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The hoof capsule protects the internal structures
and does not allow for any expansion through
a result of injury. Therefore creates significant
pain due to a build up of pressure.
Mechanically the foot has three main functions;
shock absorption, support and grip when
the limb is bearing weight. It also provides
propulsion when the limb leaves the ground.
The effect of abnormal conformation or
inappropriate foot trimming and farriery can
cause uneven loading, poor biomechanics
and result in an increased risk of injury to
structures in the foot and higher up the limb.
Routine farriery
Routine farriery is the trimming and shoeing of
the sound horse with a normal foot. This
should be done every 4 - 6 weeks. The aim
of trimming is to make the shape of the foot
and the angle of the hoof pastern axis as
near normal as possible.
The foot should be trimmed so that the pastern
and hoof axis form an unbroken line. The horse
should be examined at rest from the front, side
and behind the limb and foot. It should also
be watched walking on a firm level surface.
This should be done before and after trimming.
Trimming and shoeing must be modified for
each individual foot and each horse.
The shoe should be fitted to the foot and not
the foot fitted to the shoe. The branches of the
shoe should extend beyond the wall about
5mm at the heel and quarter to allow for foot
expansion and the heel of the shoe should
extend about 6mm beyond the heel of the hoof.
The shoe should be accurately centred on the
foot. Shoes can be applied hot or cold, but the
hot method is preferred as more accurate
shaping of the shoe can be carried out.
Remedial or corrective
trimming and shoeing
This is an important part of the treatment
of almost all lameness in horses. Gait
abnormality or a misaligned hoof (known
as poor foot balance) may not be the direct
cause of a problem but they will almost
always be contributing factors. If not
corrected the full benefit of other forms of
treatment may not be realised.
A skilful farrier can control the position of the
foot at rest and in flight. Each horse must be
considered individually in order to select the
type of shoe and trimming procedure that
should improve a faulty gait.
Faulty gaits in mature horses can rarely be
totally corrected but can be influenced by
the rider's ability and correct saddle fitting.
However appropriate remedial farriery will
help to modify and improve the gait and
allow a horse to achieve its full potential.
Most horses that have poor conformation
will require foot balancing at each trimming
as concussion and uneven weight bearing
can influence the rate of hoof wall growth
enough to create an imbalance. Correct
foot balancing and shoeing will reduce the
harmful effects of a faulty gait creating
abnormal weight bearing.
Success of remedial farriery requires a team
approach between vet and farrier. The vet
examining and diagnosing the cause of the
lameness, which may be in the upper limb
and advising the owner about the relevant
treatment. At the same time the vet should
also recognise the value of corrective farriery
as part of a multimodal approach to every
lameness problem.
The sequence of events often starts with the
owner recognising the horse is either lame
or not performing in its particular discipline
as well as it should be. The equine vet takes
the history of progressive events from the
owner. The horse is then clinically assessed at
rest and at various gaits on the circle, straight
line, soft and hard surfaces and where
possible ridden as well. Once an accurate
diagnosis of the cause of lameness has been
made (most often with the use of nerve blocks
and diagnostic imaging) the most appropriate
approach to treatment in combination with
remedial farriery can be applied.
REMED I AL FARR I ERY
Veterinary Surgeon
Lesley Barwise-Munro
XLEquine Practice
Alnorthumbria
Veterinary Group
Remedial Farriery:
Lesley Barwise-Munro,
Alnorthumbria
Veterinary Group
Jim Ferrie,
F.W.C.F
15
EQUINE MATTERS
What does it mean and how
can it benefit the horse?
The foot provides the connection between the horse and the ground.
The hoof capsule encases three bones, a series of ligaments and
tendons, two synovial structures, a digital cushion, cartilages of the
foot, blood vessels and nerves.
Lesley Barwise-Munro BSc BVM&S CertEP MRCVS,
Alnorthumbria Veterinary Group