Effective date: July 20, 2026
General educational information
Hoof Care 101 provides general information about horse hooves, hoof care, farriery and related horse-management topics. The information is intended to help horse owners understand common terms, notice changes and communicate more effectively with their farrier and veterinarian.
Website content cannot examine an individual horse, establish a diagnosis or determine the correct treatment, trim, shoe, medication, supplement or exercise plan for a particular case.
Not veterinary advice
Nothing on this website creates a veterinarian-client-patient relationship or replaces an in-person veterinary examination. Lameness and hoof problems can have multiple causes, and similar signs may require very different treatment. Contact a veterinarian for diagnosis, medication, pain management, radiographs, emergencies and medical treatment.
When to seek urgent help
Contact a veterinarian promptly for a horse that is unable or very reluctant to bear weight, has severe or worsening lameness, heavy bleeding, a puncture wound, marked swelling, fever, suspected laminitis, a suspected fracture or another rapidly developing problem. Do not force a severely lame horse to walk for the purpose of testing it.
Farrier services
Descriptions of farrier services are general. Recommendations and availability depend on the individual horse, its behaviour and handling, hoof condition, medical history, workload, environment, location and cooperation with a veterinarian when appropriate. Contacting Hoof Care 101 does not guarantee an appointment or that a particular service is suitable.
Products, treatments and supplements
References to products, home care, topical treatments or supplements are not guarantees of safety or effectiveness for every horse. Follow product labels and obtain professional guidance, particularly when tissue is painful, bleeding, deeply cracked, infected or failing to improve. Supplements should be considered in the context of the complete diet.
External sources and links
Hoof Care 101 may link to veterinary manuals, universities, research, videos, products and other websites for convenience. External content is controlled by its publisher and may change. A link does not necessarily mean that every statement, service or product on the external website is endorsed.
Accuracy and updates
Reasonable care is taken when preparing and reviewing content, but equine knowledge, products and professional recommendations continue to develop. No warranty is made that every page is complete, current or suitable for every situation. Review dates indicate when a page was last checked, not a guarantee that no later information exists.
Use of the website
You are responsible for decisions made for your horse and for obtaining appropriate hands-on professional care. Hoof Care 101 and Josh Emsley are not responsible for loss or injury resulting from relying on general website information instead of obtaining suitable veterinary or farrier assessment.
Questions
Questions about this disclaimer can be sent through the contact page.