A Horseowner's Guide to Shoeing and Soundness
by Cherry Hill and Richard Klimesh, CJF, RJF

horse hoof care shoeing farrier shoe movement horseshoeing book

This collectible book is out of print but we have several brand new copies of the first edition hardcover that can be signed by both authors, Cherry Hill and Richard Klimesh.

If you want your book autographed, please indicate in the note section of your order. If you want the book personalized to you, please indicate that as well. If you don't indicate any autographing or inscription instructions, we will send you an unsigned book.

This is a great opportunity to add Maximum Hoof Power to your collection now, before all copies are gone.

Hardcover with dust jacket; 251 pages; 180 photos & drawings

"Maximum Hoof Power offers some of the best state-of-the-art information regarding general hoof care, methods of maximizing a horse's performance in certain sports, and corrective techniques for problems and deformities." - Quarter Horse Journal

"Klimesh, an accomplished farrier, knows that shoeing does far more than protect the horse's hoof -- it affects movement, performance, and soundness. In this book, Klimesh and wife Hill discuss everything from health and nutrition to farrier selection and hoof management. Good hoof care practices and shoeing techniques can promote your horse's lasting soundness -- and this book can help you understand both. " - Jessica Jahiel

"This excellent work is as well-organized as it is written and researched. This book is necessary for any dedicated equestrian who wants to increase his or her knowledge about one of the most vital aspects of horse care." - Horse Illustrated

Table of Contents

PART ONE: SHOEING DEMYSTIFIED

Chapter 1. Old Mares's Tales

Chapter 2. Your Questions Answered

Chapter 3. Foot Works

Directional Terms
Parts of the Hoof
Internal Parts of Equine Foot
External Parts of Equine Foot
Hoof Wall and Tubules
Sensitive and Insensitive Structures

Chapter 4. To Shoe or Not to Shoe

The Barefoot Horse
Short Term and Long Term Costs
The Bare Advantages
The Shoeing Edge
Evaluating Hoof Conformation
Purposes of Shoeing
Traction Guidelines
Traction Principles

Chapter 5. The Shoeing Process

How to Remove a Shoe
Reset or New?
Shoeing Quality Control Checklist
Hoof Preparation
Static VS Dynamic Balance
Toe-Heel Tubule Alignment
Dorsal-Palmar Balance
Medial-Lateral Balance
Length
Levelness
Sole
Frog
Shape
Symmetry of Hoof Pairs
Shoe Preparation
Selection
Fit
Hoof Expansion
Heel Support
Contact with the Wall
Sole Pressure
Nails
Heads
Placement
Pattern
Clinches
Details

Chapter 6. If the Shoe Fits

Other Shoe Materials
Shoe Types
Bar Shoes
Shoe Clues
Egg Bar Shoe
Types of Shoes and Devices that Affect Traction
Heart Bar Shoe
Full Support Shoe
Extended Heel Shoes
Wide Web Shoes
Treatment Plate
Contiguous Clip Shoe
Modified Toe Shoes
Pads
Types of Pads
Hoof Packing
Clips
Nails

PART TWO: MOVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Chapter 7. Freeze Frame

The Natural Gaits
The Phases of a Stride
Stride Length
Terms Associated with Movement

Chapter 8. Factors that Affect Movement and Performance

Conformation and Type
Making a Visual Assessment
Conformation Components
Other Factors That Affect Movement
Pain
Imbalance
Shoeing
Footing
Traction
Condition
Level of Fitness
Age
Stage of Development
Training
Tack

Chapter 9. Dealing with Gait Defects

Recognizing Defects
What is “Ideal” Movement?
Gait Defects
Defects in Travel
Forging
Interfering
Paddling

Chapter 10. Shoeing for Your Event

Dressage
Western Pleasure
Show Hunter
English Pleasure
Long Distance Horses
Reining
Cutting
Working Cow Horse
Speed Events
Roping
Polo
Jumping
Cross Country
Police
Parade
Winter Riding

Chapter 11. Common Problems

Neglect
Hoof Damage
Poor Hoof Quality
Poor Hoof Shape
Contracted Heels
Long Toe Low Heel
Underrun Heels
Navicular Syndrome
Wry Hoof
Sheared Heels
Cracks
Bruises, Corns, Abscesses
Hot Nail
Thrush
White Line Disease
Bowed Tendon
Arthritis
Coffin Bone Fracture
Laminitis
Club Foot
Mismatched Feet

PART THREE: TEAMWORK

Chapter 12. Training a Horse for Shoeing

Goals
Training Program
Horse’s Behavior During Shoeing
Reflexes
Learning
Shaping

Chapter 13. Foal Hoof Management

Growth Plates
Incorrect “Corrective” Trimming
Knee and Chest Conformation
Regular Farrier Care
Bone Development Problems

Chapter 14. Horsekeeping

Facilities
Barn SiteBarn Flooring
Bedding
Farrier Work Area
Sanitation
Moisture Control
Exercise
Nutrition
Daily Inspection Routine
Suggested Hoof Examination Routine

Chapter 15. The Lost Shoe Dilemma

Wet Environment
Hoof and Limb Conformation
Overdue Shoeing
Good Shoeing
Miscellaneous
First Aid for a Lost Shoe
Preventing Lost Shoes

Chapter 16. Teamwork

The Team
How to Find and Keep a Good Farrier
What Makes a Good Farrier
Finding a Good Farrier
Keeping the Good Farrier
The Work Area

APPENDIX

Further Reading
Videos
Farrier Publications
Farrier Organizations
Resource Guide

For more information on hoof care see Practical Guide to Lameness in Horses