Equine Podiatry/Farrier Service

Whether your horse is dealing with lameness, structural limb abnormalities, or just needs expert preventive care, UW Veterinary Care’s (UWVC) experienced team is here to help. We combine the medical knowledge of a veterinarian with the hands-on skill and capabilities of a farrier to get your horse back on its feet as quickly as possible.

When you visit UWVC, you are getting a dedicated team. From the moment your horse arrives, they are cared for by our staff veterinarian/farrier. Since the best results come from teamwork, we actively encourage your own veterinarian and farrier to come to the appointment so we can build a comprehensive recovery plan together. You may also see our veterinary students assisting, as we help train the next generation of equine specialists.

With our specialized standing surgery facilities and a full inventory of therapeutic shoeing supplies, we have everything needed to get your horse working at its best.

Conditions we treat

We integrate medical treatments with practical hoof care to help your horse recover from a wide variety of hoof issues, including, but not limited to:

• Laminitis: Painful inflammation within the hoof.
• Navicular Syndrome: Chronic heel and foot pain.
• White line disease and thrush: Common bacterial and fungal infections of the hoof.
• Hoof abscesses and puncture wounds: Painful infections or foreign objects trapped in the hoof.
• Quarter cracks: Structural cracks in the hoof wall.
• Canker and keratoma: Abnormal growths or masses within the hoof.
• Quitter: Chronic infections of the cartilage in the hoof.

Our services

To treat these conditions, we offer a wide range of advanced diagnostics, therapies, and shoeing options:

• Therapeutic shoeing: Crafting and applying specialized horseshoes tailored to treat your horse's specific injury or condition.
• Standing CT scan: Advanced, high-resolution 3D imaging of your horse's lower limbs and hooves while they are safely standing and sedated (no general anesthesia required).
• X-Rays (Radiographs): Detailed imaging to evaluate the bones inside your horse's hoof.
• Venograms: Special X-rays using contrast dye to view the blood flow and vessels inside the hoof.
• Casting: Using a protective fiberglass or plaster shell over a bandage to stabilize and protect the hoof or limb.
• Corrective care for foals: Using specialized shoes and procedures to correct leg and hoof alignment as a young horse grows.
• Regional limb perfusion: Delivering powerful antibiotics directly to the joints, bones, and soft tissues of the lower leg to fight deep infections.
• Standing foot surgery: If chronic hoof conditions infect the bone or soft tissue, we can perform surgery safely while your horse is standing.
• Tenotomy surgery: A surgical procedure that cuts the deep digital flexor tendon in the lower leg to relieve stress and pain caused by severe laminitis.

Staff Farriers

Martin Roche
With over 30 years of specialized experience and a lifelong commitment to the horse, Roche brings a global perspective to the UW Veterinary Care team. Originally from Ireland, he built a strong foundation through the Irish Pony Club and the Irish Horse Board, completing formal examinations in equitation and young horse management before relocating to the United States. After managing premier Thoroughbred breeding farms, he transitioned to farriery in Wisconsin, where his approach was shaped by mentorship under International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame inductee Dean Johanningmeier. Dedicated to continuous learning and collaboration, Roche regularly participates in advanced podiatry seminars, consults with leading veterinarians and farriers, and focuses clinically on complex lameness and hoof pathology. Outside the clinic, he enjoys the Wisconsin outdoors and spending time with his dogs.

Aaron Serstad
With over two decades of experience and a deep passion for equine health, Serstad brings extensive expertise to the UW Veterinary Care team. His hoof-care career began in 2004 after graduating from farrier school in Colorado, followed by years of apprenticeship with seasoned farriers to deepen his technical skill and anatomical knowledge. Committed to excellence and lifelong learning, he earned the Certified Journeyman Farrier (CJF) designation from the American Farrier’s Association, the profession’s highest certification. He founded the Wisconsin Farrier’s Association in 2018 and served four years as its president. Serstad joined UW Veterinary Care in 2025 as one of two staff farriers specializing in collaborative podiatry and performance shoeing. Based in Oxford, Wisconsin, he balances a demanding professional career with life on a family hobby farm with his wife and three children.
 

Ready to build a care plan for your horse?

We work hand-in-hand with you and your local care providers to ensure the absolute best results. Call (608) 263-6300 to learn more about our podiatry services or to schedule an appointment.