Professional Hoof Care & Farrier Service

Today the performance horse industry has become quite physically demanding of our equine athletes. Therefore it is vital that our horses receive the best of hoof care throughout their careers. As the old adage goes....

"No hoof no horse"

These hooves are those of a 22 YEAR OLD Breeding Stallion which had become physically unable to service mares. The inability of the Stallion to cover his mares was primarily due to Hoof Mismanagement which brought about much pain in the hind quarters and front limbs as well. Following proper care of these hooves, the Stallion returned to breeding mares QUITE WELL.
#1 - (Notice the lameness rings in the hoof of the right foreleg in the comparison photo) and #2 - (Notice the trimmed portion of the hoof on the left foreleg begins on the lateral (outside) toe quarter. This horse was over an inch longer on the inside causing horrific pain to the joints on that leg.)

Here at Fairchild Cutting Horses we strive for hoof symmetry and perhaps most importantly to maintain the true biomechanical relationship between the hooves' and their respective leg bones. Acquiring biomechanical accuracy of the hoof should allow a horse to move true to its musculoskeletal structure, maximizing soundness, performance and consistency.

"The hoof is a book to the body"

This is our basic philosophy, and therefore we believe that a dis-eased body will dis-ease the hooves or a dis-eased hoof will dis-ease the body. We would like to emphasize that hoof conformation and integrity are affected by many variables. Some of the primary factors affecting the hooves' of our performance horses today are NUTRITION, PROPER HOOF CARE, MUSCULOSKELETAL SOUNDNESS, ADEQUATE EXERCISE, FREQUENT FROG PRESSURE AND GENETICS. In summary, normal hoof conformation usually suggests that many of the previously mentioned factors are satisfactory while abnormal hoof conformation suggests there may be potential inadequacies or areas of concern.

We apply our extensive knowledge of hoof management to every horse that is within our care, ensuring they have the greatest opportunity to succeed no matter the equine discipline. Our goal is to optimize each horse's level of soundness, thereby increasing performance and consistency in the arena.

It is our utmost desire to help others through education and by being of service, and hope that you will contact us if we can help you and your horse in any way. Please remember that we also provide seminars and clinics, and would be happy to provide this service at your next equine event.

"De Agony of De Feet"

This photo of a 17 year old stallion shows the eggbar shoe that came off of him (being hand-held to the foot for comparison purposes). Using our philosophy, we barefooted this horse to increase frog pressure which promotes natural hoof mechanics, expansion and soundness. After a year and a half of proper hoof care management, the heel quarters had spread out nearly two inches, and previous problems of lameness, contracted heels, under run heels, straight walls and incorrect break over were alleviated. This horse continued to go barefoot and sound in the limestone country of central Texas.

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Fairchild Cutting Horses & Cattle Co.

P O Box 192
New Summerfield, TX 75780
903-726-3319

© Fairchild Cutting Horses & Cattle Co.
Ross & Dawn Fairchild
April 10, 2003