Descriptive Documentation of the Annual Cycle of the Hoof
Growth and Natural Trimming in the NBC Semi-feral Herd

Laura Florence, Sue McDonnell, and Elkanah Grogan

University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

The semi-feral herd at New Bolton Center has been essentially free of lameness, particularly foot related lameness.  This makes them an interesting population for study of hoof health.  In July of 2003 a project was begun to monitor the hooves of the 66 ponies of the NBC semi-feral herd monthly for two consecutive years to characterize the patterns of hoof growth and natural trimming, including length and shape.  Data will be summarized according to age, gender, social status and corresponding locomotor patterns, seasonal variation in nutrition and substrate, and other factors.

Laura Florence is a retired artist who has been shoeing horses for 11 years.  She has been a resident farrier at New Bolton Center since 2000.  Laura’s interests include hoof pathology and therapeutic shoeing.  She has also been interested in hoof health of horses living under natural conditions.