Farrier Consultation

What The Term Interference Means Within the Equine Industry

By: Michael DeLeonardo Jr. CJF

 

There are generally ten interference terms that we use on a regular basis.

(Brief definition of  interference: is when a horse strikes its hoof against another of its own legs. )

 

1. Stumbling is interference with the ground. The horse may have a clumsy gait or may trip or stumble. The hoof may be long and need trimming.

2. Brushing is seen when the opposite hoof, from the shoe to the fetlock, on the medial side, interferes brushing up or down the pastern to the bottom of the hoof.

3. Interfering is interference is between opposite limbs. The shoe or the foot strikes the inside of the opposite leg anywhere from the foot to the knee or hock.  

4. Forging is interference between the toe of the hind shoe and the bottom of the front shoe on the same side. (Steel to steel)

5. Overreaching is interference between the toe hind shoe and the bulbs or heels of the front shoe on the same side.

6. Scalping is interference of the toe of the front foot and the coronary region of hind foot on the same side. High scalping (in the pastern area) is often called speedy-cutting.

7. Speedy-cutting is high-limb interference at speed. Usually the inside of the hind leg is “cut” by the front leg on the same side.

8. Knee-hitting also called knee-knocking, is interference between the inside of a front foot and the knee region of the opposite leg.

9. Elbow-hitting is interference between the shoe and elbow of the leg the shoe is on.

10. Cross-firing is interference between opposite (diagonals) front and hind.

 

Often times these terms are improperly used to mean something else. This will now arm you with the knowledge as to what the terms actually mean so that you can confirm with the farrier, trainer or veterinarian as to exactly what they may be referring to.

 

The reference material came from from the “The Principles of Horse Shoeing (P3)” by Dr. Doug Butler and Jacob Butler.