Forging Soundness: Farrier Carly Peters on Hoof Health

Exploring Common Hoof Issues The Practical Solutions

With The Founder Of Steel Rose Forge

Carly Peters, CJF, operates her farrier business, Steel Rose Forge, out of Cleveland, Ohio. She has practiced for 10 years, and we spoke with her about her profession, common hoof problems, and how she treats them. Below is the interview by Team Absorbine!

Abs: Tell us a little about being a farrier and how you got to where you are.

CP: The horseshoeing school I attended introduced me to the American Farriers Association. The AFA has been a staple to my success in my career. There are many outlets to improve your skills and help the horse perform the best they can. From clinics to accredited certification and contests, there are many opportunities to be hands on and learn. That's what I enjoy the most about being a farrier; there's always a learning experience, and to be able to mix science and art is enjoyable to me.

Abs: What types of horses do you primarily shoe? 

CP: I mainly work on Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, Warmbloods, minis, and donkeys. I primarily shoe trail horses and owners who want to enjoy an equine companion, with some English show horses mixed in.

Abs: What type of shoeing do you specialize in?
CP: In my practice, I've had success with keg/box shoes and handmade shoes. Handmade shoes provide a more custom fit to the foot. Keg shoes are practical and sufficient.

Abs: When do you use box shoes versus handmade shoes? Do owners have a preference? What are the benefits of each type? 

CP: I'll use handmade shoes if the horse needs a therapeutic shoe or needs more customization to a shoe. The owners typically do not have a preference and are used to seeing box shoes these days as most farriers shoe with them. The benefit of box shoes is time efficiency. The benefit of a handmade shoe is the custom fit of the measurement, nail holes, and nail pitch. Those fundamentals are crucial in any style of shoe. Farriers can modify keg shoes for a more custom fit.

Abs: What are some issues you see with the horses you're working on? Do issues seem similar for horses doing similar jobs?

CP: The issues I typically see are arthritis, laminitis, founder, white line disease, and soft tissue injuries. In my experience, the show horses tend to have different issues than the trail horses.
The show horses seem to have more soft tissue injury due to workload. Laminitis and founder are unfortunately common in our region and can affect any horse. White line disease is common in our area because the wet and humid conditions soften the horse's hoof and can make the hoof start to separate. Separation, whether in a dry or humid climate, allows debris in and can bring fungi and bacteria to fester that area. Keeping up with regular hoof care can help minimize the common risks in your region that can affect their feet.

Abs: What is a common practice you use to treat hoof problems? 

CP: There are multiple scenarios for using hoof packing. My go-to is a leather or plastic full pad with Magic Cushion for consistent relief. Magic Cushion is a versatile soft hoof packing (a product clinically proven to provide fast, soothing relief for overheated, stressed hooves) used on the bottom of a horse's foot. I can really appreciate this product because of the iodine and Venice Turpentine. Those two components work very well for the bottom of a horse's foot and keep it healthy. Our area has a lot of Thoroughbred horses, and a majority of them have thin soles, and using a softer packing like Magic Cushion is typically successful.

Peters stressed that horse hooves are different (often even on the same horse). Just as it is important to choose a well-fitting shoe that is either designed for or provides the correct support for a specific activity, it is essential to have an educated farrier caring for your horse’s feet and to fit them correctly with shoes for safety, comfort and functionality.