Having a Baseline

One of the most important things we can do with our horses is know where we are starting from. Things sometime change quickly, but often the change is more subtle. Suddenly we realize something is different, but we don't know when it happened. The gradual shift catches us off guard until we notice something is off.

This is why it is good to take pictures. Document your horses feet, from the bottom, from the sides, and if you have x-rays, even better! Your farrier will probably thank you if you have recent ones on hand and they can get a glimpse of what's happening in side the hoof. 

We like to take photos of the feet at least 4 times a year with the season changes. Not a huge undertaking, but a good check in on where there are now vs where they have been. 

This is also a good time to get a picture of their body from all 4 angles in conformation shots. This is great for year over year comparisons. Where are they gaining or losing muscle? How has their weight changed? Do they have more of a crest than last year? Is their winter coat coming in thicker? 

This doesn't have to be a fancy app. Just snap the photos on your phone, and save them to a folder in your phone. Easy to share with your farrier or vet, and quick to find when you need to.