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Shoes mask weaknesses, barefoot highlights strengths

Monday 18 October 2010

Tripping

There are lots of reasons why a horse trips.  But a very common one is poor foot form. So let's use the foot from yesterday as an example -and provide the extra shots requested.

Compare this foot with the mustang foot
Note:
Heel in suspension
Coronary band distorted
Quarters need relieving
Very long/tall
Toe heavily rasped

Although this is a hind foot (and hinds have a slightly different shape), you can see how the relationship with the red rectangle are quite different to those of Fred's front.  From this view and for the purpose of comparing relationships the fact that one is a hind and the other a front doesn't matter too much.
Hoof does not appear balanced
Outer wall heavily rasped, inner wall can be seen at toe
Event lines
Deviation

Shoe slipped
Impinging on frog
Thrush
Contraction


Heel very high
Contracted
Thrushy
Lateral cartilages skinny and under developed

















































































Remember the owner has done her very best to seek professional advice for her horse and the farrier has done their best too, according to how they have been trained. The purpose of this blog is not to point fingers or criticise, but to try and illustrate good and bad examples of hoof form, so that we can all do a better job of caring for our horses in the future.

After all, the welfare of our horses comes first.

2 comments:

RuckusButt said...

A vary interesting case study indeed! Good for the owner to have not given up finding something that works. I'd love to see how this progresses! It's an incredible learning opportunity.

Greener Pastures--A City Girl Goes Country said...

I enjoyed your clear pictures. Great blog.

I was lucky enough to get turned on to barefoot trimming about two years ago and my horses are doing great. I even barrel race them. Except one. I couldn't transition him. We're moving to a place with better footing when my farm sells. I will try it again someday.

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