Texas A&M Farrier Conference offers tips on proper foot care, shoeing techniques

Contact: Dr. Dennis Sigler, 979-862-3595, dsigler@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – More than 70 professional farriers, veterinary students, farrier school students and horse owners gathered for the Texas A&M University Farrier Conference held Jan. 10 in College Station.

Hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the department of animal science at Texas A&M, the one-day workshop provided the latest information on proper foot care and shoeing techniques, according to organizers.

“The 2014 TAMU Farriers Conference was well attended and was a huge success due largely to the number of highly qualified farriers in attendance,” said Dr. Dennis Sigler, AgriLife Extension horse specialist. “I continue to be impressed with the Texas Professional Farriers Association and American Farriers Association and their members’ dedication to the continuing education of all professional farriers and the skills and knowledge that the majority of these professionals have.”

Featured presentations included preparing the foot for shoeing, the value of farrier certification, laminitis research update, live hoof and lower limb dissection, live demonstrations of variations in foot flight demonstrated on the high-speed treadmill, effect of nutrition on hoof health, therapeutic shoeing techniques for laminitis and navicular syndrome and the latest techniques in applying synthetic foot protection material.

Sigler said he and a group of nationally renowned experts made the presentations, including:  Dr. David Hood, Hoof Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Center; Dr. Lynn Ruoff, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Connie Larson, ZINPRO Research Nutritionist; Blane Chapman, American Farriers Association-Certified Journeyman Farrier; Pat Burton, American Farriers Association-Certified Journeyman Farrier; and Tab Pigg, Vettec representative and American Farriers Association-Certified Journeyman Farrier.

“In addition to presentations and demonstrations, lively, interactive discussions were held to take advantage of the knowledge and experience of the large number of certified farriers and examiners in attendance,” Sigler said.

Following the conclusion of the conference, on Jan. 11 the Texas Professional Farrier Association sponsored an American Farriers Association Certification exam for those desiring to take one of the certification exams. Twenty individuals took exams for farrier certification, according to organizers.

The conference was made possible by ZinPro Corporation, MLS Nutritional Supplements and Alvin Farrier Supply, along with the support of AgriLife Extension and the department of animal science.

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