Justin Argent's Farrier Service

Rafter J farrier Services out of Lac La Biche, Alberta was a part of a recent rescue of a horse who was stuck in a sewage hole for 6 days. This is an incredible story worth sharing and recognizing those who were there to help! http://www.cbc.ca//digger-the-horse-survives-six-days-stuc

There is life after laminitis How to manage laminitis and the chances of recovery, from a farrier’s viewpoint... www.equestrianlife.com.au/art/There-is-life-af...ter-laminitis Photo credit: Andrew Bowe

They always want attention when you're completely preoccupied.

After nearly four decades of watching the devastating impact of laminitis on horses, equine surgeon Dr. David Wilson has developed a vaccine that has the potential to save the performance careers and lives of horses around the world.

Man, dog, and horse have always been inseparable pals. U.S. Coast Guardsman Joe Opalka, blacksmith at a horse and dog beach patrol station on the Pacific Coast, prepares to shoe an equine Coast Guard member, while a canine guardian holds fast the reins." Coast Guard Photo No. 1436

Wait for it! If your squeemish don't watch. Have a guess what this is? Video kindly donated by a fellow farrier and friend.

Equine Keratoma A keratoma is a type of benign tumor that grows between the hoof wall or sole of the horse and the coffin bone. Keratomas originate from the ke...ratin producing epidermal cells of the hoof wall. This is a space occupying mass that, because the mass is located within the epidermal lamellae, cause bone resorption of the third phalanx. Keratoma may be difficult to detect until the growth is well advanced and is apparent as a bulge in the hoof wall or thickening and displacement of the white line towards the center of the foot. Keratomas can occur in horses of any age, breed, or sex. The cause is unknown; however, trauma or chronic irritation are suspected causes. A large number of horses have a history of hoof abscesses. Intermittent or chronic, mild to severe lameness often develops due to the increased pressure below the hoof wall from the growing mass within the foot. Lameness increases with the size of the mass, as there is increasing pressure upon the sensitive laminae of the foot. Thorough cleansing of the sole may reveal an inward displacement of the white line in the area of the tumor. They can range in size anywhere from 0.5 cm to 2 cm in diameter. Diagnosis begins as with any lameness; diagnostic nerve blocking to localize the area from which the pain originates. Radiography demonstrates a radiolucent defect at the solar margin of the third phalanx. If the keratoma is at the coronet, ultrasonography can be useful. Sometimes the tumor is not readily apparent by either of these methods, and nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan) can reveal active bone remodeling. The treatment of choice is surgical removal of the keratoma and curettage of surrounding necrotic tissues. This can be done by localizing the position of the tumor and using a dremel to remove the hoof wall, exposing the mass. Only enough hoof wall is removed to allow tumor removal; this preserves stability of the hoof wall. A bar shoe with clips may further stabilize the hoof wall in selected cases. As with any surgical procedure, systemic antimicrobial drugs to reduce postoperative infections and NSAIDs to reduce pain and inflammation should be used. The foot will need to be bandaged to cover the sensitive tissues until new keratinized foot is present to cover them. The prognosis is generally good; however, it can take up to a year before regrowth of the hoof. If complete removal is not affected, the tumor and lameness can recur. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481

Six clip heart bar for a fractured coffin bone. The extra clips prevent the foot from expanding during the healing process.

Working out of my new trailer today

My office today

We made it to Ocala....Finally lol