A German term for the cavity in the shoe made by the stamp into which the head of the nail will be sunk.

The nail abcess is the result of a purulentinfection caused by injury to the sensitive structures of the hoof (the corium) through penetration with a nail (nail prick) or more likely by a nail bind. The pus in the foot causes pain and lameness which is relieved when the abcess is opened.

The bevel of the nail point is the slope that is present on one of the broad sides of the nail point. The point of the nail is guided away from the bevel and in the correct orientation guides the point of the nail away from the white line towards the outside of the hoof wall.

A nail which is driven in too close to the sensitive structures (but without actually penetrating them) can cause pain through indirect pressure, this is known as nail bind.

The hole in the hoof wall that is created (and filled) by the nail. In hooves with little growth, there may be several nail canals from previous shoeings in the lower third of the wall - this can seriously weaken the hoof wall and predispose to cracking and fraying of the wall.

The breakage of a nail within the hoof wall. It usually occurs at the heel nails especially with over expanding flat feet. It is often the cause of loose shoes and shoe loss.

The top-most portion of the nail including the flat surface which is struck with the hammer and the chamfered edge. The shape of the head is square or rectangular.

The hole in the shoe through which a nail is struck into the hoof wall. The hole has a ground side opening and a foot side opening.

The opening of the nail hole on the ground facing surface of the shoe. This opening is created by the stamp and is shaped to conform precisely to the dimensions of the nail head.

The opening of the nail hole on the foot facing side of the horseshoe.

The sum of the nail holes and their location relative to the outer edge of the shoe. If the holes are close to the outer edge this is known as fine holing. If the holes are further away the holing is said to be coarse.

The end of the nail which tapers to a point.

A penetrating injury of the sensitive structures of the hoof through a misplaced nail. This results in inflammation and possibly infection and can lead to the formation of a nail abcess.

Pincers with a specially shaped head with which nails can be individually pulled from fullered shoes.

A term used to refer to an old pritchel which is used to remove the remains of a broken nail from the nail channel in the hoof.

The shaft of the nail between the tapered neck and the bevel of the point. It is rectangular in cross-section and can vary in length.

Historical term. A blacksmith that was specialised in the manufacture of horseshoe nails. Now obsolete as this is all done by machine.

The process of attaching the horseshoe to the hoof using nails.

The Natural Balance Shoeing (NBS) system involves the use of a special shoe with a squared rocked toe that is attached as far back from the toe as is possible. The aim is to mimic the natural shape of hooves on feral horses; by bringing the breakover point further back and allowing the hoof to experience wear at the toe (which protrudes over the shoe) the joints and ligaments are reported to be subject to less stress and the hoof at the toe does not increase in length between shoeings.

A small bone which is located palmar/plantar to the distal interphalangeal joint (coffin joint) and acts as a pulley for the deep digital flexor tendon.

An inflammation of the navicular bone and/or associated structures  including the navicular bursa, the distal sesamoidean ligament, the deep digital flexor tendon directly beneath the navicualar bone and at its insertion. This disease can be of a very chronic nature and can lead to permanent or recurring lameness.

The tapered section of the nail between the head of the nail and the shaft or shank. The dimensions of the nail hole in the shoe should conform exactly to the dimensions of the neck of the nail so as to guarantee a close and firm fit.

Death of cells in an organ or tissue due to injury, disease or a failure of blood supply.

Vocalisation of the horse, associated with social communication. Generally performed with a raised head and a slighly opened mouth. Definitions of the neigh vary; it is generally considered to be similar to whinnying, but louder and more intense.

Neohipparion's distribution appears to have been limited to the "New World" - hence ist name (neo meaning new). It branched off from Hipparion about 16 to 5 mya and had a wither height of approx. 1 m.
It was three-toed and - based on fossil records - very common.

The uncontrolled growth of new, abnormal tissue. Commonly known as a tumor or as a cancerous growth. The growth can be benign (remains local and uninvasive) or malign (invasive and spreads to other tissue or organs). 

Bundles of nerve fibres (peripheral axons) surrounded by non-neuronal Schwann cells that transmit impulses throughout the body. Nerves are a part of the peripheral nervous system.

Nervous tissue is one of the four basic tissue types. It consists of cells that are capable of transmitting an impulse. Nervous tissue is found in the central and peripheral nervous system.

A surgical procedure involving the removal of a section of a peripheral nerve.

A tumor formed on the end of a peripheral nerve, most commonly as a complication at the stump of a nerve that has been partially removed (neurectomy). The neuroma may lead to hypersensitivity or pain of the affected region.

A type of white blood cell that is an important part of the innate immune system. It is known as a phagocytic cell as it can recognise and 'digest' invading pathogens (foreign micro-organisms). The cells can migrate out of the blood stream into surrounding tissue to combat infection.

A SI unit of force: 1 Newton = 1 kg · m/s²

^{This unit is used in biomechanical (locomotor) research, an active field of equine research.}

The front of the closed jaws of the pincers.

A tool used to shorten the hoof wall (bearing edge).

There are two types, nippers with two sharp jaws which meet perfectly, cutters with one sharp jaw which is overlapped by a blunt jaw, 

A tool with sharp convex jaws that are used to cut indentations in the hoof wall, e.g. for setting in clips.

Small pins made from steel alloyed with tungsten carbide that are extremely wear resistant. These pins are inserted into the horseshoes, generally at the end of the branches and sometimes (particularly on carriage and draft horses) also in the toe, to improve the traction of the shoe on hard ground.

A type of drug that is not a steroid that has antiinflammatory and analgesic action. 

 These drugs are commonly used in equine medicine in the treatement of both somatic pain (eg a joint pain leading to lameness) and for visceral pain (eg colic). There are several different classes of NSAID, with different mechanisms of action, and slightly different effects. 

A strong ligament running from the occipital protuberance at the base of the skull to the spinous process of the thoracic vertebrae in the region of the withers. From its ventral surface, broad fibrous lamina conect it to the dorsal spinous processes of the other cervical vertebrae. Caudally, it is continuous with the supraspinous ligament which connects the spinous processes along the spine to the sacrum.

The nuchal ligament enables the horse to carry its head with minimal muscular effort.

Food or food component that is considered to have a beneficial effect on the consumer's health. Definitions differ between countries. Nutraceuticals can be naturally occuring components of certain foods, which are often consumed in a concentrated medication-like form (e.g. as tablets, pills, or concentrated liquid). Examples are omega-3-fatty-acids or beta-carotenes. Nutraceuticals can also be whole foods, which are thought to have health benefits, e.g. certain herbs, garlic, chia seeds. Generally, nutraceuticals are consumed or fed to maintain good health, rather than to treat diseases.