Hoof abscesses are one of the most common causes of sudden lameness in horses, but how much do you really understand about their causes, diagnosis and treatment?

In this episode of The Hoofcare Companion, we explore the pathology of hoof abscesses, examining how bacteria enter the foot, the predisposing factors involved and why an apparently minor lesion can cause severe pain.

We discuss the clinical signs to recognise, including increased digital pulses, hoof sensitivity and sudden-onset lameness, alongside the importance of distinguishing an abscess from solar bruising, laminitis, fractures and other serious conditions.

Discover the different drainage pathways, from the sole and white line to the coronary band and heel bulbs, and learn why the exit point may not reveal the original source of infection.

We also examine veterinary diagnostic techniques, including hoof testers and radiography, treatment options, appropriate drainage, poulticing, pain relief and when antibiotics may be necessary.

Finally, we consider the farrier’s role in managing hoof abscesses, preserving healthy horn, selecting protective shoeing options and recognising when veterinary investigation is essential.

Learning outcomes
• Understand the causes and development of hoof abscesses.
• Recognise clinical signs and potential exit points.
• Understand veterinary diagnostic and treatment options.
• Explore farriery management, complications and prevention.
• Appreciate the importance of veterinary–farrier collaboration.

Whether you are a farrier, veterinary professional, equine student or horse owner, this episode provides practical knowledge to support better decision-making and equine welfare.

Support the show

To order your hardback copy of The Hoofcare Companion visit:

Store | thefarrier

For an eBook version visit here:

The Hoofcare Companion (eBook Edition) eBook : Jerram, Marc: Amazon.co.uk: Books

White Line Disease & Seedy Toe in the Horse

What is the difference between white line disease and seedy toe? Are they actually the same condition and is white line disease really just a fungal infection?

In this episode, we look beyond the visible cavity to explore what is happening inside the hoof and why understanding the underlying mechanics is essential for successful treatment.

We cover:

• White line disease vs seedy toe
• Causes and contributing factors
• Clinical signs and diagnosis
• When radiographs are important
• Debridement and treatment
• Corrective trimming and therapeutic farriery
• The role of topical treatments
• Hoof protection and shoeing options
• Prognosis and rehabilitation
• Veterinary–farrier collaboration

The key message: don't just treat the hole, understand why it developed!

An essential listen for farriers, vets, veterinary students, equine professionals and anyone wanting to understand hoof-wall pathology at a deeper level.

🎧 Listen now and develop your understanding of one of the hoof conditions that can remain hidden until significant structural damage has occurred.

Support the show

To order your hardback copy of The Hoofcare Companion visit:

Store | thefarrier

For an eBook version visit here:

The Hoofcare Companion (eBook Edition) eBook : Jerram, Marc: Amazon.co.uk: Books

In this special preview, Marc Jerram introduces The Farrier’s Mindset, a 6 hour audiobook created primarily to help apprentice farriers prepare for written and professional discussion examinations.

Rather than simply providing more information to memorise, the audiobook focuses on how to think with the knowledge you already have.

Farriery examinations require more than recalling facts. You need to understand what a question is asking, identify the relevant knowledge, apply it to the situation and explain the reasoning behind your answer. The Farrier’s Mindset takes you through this process step by step.

The audiobook explores areas including examination technique, health and safety, risk assessment, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, hoof balance, movement, pathology, diagnostic information, farriery decision-making, professional communication and collaboration with other equine professionals.

Throughout, the emphasis is on connecting information rather than learning isolated facts. You are encouraged to ask:

What am I observing?

Why might I be observing it?

What does the information tell me?

How does it apply to this horse?

What are the options?

Why would I choose one approach?

How can I explain my reasoning clearly?

Knowledge checks and examination-style questions encourage you to stop, think and construct your own answers, helping turn passive listening into active revision.

Although created with apprentice farriers in mind, the audiobook is also relevant to registered farriers and other equine professionals who want to develop their understanding of the reasoning behind professional farriery decisions.

It is designed to complement, rather than replace, a good farriery textbook. Visual subjects such as anatomy, radiographs, hoof morphology and shoe design are best supported by appropriate visual resources, while this audiobook concentrates on developing the thought process behind applying that knowledge.

Whether you are revising for an examination, travelling between yards or simply looking to develop your professional reasoning, The Farrier’s Mindset aims to help you move from remembering knowledge to understanding, applying and explaining it.

Listen to this preview to discover how the audiobook approaches farriery education and why developing the right mindset can be just as important as learning the facts.

Support the show

To order your hardback copy of The Hoofcare Companion visit:

Store | thefarrier

For an eBook version visit here:

The Hoofcare Companion (eBook Edition) eBook : Jerram, Marc: Amazon.co.uk: Books