Managing a Horse’s Underrun Heels

Stephen O’Grady, DVM, MRCVS, owner of Virginia Therapeutic Farriery, in Keswick, says underrun heels are one of the most important and common foot abnormalities the horse industry faces today. He was a professional farrier for 10 years before earning a degree in veterinary medicine from the University of Pretoria, in South Africa, in 1981, and he now focuses solely on podiatry with his practice. He says any of the items listed above can cause underrun heels.

But both he and Tracy Turner, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, Dipl. ACVSMR, of Anoka Equine Veterinary Hospital, in Elk River, Minnesota, shy away from using that “long-toed, low-heeled hoof” phrase.

To read the rest of the article click here