Moderate–Severe ALDs
Periosteal stripping: When it works and why age matters
Transphyseal bridging: How implants guide growth correction
Rare but possible: osteotomy for severe late-stage cases
• Prognosis & Long-Term Outlook
Which cases resolve on their own
Age-related windows for effective correction
Potential long-term issues if treatment is delayed
Realistic athletic expectations for corrected foals
• Prevention & Early Monitoring
Managing the pregnant mare’s diet
Footing, exercise, and early handling
Weekly limb assessments in the first month
The importance of vet–farrier collaboration
📚 Key Takeaways
ALDs are common but highly treatable when identified early.
Farriery, nutrition, management, and veterinary intervention form a single, coordinated system.
With early correction, most foals enjoy excellent long-term soundness.
📖 References
This episode draws on established research by Adams & Stashak, O’Grady & Poupard, Ralston, Redding & O’Grady, Santschi et al., and
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