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The unshod foal needs careful trimming to achieve balance – in the foot but also in the limb above. The shod horse needs regular inspection for thrush or foreign objects and trimming of the structures (wall, sole and frog) that now cannot wear down naturally \ Joe Collins

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The front of the hoof wall may need to be removed to drain an abscess or expose damaged laminae – the leaves that hold the hard outer hoof to the pedal bone beneath \ Joe Collins

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Radiographs are an invaluable technique to assess the position of the pedal bone within the hoof capsule – often disrupted in laminitis. But also to pinpoint gas or pus – an abscess showing black where all should be grey, under the white marker taped to the front hoof wall \ Joe Collins