Arrowhead Professional Horseshoeing LLC

04/03/2026

12/04/2025

THE COLD WEATHER IS UPON US! ❄️

Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice; good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal, and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

11/20/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AQ7e1GAX9/

11/20/2025

❗️𝐄𝐇𝐕 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 — 𝐍𝐅𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐒/𝐕𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐒 / 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐋❗️

NEW ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR NEVADA

Effective 11/19/2025

All horses entering the state of Nevada from any location must have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and obtain an entry permit number from the Nevada Department of Agriculture within seven (7) days of arrival. This requirement is in effect for all horses through December 31, 2025.

*** The entry permit is obtained by your veterinarian and listed on your CVI by your veterinarian

Arizona & Nevada have added the 21 day rule ANY horses that have been on the premises listed below, will not be allowed entry into Arizona or Nevada for the 21 days following exposure, not 21 days from today EVEN if horses are non-symptomatic.

These restrictions have been confirmed directly via phone conversations with Arizona and Nevada
"Departments of Agriculture"

Current Locations as of 11-20-2025 (Subject to Change) :
Extraco Events Center (Waco, TX)
377 Arena (Stephenville, TX)
Lazy E Arena (Guthrie, OK)
Jackson County (Edna, TX)

The vet has to write and attest the horse has not been on a premises with an EHV positive for the 21 days leading up to the health cert date. Not 21 days from today.

Dr. Sharp just spoke with NV Dept of Ag.

11/19/2025

🚨 EHV-1 Precautions for Farriers Traveling Barn to Barn 🚨

With the recent EHV-1 outbreak in North Texas, this is a good time for farriers to tighten up simple biosecurity steps to protect the horses—and barns—we all work so hard to keep healthy.

🔎 What to Know About EHV-1

EHV-1 (Equine Herpesvirus-1) spreads primarily through nasal secretions, coughing, snorting, shared water, and contaminated surfaces or clothing.

The incubation period is typically 2–10 days, meaning a horse can appear normal while still shedding the virus.

Most common signs include fever, nasal discharge, lethargy, and in some cases neurologic signs.

The virus can survive on surfaces (including tools, clothing, and equipment) long enough to travel barn-to-barn if precautions aren’t taken.

🛠 Helpful Steps for Farriers These are easy, practical ways to reduce risk:

Disinfect Tools Between Barns
Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher) works great for wiping down nippers, rasps, knives, and other tools.

Change Shirts/Hats Between Barns
EHV-1 is mostly shed in nasal secretions, but clothing can still act as a mechanical carrier. A simple shirt change reduces that risk significantly.

Talk With Clients About Exposure
A quick conversation goes a long way. If a barn is having active cases or known exposure, it may be safer to reschedule the appointment until things stabilize.

Avoid Shared Equipment
Don’t set your tools, bags, or shoeing box where horses may have slobbered or snorted.

Wash Hands or Use Hand Sanitizer
Especially after handling any horse’s face, halter, or nasal area.

📌 Why This Matters Farriers travel more barns in a day than almost anyone in the industry—and that makes them vital partners in stopping virus spread.
By making a few simple adjustments, the risk of transmitting EHV-1 between barns becomes extremely low.

Together, we can help keep horses safe and prevent further spread across North Texas.
Stay safe, stay sharp, and thank you to all the farriers doing their part. 🔨🐴💙

11/19/2025

Here are the questions discussed in the conversation on the live A and A: continue asking questions and we will answer throughout the day.

1. Should producers cancel this weekend?
- Answer: Yes, they should cancel.

2. How would you advise neighboring states to proceed with horse events?
- Answer: Less movement of horses will help resolve the outbreak faster.

3. Is BVH aware of cases outside of the Waco horses?
- Answer: Currently, only aware of cases in Waco, but expect potential spread.

4. Is this contagious to humans?
- Answer: No, it is not contagious to people.

5. Can someone who attended these races get a test at the clinic?
- Answer: Yes, they can screen horses and we will do trailer-side examinations.

6. How do you advise other disciplines to respond?
- Answer: Be discipline-specific, vaccinate, take temperatures, and practice good biosecurity.

7. Is there any risk that farriers could transmit this from barn to barn?
- Answer: Unlikely, as farriers are typically careful about infectious disease transmission.

8. How do people get vaccines without bringing their horse to the clinic?
- Answer: Vaccines require a veterinary exam, either at the clinic or on the farm, call and we can schedule this for you.

9. When do you suggest getting boosters?
- Answer: If the last vaccines were given more than 90 days ago, then as soon as possible to increase antibodies and slow virus spread.

10. What is your choice for disinfecting tech buckets, the barn, etc.?
- Answer: Avoid bleach, use accelerated hydrogen peroxide, phenols, or quaternary ammonia products. (rescue or companion)

11. How long will the virus last on surfaces if not disinfected?
- Answer: 2 days on dry surfaces, up to 2 weeks on wet surfaces.

12. Can horses have the virus without fever or nasal discharge?
- Answer: Yes, they can still be potentially contagious.

13. Can lysine or other products help prevent or build immunity?
- Answer: No, lysine and zinc have not been effective. Vaccines are the best prevention.

14. What is a normal horse temperature?
- Answer: 99 to 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on environmental conditions.

15. Is it okay to ride your horse at home if they were exposed but have no symptoms?
- Answer: Yes, but be smart about separating horses and avoid sharing tack.

16. If a horse had recent exposure in the last two days and is not vaccinated, should they be vaccinated now?
- Answer: Yes, vaccination can help reduce virus shedding and spread.

11/19/2025

The homepage of the Texas Animal Health Commission.

11/10/2025

Being able to pick out your horse's hooves does not mean he's ready to stand quietly for a farrier.

Learn the step-by-step way to teach your horse to stand calmly for the farrier ➡️ https://downunderhorsemanship.com/training-tip-teach-your-horse-to-be-confident-about-having-his-feet-handled/

07/08/2025

It’s National Farriers Week! Proper hoof care is essential to keeping horses healthy, comfortable, and performing at their best.

At the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, farrier Jason Maki plays a crucial role in supporting equine health through expert hoof maintenance. From routine trims to corrective care, his work helps prevent lameness and other serious issues.

Maki emphasizes that consistent, professional hoof care is key to a horse’s overall well-being — and should never be overlooked.

Follow this link to lean more about why it is important to see experienced farriers: https://ow.ly/ckGU50Whcog

06/26/2025