The Hoofcare Companion

The Final Episode in the Series
In the final episode of this educational farriery series, Marc Jerram takes a deep dive into one of the most discussed and challenging causes of chronic forelimb lameness in the horse, navicular syndrome.
This episode explores the modern understanding of navicular syndrome and explains why it is no longer viewed as a disease of the navicular bone alone, but rather as a complex condition involving the entire navicular apparatus including the deep digital flexor tendon, navicular bursa, ligaments and surrounding soft tissues within the foot.
Marc breaks down the anatomy and biomechanics of the navicular region in a practical and easy to understand format before discussing how poor hoof balance, conformation, workload and management can contribute to degeneration and chronic pain within the caudal foot.
Throughout the episode listeners will gain a detailed understanding of:
The anatomy and function of the navicular bone and surrounding structures
The early warning signs and clinical presentation of navicular syndrome
How biomechanics and hoof conformation influence disease progression
The role of long toes, underrun heels and poor breakover
The pathogenesis of navicular related degeneration
Nutritional and dietary considerations for hoof health and inflammation
Modern veterinary diagnostics including MRI and diagnostic nerve blocks
Veterinary treatment options including medications, regenerative therapies and surgery
Static and dynamic gait assessment of horses with navicular pain
Therapeutic farriery approaches including trimming strategies and corrective shoeing
The use of raised heels, egg bar shoes, Memphis bar shoes, pads and wedge systems
Barefoot rehabilitation and the use of hoof boots in selected cases
Long term management, prognosis and quality of life considerations
This episode is designed for farriers, veterinary professionals, equine students and horse owners wanting a clearer understanding of one of the most important conditions affecting equine soundness and performance.
Thank you for following this podcast series and supporting The Hoofcare Companion throughout its educational journey. We hope these episodes have helped expand your knowledge, improve your practical understanding and encourage continued discussion surrounding evidence based hoof care and farriery.
If you have enjoyed the series, please follow, rate and share the podcast to help support future educational content.
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 episode, we explore one of the most important yet often overlooked structures in the equine hoof — the frog.
From its role in shock absorption and circulation to its importance as a diagnostic reference point in farriery, this episode breaks down everything you need to know in a clear and practical way.
We also explore common frog pathologies, how they develop, and most importantly how to treat and prevent them effectively in real-world farriery practice.
📚 What You’ll Learn
 The anatomy and structure of the frog 
 The function of the frog in movement, circulation, and stability 
 Why the frog is critical for hoof balance and assessment 
 Best practices for correct frog trimming 
 How hoof conformation influences frog development 
⚠️ Conditions Covered
We break down the key frog pathologies every farrier and equine professional should understand:
Thrush – causes, treatment, and prevention 
Canker – recognising and managing this aggressive condition 
Sheared Heels – how imbalance affects the frog 
Frog Atrophy – why it happens and how to reverse it 
Puncture Wounds – risks, complications, and treatment approaches 
🛠️ Practical Takeaways
 How to approach frog trimming without compromising function 
 Proven treatment strategies used in modern farriery 
 Environmental and management changes that make a real difference 
 When to involve veterinary support 
 How to use the frog as a guide for balance and internal hoof structures 
🎧 Who This Episode Is For
 Farriers (students to experienced professionals) 
 Equine vets and vet nurses 
 Horse owners wanting a deeper understanding of hoof health 
 Anyone interested in improving equine soundness and performance 
💡 Key Message
The frog is not just passive tissue, it is a dynamic, functional structure that reflects the overall health of the hoof. Understanding it properly can transform how you approach trimming, shoeing, and rehabilitation.
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

Hoof boots are transforming modern farriery—but are you using them correctly?
In this episode of The Hoofcare Companion, host Marc Jerram breaks down everything you need to know about hoof boots, from their historical origins to their role in performance, barefoot management, and rehabilitation.
Whether you're a farrier, vet, or horse owner, this episode will help you understand when, why, and how to use hoof boots effectively—and avoid the common mistakes that lead to poor outcomes.
🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
 The evolution of hoof protection from ancient methods to modern boots 
 The key differences between hoof boots and traditional shoeing 
 Why hoof boots are essential for barefoot horses 
 How to assess the hoof correctly before fitting 
 The pros and cons of leading hoof boot brands 
 How hoof boots support rehabilitation and laminitis cases 
 Common fitting mistakes and how to avoid them 
🐎 Brands & Products Mentioned
Scoot Boots
 Flex Boots
 Equine Fusion
 Cavallo
 Renegade Hoof Boots
 Pioneer Sport
 EasyCare / Easyboot range
⚙️ Who This Episode Is For
 Farriers looking to expand their skillset 
 Veterinary professionals involved in hoof care 
 Horse owners transitioning to barefoot 
 Riders wanting better performance and hoof protection 
 Anyone interested in modern, evidence-based hoof care
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

Interference injuries are more than just knocks and cuts, they’re often a sign of deeper biomechanical inefficiencies within the horse. In this episode of The Hoofcare Companion, Marc Jerram takes a detailed look at the causes, types, and farriery strategies used to manage interference.
From forging and overreach to brushing and toe drag, we break down how and why these injuries occur, and most importantly, how farriers can assess and address them through effective trimming and shoeing techniques.
Whether you're a practicing farrier, apprentice, or equine professional, this episode provides practical insights into improving movement, reducing injury, and enhancing overall performance.
🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
 What interference injuries really indicate about a horse’s movement 
 The key differences between overreach, forging, and brushing 
 How conformation influences limb flight and injury risk 
 The importance of static vs dynamic assessment 
 How breakover timing affects interference 
 The role of radiography in diagnosing imbalance 
 Practical trimming strategies to improve hoof balance 
 Shoeing techniques including:  Safed off shoes 
 Rolled and square toe designs 
 Trailer shoes and asymmetric shoeing 
 Use of studs, pins, and traction devices 

🐎 Key Takeaways
Interference is rarely random, it’s usually the result of imbalance, poor timing, or conformational predisposition. By focusing on accurate assessment and targeted farriery, you can significantly reduce injury risk and improve locomotor efficiency.
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 episode, we explore the precision of shoeing the dressage horse, from Intro level through to Grand Prix.
Learn how different movements influence hoof loading, how to assess the horse both statically and dynamically, and how shoeing strategies adapt to surfaces, conformation, and performance demands.
We cover trimming principles, shoe selection, barefoot management, and the importance of working alongside vets and physiotherapists to support long-term soundness.
A practical, evidence-based guide for farriers working with the modern dressage athlete.
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