A mineral with a high aluminium content (aluminium ore) that is the main source of metallic aluminium.

A horse's coat colour where the body is a reddish brown throughout (the shade may range from light to fairly dark), but the mane, tail and distal limbs are always black.

The ground facing edge of the hoof wall. Due to the concavity of the sole, it is the structure upon which the horse's entire weight is borne when standing on hard ground.

The length of the bearing edge from one angle of the wall to the other.

A conical structure on an anvil extending towards a pointed end. The top is always parallel to or level with the face of the anvil. The beck is used for turning a shoe.

Absorptive and soft matertial in a horse's stable which provides cushioning and absorbs moisture (urine) making it more comfortable for a horse to lie down. Most commonly used materials are straw (wheat, barley, linen etc.) wood and paper shavings.

A device with an airbag between two handles which emits a stream of air when squeezed; bellows were used to blow air into the forge fire. These days however, the stream of air is generally provided by an electric fan.

A conformational fault of the forelimbs visible from the front. The metacarpal bones (cannon bones) are offset to the lateral side: they do not follow the axis of the limb running through the radius, the limb axis runs through the medial part of the cannon and pastern region and the medial part of the hoof.

A natural compound found in many plants that is a precursor of vitamin A. It has a strong red-orange colour. Vitamin A is an essential vitamin, therefore the horse should always have access to a source of beta-carotene such as fresh grass, carrots or suitable supplements. 

Bevel: a surface or edge which slopes away from a horizontal or vertical surface. Usually seen on the outside of a shoe where a bevel is formed to continue the angle of the hoof wall. This can be used to enhance the whole hoof or a part of it.

Chamfer: A symmetrical sloping edge cut into a right angled corner or edge.

In farriery, the terms are often used interchangeably.