Veterinarian / Farrier

A farrier is very important. Just like a finger or toenail, a hoof is constantly growing. Just like our nails it needs room to grow. If you keep the same shoe on too long it will become too small and the hoof will not have room to grow. You must change the shoes every six to eight weeks. Some ponies can go without shoes, but most horses, especially riding horses, need them. The farrier makes house calls in a big truck (with a chimney).

A veterinarian is another very important person in a horse's life. A horse will see the vet not more than a few hours after birth.

A vet comes regularly for checkups although he or she will make emergency visits if a horse is sick or injured. If a horse is too sick to be treated in the barn, a vet may recommend that the horse be moved to a veterinary clinic. A horse is brought to the operating room in a sling and is put on a big table that can be raised or lowered.

Created on November 30, 1998.