Farrier Service in Sunshine Coast

A horse needs a regular schedule of hoof care by Sunshine Coast Farrier Services to remain sound and comfortable. This maintenance should include trimming and resetting the shoe. A schedule allows our farriers to ensure the hoof remains healthy and helps prevent other issues from developing.

Benefits of a regular schedule: 



• Balanced hooves: Properly trimmed hooves remain balanced. Unchecked hooves can become imbalanced and suffer issues including cracks and wall separations. 
  
• Tendon & joint support: Extra stress on the hoof wall by overgrown toes and imbalanced hooves also places strain on joints and tendons, which could lead to injury.
  
• Prevent extremes: Routine visits remove the risk of an extreme situation arising.
• Comfort: By eliminating extremes, providing correct support and maintaining balanced hooves, the horse keeps sound and performs. Routine visits also allow the horse to be more comfortable with the check-ups and the farrier.

Should you require blacksmithing or veterinary referrals, our team can help!

The frequency of farrier visits depends on the health and growth rate of your horse’s hooves. A badly damaged or diseased hoof may require more attention but premium hoof care usually requires trimming every four weeks. A similar timeframe is recommended for shoeing to maintain optimum performance and hoof balance.

A number of factors can affect hoof growth and, therefore, the frequency of visits required to maintain it. They include:

• Age: Foals and yearlings typically have faster hoof growth, due in part to a higher metabolic rate than that found in an aged horse. 
• Environment: Wet weather or a contaminated environment can develop hoof-eating microbes or bacteria-related issues. Colder weather can slow hoof growth.
• Exercise: Regularly exercised horses tend to have better hoof growth. Activity increases the metabolism, which boosts available hormones and nutrients.
• Genetics: Some horses are born with the genes to build better quality hooves than others.
• Nutrition: A quality hoof supplement will promote healthy growth. Hoof related issues and a dull hair coat are among the first signs such a boost is needed.

Our farriers’ review of these factors can give a reliable sense of hoof growth and how often visits should occur.