Technological progress is now making its way into many fields, including veterinary medicine and animal health in general. The benefits of connected tools are being leveraged to monitor sport horses, track their performance, and ensure their well-being.
This is exemplified by Vladimir Bouša, a farrier who was part of the team for Czech eventing rider Miroslav Trunda during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Bouša uses the Metron Hoof software to optimally prepare the hooves of the athletic horses under his care for shoeing and maintenance.
Versatility in service of the athletic horse
To prepare for these Games during their French edition, the mare Shuterflyke was supported by a versatile team with diverse expertise. Her rider, Miroslav Trunda, brings dual qualifications as he is also a veterinarian. Partnering with Vladimir, the mare was in excellent hands for her athletic preparation.
The farriery aspect was carefully designed to ensure both the horse’s well-being and safety: “We assessed the type of track surface and also considered the use of steel or aluminum shoes. The choice was made for steel shoes, with which Shuterflyke successfully completed her second Olympic participation,” stated the Czech farrier.
Olympic preparation indeed requires months and years of work from every team member involved with the horse-rider duo. This collaborative effort integrates the perspectives of various specialists (veterinarians, osteopaths, farriers, etc.) to ensure the best possible athletic preparation.
Vladimir particularly enjoys focusing his farriery work on eventing horses, his favorite discipline. He stated:
“My work must be done at 100%, regardless of the horse’s performance. It’s not just about shoeing but also about preparation, and the farrier must focus on achieving the best possible outcome of their work. They should not be distracted or influenced by the type of horse they are working with.”
Communication for performance
Miroslav Trunda prepared three horses for the Paris 2024 Games. Vladimir emphasized the fundamental importance of effective communication and finding common ground when opinions differ, as the well-being of the sport horse remains the top priority in such preparations: “I collaborate with many veterinarians, but I’m closest to Miroslav Trunda, with whom I’ve worked for many years. He personally cares for his horses, and I visit him weekly—sometimes even more often.”
This long-term collaboration is crucial for the personalized care of each horse under the Czech rider’s management. According to the farrier, Miroslav Trunda’s dual role as both a rider and veterinarian is a significant advantage, allowing orthopedic issues to be resolved quickly.
The interval between shoeing is also adjusted depending on the competition season, with care taken not to shoe the horse just before an event. However, Vladimir noted that when circumstances require shoeing close to a competition, precision is paramount: there is no room for error. This underscores the dual importance of thorough preparation and effective communication among all members of the sport horse’s team. Understanding a horse’s unique characteristics—whether athletic, behavioral, or physical—enables swift and appropriate responses to problems.
Vladimir also highlighted the significance of observations and measurements of horses he follows for optimal monitoring during competition seasons: “It’s important to perceive the horse’s movements and work to improve them by adjusting the hooves and shoeing. This is especially crucial in eventing, where the horse is tested under vastly different conditions and demands within the same discipline.”
The Metron Hoof software for preparing the sport horse
As part of the Olympic preparation for Dr. Trunda’s horses, Vladimir used the Metron Hoof software. This tool allows for independent orthopedic monitoring of horses, whether it’s for shoeing, conducting assessments, or collaborating with the veterinarian from an orthopedic angle. In addition to measurements and analyses, a database of photos can also be created.
Regarding the use of this software in his work, the farrier stated: “The Metron is useful for verifying the work of both the farrier and the veterinarian. I often use it with radiographs to better guide the next adjustments. Thanks to the software and the tablet, I always have the photos with me and can use them to check my own work at any time. It is also possible to compare hoof photos with the radiographs. It’s a really useful tool for working with top-level horses. With the Metron software, you feel a certain level of control, knowing that you haven’t missed anything.”
Both the farrier and the veterinarian can collaborate using a single tool: the X-rays are combined with the measurements provided by this software. Technology is thus gradually becoming an ally for all members of the sport horse preparation team, both for performance and well-being. Vladimir also noted that the farrier must evolve with the shoeing process and “learn to follow the horse’s movement, its strides, the growth of the hooves, and adjust the shoeing according to the surface the horse will compete on.”
In a world where precision is increasingly important and where the well-being of the horse is at the forefront, connected tools appear to be a good way to combine high-level sporting performance, good health and well-being.
Reaching the highest level: Advice for young farriers
A labor of love, farriery attracts those who have a genuine passion for horses, equestrianism, sports, and orthopedics. Whether from childhood as a rider or amateur breeder, or through a career change, many find farriery to be a practice that is both technical and rewarding.
Vladimir Bouša, farrier at the Paris 2024 Olympics, shares his advice with young farriers who dream of applying their skills at the highest level:
“To reach a high level, you must work hard every day, from dusk till dawn. The work should not just be about making money, but also about learning. There are many sacrifices.
A supportive family, one that understands and is proud of your accomplishments, is essential for success. You must shoe thousands of horses before you can approach the best ones.
Without solid work in the past, you wouldn’t have the chance to work with these horses. You must keep learning and studying, because the farriery profession is constantly evolving, and the farrier must evolve with it. School gives you the basic foundations on which you must build. Every horse you shoe is an experience and a step forward in your craft.”
