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Shoes mask weaknesses, barefoot highlights strengths

Tuesday 20 April 2010

In suspension



This is a hoof comparison. The photos are taken 7 months apart.

First photo
Horse rarely stood with feet as a pair - one was always in advance of the other
Extensive stress rings/event lines had been rasped out - but still evidenced in the heel
The heel is in mid air suspension
It's hard to see in this photo but the heel is starting to run under
Coronary band has a deviation above the quarter
Lateral cartilage looks weak

Second photo
Feet are paired
Stress rings still in evidence but much less extreme and not rasped out
Heel is supporting the horse and in turn is supported by the ground
The heel is not running under
Cartilage is more robust
Whole hoof appears stronger

2 comments:

Wolfie said...

These comparison pictures are great. I am starting to recognize the good, the bad, and the ugly. :-) In your opinion, are contracted heels a main contributor to thrush?

Anja said...

I can never get over the changes of a foot after the removal of the shoes! You would swear they were from a different horse if you did not know better! Would be great to see a solar view of those feet! Thank you.

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