#Common Injuries That Farriers Sustain: What You Need to Know
Farriery is a physically demanding and highly skilled profession that involves the care and maintenance of horses' hooves. While it is a rewarding career for those passionate about equine health, it also comes with a high risk of injury. Understanding these common injuries can help farriers take preventive measures and ensure a safer working environment. This article touches on some of the more common injuries sustained as a farrier and how as horse owners we can make their job that bit safer.
1. Back Injuries
Causes
Farriers spend a significant amount of time bent over or squatting while trimming and shoeing horses' hooves. This prolonged and repetitive posture can strain the lower back muscles and lead to injuries such as muscle strains, herniated discs, and chronic back pain.
Prevention
Proper Lifting Techniques: Use proper lifting techniques, bend at the knees, and keep the back straight when handling heavy objects.
Regular Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Incorporate exercises that strengthen the core and back muscles into daily routines. This is something we are going to discuss in depth in our following article.
Ergonomic Tools: Utilise tools and equipment designed to reduce strain on the back such as hoof cradles.
As horse owners we want to ensure that the horse is kept calm and stands well for our the farrier - lick-its are great for this!
2. Hand and Wrist Injuries
Causes
The repetitive motions involved in trimming hooves and hammering nails can lead to hand and wrist injuries. Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and fractures from hammering mishaps are common.
Prevention
Ergonomic Tools: Use tools with ergonomic handles to reduce strain on the hands and wrists.
Maintain good posture - an example of this is too allow your joints to have full range of motion when working on the anvil and foot. We can discuss this the biomechanics of this in the upcoming article.
Regular Breaks: Take regular breaks to stretch and rest the hands and wrists.
3. Leg and Knee Injuries
Causes
Working in awkward positions and being on one's feet for long periods can cause knee and leg injuries. Common issues include knee strain, ligament injuries, and varicose veins.
Prevention
Supportive Footwear: Invest in supportive, non-slip footwear to reduce strain on the legs and knees. Don't be afraid to invest in specialist innersoles to help in similar ways to that of horses - if you put a heel wedge innersole in your shoes that will decrease tension in your Achilles tendon.
Regular Exercise: Strengthen the muscles around the knees through regular exercise to provide better support.
Horse owners, we can help decrease the risk of injury by providing a clean, level and slip-free zone for the farriers to work from.
4. Foot Injuries
Causes
Handling horses comes with the risk of being stepped on, which can lead to bruises, fractures, and other serious foot injuries.
Prevention
Steel-Toed Boots: Always wear steel-toed boots to protect feet from being crushed by a horse's hoof.
Awareness: Stay alert and aware of the horse's movements to avoid accidental stepping. This can be helped through adequate rest and drinking plenty of water.
Experienced handlers - horse owners need to be in control of the horses movements as much as what can be controlled.
5. Burns and Cuts
Causes
Farriers often work with hot shoes and sharp tools, which can lead to burns and cuts if not handled properly.
Prevention
Tool Maintenance: Keep tools sharp and in good condition to reduce the likelihood of accidents.
Handle wraps for hammers and other tools which this might apply.
6. Eye Injuries
Causes
Particles of dirt, hoof debris, and metal shavings from trimming and nailing can enter the eyes, causing irritation or serious injury.
Prevention
Safety Glasses: Always wear safety glasses or goggles to protect eyes from debris.
Clean Work Area: Keep the work area clean and free from loose particles that could cause injury. As horse owners we can help to provide a safe working. place.
Conclusion
While farriery is a profession with inherent risks, understanding common injuries and implementing preventive measures can significantly reduce the likelihood of these injuries. Farriers should prioritise their health and safety by using ergonomic tools, wearing protective gear, and maintaining proper techniques. Regular exercise and awareness are key to ensuring a long and healthy career in this demanding yet rewarding field.
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By staying informed and taking the necessary precautions, farriers can continue to provide essential care to horses while minimising the risk of injury to themselves and as horse owners we can also help to keep them safe through educating our horses, providing a safe environment and treating them as people.
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