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Shoes mask weaknesses, barefoot highlights strengths

Thursday 19 August 2010

Ok for a bit of fun - Spot the difference; a hoof in transition

Recently deshod

 
Several months later

 

 

 
 
Quiz - for a bit of fun - I'll post answers in a few days

  1. How can you tell these pictures are of the same foot?
  2. Describe five differences in the hoof between the pictures (ignore the trimming)
  3. Are these differences for better or worse?  

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd say they are the same foot, because of the unique shape of the left side of the frog - the edge of it takes a turn towards the outside and that's still there in the second photo.

Some differences -

tighter white line in the toe area
bars are assuming a more horizontal angle
frog fissures (sulci?) are more open and less constricted
foot is somewhat more circular - less pointed
there seems to be a ridge developing at the back of the frog where it joins the heel.

I know almost nothing about horse feet, although I'm learning as much as I can. I'd say the changes are for the better - except I don't know about change 5, although it may be an artifact of lighting.

Wolfie said...

Wow, Kate. For someone who doesn't know much about horse's feet...you sure do, in my opinion!! :-)

I believe it’s the same foot because of the shape of the frog. As a newbie, this is what I think are different between the two:
- the absence of thrush (I believe) in the second picture
- the heel bulb more spread out in the second picture
-the bottom of the hoof seems a bit more concave in the second picture
- is there an abscess spot or bruise next to the frog on the right side?

IMHO, I think the second picture looks healthier than the first.

smazourek said...

Okay- I can tell it's the same foot because of the asymmetry of the frog and because of the pigmentation on the sole.

Differences: frog is wider at the heel and the point has grown closer to the toe, heel buttresses look like they've moved forward, white line looks more uniform all the way around, and the bars have moved out towards the quarters.

I'm hoping this is an improvement, my horses bars are starting to move the way this horse's have.

Val said...

Cool...a quiz!

1. pigmentation of the sole (same foot)
2. Five differences in second photo:
a. frog apex closer to the toe, frog larger in general, spread out like it is receiving ground contact
b. breakover has come back due to the shorter toe, toe is also rounder from quarter to quarter
c. deeper lateral grooves (coffin bone held a little higher in hoof capsule)
d. heels have decontracted and are more robust (looks like the back of the foot is getting use), heel bulbs flattened
e. some concavity has developed, which is most noticeable between the frog apex and the toe, also indicates a thicker sole
3. The changes I described are good!

RuckusButt said...

I’ll give it a go…I really am just starting to learn more about hooves so I’m looking forward to hearing your answers/corrections. I even had to google hoof anatomy when trying to respond to one of your earlier posts because I didn’t know what something was actually called!

You can tell it’s the same hoof because of the side your hand is on. Just kidding, I can’t really tell for sure, without seeing the particulars of the other hoof(s).

- frog is fuller, it’s plump and takes up more of the hoof (better)
- wall appears thinner in the ‘after’ photo but could be lighting (not sure, I would say worse)
- wall also appears less over-grown (better)
- bruising (or what I think is bruising) seems to be growing out (better)
- seems more concave after, again hard to tell with lighting (better)
- wall angle and bars are not as steep (not sure, I’d guess better because it looks like it would disperse force better)

Now I’ll read the other comments, I refrained until now. Can’t wait to see what other people thought and your response!

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