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Hoof testers are used to locate painful areas on the horses foot
It is a tool used by Farriers and Veterinarians alike and is much more specific than tapping round the hoof with a hammer
It helps to locate areas of bruising or puncture wounds and also to help in the first instance diagnosis of foot bone diseases or injuries
They are commonly used to help diagnose Laminitis, Navicular diseases or in the locating of Abscesses
To test the hoof simply place one end of the jaw onto the suspected area and the other on the outer hoof wall and exert pressure by closing the handles
The horses reaction to this is the indicator of pain or not.