The HØØF Knowledge Hub has been created to provide practical, easy-to-understand information on hoof health and common hoof conditions.
As a farrier working in practice for over 30 years, I am fortunate to work with horses and horse owners every day. During that time, I have learned that many hoof problems can be improved, and sometimes prevented altogether, when owners understand what they are looking at and know when to seek help.
The aim of these articles is simple: to share useful knowledge in a clear and accessible way. Whether you are trying to understand thrush, hoof abscesses, canker, puncture wounds or general hoof care, I hope the information here helps you make informed decisions and gives you greater confidence in managing your horse's hoof health.
Paul Conroy BSc(hons) AWCF
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Recognising and preventing one of the hoof's most common bacterial infections.
Understanding and recognising equine canker
Recognising one of the hoof's rarest but most destructive diseases.
Understanding summer foot soreness
Why dry weather can cause soreness
Understanding Mallenders & Sallenders
Managing excess keratin before it becomes a problem.
Understanding subsolar penetrations
Knowing what to do when every minute matters.
Understanding the Nociceptive withdrawal reflex
The protective reflex that helps horses avoid injury.
Looking beyond the scabs to understand the condition.
Understanding the soft swelling that appears on the hock.
Understanding the equine stay apparatus
The remarkable system that allows horses to sleep standing up.
Understanding the Flehmen Response
Why horses curl their upper lip to understand the world around them.
Understand how weather, grazing and forage influence grass sugar levels.
Understanding hoof moisture & maintenance
Why consistency matters more than wet or dry conditions.
Understanding one of the most serious causes of sudden limb swelling.
Understanding equine cellulitis
A rapidly developing infection that should never be ignored.
Understanding why warming up matters
Preparing the horse's body for safe, effective exercise.
Recognising one of the most common causes of sudden lameness.
Understanding why splints develop and when they matter.
A practical guide to one of equine medicine's greatest mysteries.
Understanding how horses twitch their skin
Why horses twitch their skin—and what it tells us.
Understanding the reciprocal apparatus
How the horse's hindlimbs move with remarkable efficiency.
Why a muddy horse is often a perfectly happy horse.