Farrier Notes on iPhone: Horse Hoof Notes, Shoeing Schedules & Technique Reference

Note-Taking for Farriers

Farriery combines craft skill with biomechanics knowledge. A working farrier is responsible for hoof care across a regular client roster, managing trimming and shoeing cycles across dozens of horses at different intervals. Each horse has specific hoof conformation, gaits, workload, and pathology history that inform trimming and shoeing decisions.

Nemos keeps that horse-specific and craft knowledge organized.

What Farriers Track

Horse-specific notes: - Hoof conformation observations per horse (flare patterns, white line condition, heel condition) - Ongoing pathology notes (laminitis history, navicular work, hoof cracks, white line disease) - Shoeing cycle notes (8 weeks for most horses, shorter for some pathology cases) - Shoe type notes per horse (plain shoe, egg bar, heart bar, pad application, therapeutic work)

Client and schedule: - Client contact notes and horse location - Appointment frequency and scheduling patterns - Communication preferences (text only, call for changes) - Payment notes

Forge and technique: - Steel type observations (hot shoeing vs. cold shoeing approach notes) - Fit adjustment techniques for specific hoof shapes - Lateral and medial balance notes for specific horses - Nail placement approach notes for difficult hooves

Continuing education: - AFA (American Farrier's Association) certification notes - Clinic and workshop takeaways (corrective and therapeutic shoeing techniques) - Veterinarian collaboration notes on specific pathology cases

Building a Hoof Health History

A horse's hooves change significantly over time. A Nemos note per horse, updated each appointment, builds a longitudinal health history that helps you identify gradual changes that might not be obvious appointment-to-appointment. This history also supports communication with veterinarians on lameness cases.

FAQ

What per-horse notes are most important? Pathology history and ongoing conditions, plus shoeing type and any therapeutic modifications. When a horse returns to you after a gap, this history prevents starting from scratch.

Should I note farriery technique decisions? For horses with complex hoof problems — corrective trimming approach, bar shoe configuration, wedge application reason — yes. These are clinical decisions worth documenting.

How do I track shoeing cycle compliance? A note per horse with last appointment date and recommended next interval. Combined with a simple reminder, this prevents horses from going overdue.

What technique notes help with the forge? Notes on how you adjusted your approach for specific hoof shapes — particularly for therapeutic cases — help you maintain consistency across a shoeing cycle.

Is Nemos useful for AFA certification study? Absolutely. Terminology, anatomy, and therapeutic shoeing principles are all study-note material. Running notes during clinics capture instructor knowledge that doesn't appear in any textbook.

How do I organize by client barn? Tags by barn name or client name, then sub-notes per horse. A barn-level note with access information, gate codes, and contact hierarchy is practically useful.

Related Reading

• Saddler Notes on iPhone
• Veterinarian Notes on iPhone
• Blacksmith Notes on iPhone
• Skilled Trades iPhone Workflow

Sources

• AFA (American Farrier's Association) certification content and standards
• Equine podiatry and therapeutic shoeing documentation
• Hoof care pathology reference documentation for working farriers