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SPRING 2017 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
4
H E A LT H Y F OO T
H E A LT H Y HO R S E
The bones of the foot should be aligned
(figure 2)
and in general the front hoof wall
of the front feet should meet the ground at an
angle of 45-50 degrees, and 50-55 degrees
in the hindlimbs, although some breed
variation is to be expected. A boxy upright
foot will be prone to excessive forces of
concussion as it hits the ground and propels
the horse. This steep dorsal angle of the
hoof wall distorts the Hoof Pastern Axis and
is described as ‘broken forward’
(figure 3).
A long toe and low sloping hoof may
put excessive strain on the tendons and
ligaments, and navicular bone at the heel.
This shallow hoof wall angle and distorted
Hoof Pastern Axis is described as ‘broken
back’
(figure 4)
.
For the assessment of lateromedial foot
balance, the foot should be viewed from front
and behind and from above with the foot
elevated
(figure 5)
. The coronary band
should be horizontal with both heels an equal
height from the ground. This can be assessed
by eye, or the farrier may use a metal frame,
a little like a carpenter’s set square called a
‘T Bar’ to ensure everything is level.
When the horse moves, the inside and
outside of the foot should hit the ground
simultaneously; if unbalanced, overloading
of one side of the foot strains the ligaments
and joints of the foot and in turn, alters the
balance of the rest of the limb. The medio-
lateral foot shape should be symmetrical; if
one side of the hoof wall is steeper than the
other, the foot will drift inwards or outwards.
This imbalance will become self-perpetuating
as the hoof wall will tend to grow in the
direction of the imbalance, altering the
distribution of weight bearing forces passing
through the hoof and limb, putting excessive
stresses and strains on associated muscles,
joints and bones.
When trimming for good dorsopalmar foot
balance, the farrier should aim to have
one-third of the foot in front of the widest
part of the hoof and two-thirds behind to give
the horse the right amount of caudal support
and help keep the heels from collapsing or
becoming underrun. The frog angle also
gives an indication of how the pedal bone
lies within the hoof and the farrier should
trim the toe and heels to prevent it rotating
caudally (backwards) or cranially (forwards)
(figure 6)
.
The Equine Lameness Prevention Organisation
(ELPO) has developed a set of guidelines
for foot trimming to aid in correcting hoof
imbalance, and provides advice and support
on identifying and dealing with distorted
feet and trimming them to provide a
balanced foot.
Limb balance is essential for the good
athletic function of the horse, and those with
conformation problems will require careful
attention to their foot balance throughout
their lives to ensure optimum comfort and
performance.
Figure 2. Hindlimbs should meet the ground at
50-55 degrees
Figure 3. The 'broken forward' foot
Figure 4. The 'broken back' foot
Figure 5. The coronary band should be
horizontal
Figure 6. The frog angle indicates how the pedal
bone lies within the foot