Keep one step ahead

back HPA would have a steeper pastern angle

and can be seen in animals with long toes and

collapsed heels.

Both these abnormalities can predispose to injury

and associated lameness if uncorrected.

When viewed from in front, behind or above with

the foot elevated, the M-L balance can be assessed.

The M-L foot shape should normally be more or less

symmetrical, although many horses are not perfect.

M-L imbalance can result in the hoof wall and

coronet being higher on one side than the other, or

the quarter/toe wall growing out at a different angle

from the other side, causing the foot to ‘drift’ inwards

or outwards. Any M-L imbalance will become

self-perpetuating as the hoof wall will tend to grow in

the direction of the imbalance. The consequences of

M-L imbalance are an alteration in the distribution of

weight bearing forces passing through the foot and

limb, resulting in soft tissue injury and lameness

within the foot and further up the limb.

What is balance?

Balance is the state whereby the hoof wall, sole, frog

and bars are prepared so that an equilibrium exists

around the DIP joint (pedal joint), with a shoe placed

on the foot, providing maximum base of support

while still minimising stresses and leverages to the

lower limb, both statically and dynamically.

Identifying and correcting hoof

imbalance

We know that as the hoof grows and lengthens,

structures like the wall, bars, frog and sole are likely

to deform due to the mass of the horse that is

standing on them. This can be exacerbated by

conformational defects and environmental

situations i.e. weather and conditions under foot.

Under damp conditions, the horn tubules that make

up the hoof become soft and more pliable therefore

subject to greater distortions. Modern breed types

also contribute to the situation as solid strong

hooves do not seem to be at the top of the breeding

wish list.

For the most part, recognition of these distortions is

the most important aspect of modern hoof care,

without the ability to identify the distortions present

in the hoof they cannot be corrected. The challenge

is relating the outside of the hoof to the structures

inside i.e. P3/pedal bone. We cannot see inside the

hoof, without an x-ray, which is not practical to do on

every horse everyday!

In recent years a group called the Equine Lameness

Prevention Organisation (ELPO) and others have

developed an accurate method of mapping out the

under side of the hoof using 'landmarks' that remain

constant in relation to the position of P3/pedal bone

within the hoof. Their method of identifying and

dealing with hoof distortions has taken away the

guesswork in trimming and the positioning of a

shoe to optimise the hoof's performance. Armed

with this knowledge it is now possible to be much

more precise in 'balancing' the hoof, this can only

be of massive benefit to our equine athlete's

long-term soundness.

...Keep one step ahead