The Hoofcare Companion

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

The Equine Pastern: Anatomy & Function
In this episode of The Hoofcare Companion, we explore the anatomy and function of the equine pastern and examine why this relatively small region of the limb is so important to soundness, movement and hoofcare.
We look at the proximal and middle phalanges, the pastern joint and its relationship with the coffin joint. The episode also explores the important soft tissue structures surrounding the pastern, including the joint capsule, collateral ligaments, superficial digital flexor tendon and deep digital flexor tendon.
Understanding how these structures work together helps explain how the pastern supports the horse during weight bearing, absorbs and redistributes forces, and contributes to efficient locomotion.
For farriers, the pastern cannot be considered in isolation. We discuss the relationship between pastern conformation, hoof balance and the hoof-pastern axis, and why understanding these anatomical relationships is essential when assessing hoof mechanics and making informed farriery decisions.
SEND Support
This podcast has been designed to support listeners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The content is structured around clear explanations, defined anatomical terms and repetition of key concepts. Listening alongside the accompanying learning outcomes and questions can help learners consolidate information and revisit sections where required.
Learning Outcomes
After listening, you should be able to:
• Identify the bones and joints of the pastern.
• Describe the main soft tissue structures associated with the pastern joint.
• Explain the role of the pastern in movement, stability and force distribution.
Learning Questions
Which bones form the pastern?
What structures stabilise the pastern joint?
What is the role of the digital flexor tendons?
How does the pastern contribute to shock absorption?
Why is the hoof-pastern axis important to the farrier?
The Hoofcare Companion – anatomy, biomechanics and hoofcare explained for farriers and equine professionals.

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

A Articulação do Artelho do Cavalo | O Companheiro de Cuidados com os Cascos

Neste episódio do Companheiro de Cuidados com os Cascos, exploramos a anatomia e a função de uma das articulações distais mais importantes do cavalo — o artelho.

Examinamos os ossos que formam o artelho, incluindo o metacarpo/metatarso distal, a falange proximal e os ossos sesamóides proximais, antes de olhar para a cápsula articular e as estruturas que fornecem estabilidade.

O episódio analisa mais de perto os tecidos moles do artelho, incluindo o ligamento suspensor, os tendões flexores digitais superficiais e profundos, os ligamentos colaterais e os ligamentos sesamóides distais. Explicamos como estas estruturas trabalham juntas para controlar o movimento e evitar a extensão excessiva durante o apoio do peso.

Também exploramos o papel do artelho na locomoção, incluindo como o aparelho suspensor e os tendões flexores digitais ajudam a absorver, armazenar e libertar energia mecânica.

Para os ferradores, compreender a anatomia do artelho é particularmente importante quando consideram como h
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