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The evolution of farriery
The modern horse we know today has evolved over
millions of years, surviving quite happily without human
intervention, with regards to hoof maintenance. In a natural
environment, horses graze varied terrain and so wear
away the excess hoof growth keeping the hoof at a
constant length and negating the need for intervention.
If the horn wasn't worn away in time with its growth, the
hoof would bend and distort under the horse's own body
weight. Not too much of a problem perhaps over a short
time, as long as normal activity levels returned and the
growth/wear equilibrium is restored.
Very few of our horses today have the privilege of self
maintaining their own hooves, hence the need for human
intervention. Additionally, more and more horses are
being bred for performance alone and the way in which
the modern equine is maintained and managed, means
that hoof care and ultimately their soundness is even
more important than ever.
Understanding hoof structure
The hoof is made up of many tiny tubes (called horn
tubules) that when packed together form a very strong
horny capsule around a similarly shaped bone inside
which is attached to the rest of the skeleton. The hoof
capsule is a perfectly adapted structure to support and
enable locomotion for the equine, however out of its
natural evolutionary habitat it can suffer.
Trimming and
shoeing for long
term
soundness
15 Foot care
Equine
foot care
A farrier
will make sure your horse’s hooves
are properly trimmed and balanced.
Above
- Hoof map prior to trimming.
Below
- Hoof map after trimming.