| Archive for It's About The Horse The Free Forum for those Doing Parelli - and a whole lot More! "Anything forced and misunderstood can never be beautiful." Xenophon (430-355 B.C.), |
| havingfun |
Back vs front hoof ?I have a question about why the hind feet are toughening up faster than the front feet. When Navonie was first barefoot her hind feet hardened and toughened up much faster than the front. I assumed it was because I booted the front when trail riding on rocks. A couple of months ago a trimmer took way too much off and I felt like I was starting from scratch. Her hind feet have toughen up and almost back to where they were. The front feet are still having issues with the frog peeling and only beginning to regain concavity. I have only recently took her out on the trail again so boots are not a factor this time around. Any thoughts out there?She is heavy on the forehand and a toe first stepper. I'm not sure it this would make a difference. |
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| appellativo |
Just the fact the horse has more weight on the front end is, I think, why. When you can eliminate the toe first landings through ideal trim and perhaps booting, you'll see a leap in sole depth/concavity. There are many factors that come into play. The best place I have seen it explained is the pete ramey vids, in my experience/opinion. | ||||||||||||
| Newfman |
Toe first landings are pretty destructive. When a horse lands heel first, they use the frog and digital cushion to activate hoof mechanism. This utilizes the blood in the hoof to act as a type of hydraulic cushion. I think of it as a descelerator. The hoof lands with considerable and abrupt downward force. Hoof mechanism quickly but smoothly descelerates the force. If you watched the movie Top Gun with Tom Cruise, it is like his jet using the arresting gear cable when landing on the aircraft carrier to go from about 120 miles per hour to zero, in about the length of your house.
You can also think about it like you running into a big stretched Bungie cord. It will slow you down and as it gets to it's limits, you wil stop. Now imagine that the arresting gear cable is rigid and had no give, or that instead of a bungie, you hit a length of strong rope. Both of these would cause forces that are capable of destructive forces. Chances are, if your horse has been doing this long, Navonie has already been doing some damage. This forces the horse to use the ligaments in the hoof to catch the impact and descelerate the impact. They weren't designed for that. It causes tearing at the connection points. I'm working with a 6 year old Paint right now that had the same thing. We took x-rays last week and found exactly what you would expect from a toe lander, Bone loss at the toes, ringbone, side bone, and navicular changes. We suspect that the navicular issue is what prompted the horse to start toe landing, and the rest is due to how the hoof strikes the ground. We are lucky, the changes are all very early, and I think this horse will turn around nicely. I reccomend some x-rays, 1 each/front foot: Lateromedial, Normal DP, 60 degree DPPD and if navicular changes or enlargening of the vascular channels are noted in the navicular bone, add a navicular Skyline view and possibly oblique views. You can post photos of the feet, and I could tell you how the conformation looks. I'm guessing the trimmer was taking the toe way back and dropping heels down a bit? I could bet my next check that your mare is long toed. Heavy on the forehand? Likely a timing issue. Too much toe=delayed breakover. The mare has to short a ride to keep the front in step with the hind. What is the age and history of your horse. Has she been shod, when and for how long? What has she been used for? What do you feed and what is her living situation like? Any and all of these can have some impact on this situation. The horse drives forward from the hind and lands and directs the coiled energy on the front. 60% of the horses static weight is on the forehand, and 40% is on the hind. This is why most bad stuff happens to the front feet and the hind feet tend to stay in good shape. Spins and rollbacks, sliding stops and the like can cause traumatic injuries to the hinds, but they tend to be above the hoof. Hope that helps. Dennis |
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| Kim Cassidy |
In what way? Toe first landings in what environment, on what terrain, at what gait? Can you cite sources please. ?
What mechanism? Please be as detailed as you can when explaining this. What if their genetic potential doesn't allow them to have a fibrous, firm digital cushion? The horses I see who have healthy functioning (may not look to some of you the speciment foot), feet barely have any movement at the ground level or at the DC area. Why because it is meant to be FIRM and STRONG and not allow descent.
Radiographs are also good for diagnostics and comparative analysis, therefore good advice to have them done. We agree.
Or the rider is not very good, or the saddle doesn't fit, or the horse was born with a downhill conformation or the rider is good but isn't advanced enough to ask for true collection. 60% of the horses static weight is on the forehand, and 40% is on the hind. Dennis[/quote] Can you cite your sources please? |
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| bit |
Um, I think he was spot on with the information he gave. I think we are pretty fortunate to have Newfman on this forum to answer questions and provide information. If you google it, approx. 65% of the horses weight is on the front end. Everything he stated was correct and accurate.
This stuff from the internet, but even I know this... When the foot lands toe-first, the pastern bones must change from an upward curve as the toe lands, to a downward curve when the foot becomes weight-bearing. When the foot lands heel-first, the pastern bones are already in a downward curve (full extension of the joints) and the curve doesn't have to change orientation when the foot becomes weight-bearing. Everything about the horse's hoof works better when the foot lands on the ground heel-first. The hoof capsule flexes in such a way that you get the best shock absorption, the best circulation, and balanced wear. The digital cushion is tough and the frog and heels are wide; they are able to protect the foot from amazing amounts of hard work. The horse's movement, when the front feet can land heel-first, is big and free -- some people describe it as "dressage-y." When the foot lands toe-first, none of these things work well. -- shock absorption is reduced, -- there is less circulation inside the hoof (due to flexing differently), -- the toe tends to pull forward so that the heels become contracted, -- the hoof wears unevenly. The horse's movement is short with the front legs "stabbing" the ground; the hind feet may forge (hit the front foot before it lifts off). In addition, the "wiggle" in the pastern bones puts incorrect stress on the impar ligament, which holds the navicular bone in position. The impar ligament gets inflamed from constant toe-first landing. This inflammation, in Bowker's and Ovnicek's opinion, can lead eventually to "navicular syndrome" and/or coffin-joint disease. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What balance does the foot need to land heel-first? In order to land heel-first, the hoof must have a correct toe-to-heel balance. The best proportion, in a front foot, is about 1/3 from breakover to widest part of the hoof, and 2/3 from the widest part to the heel buttress. In hooves that land toe-first, the toe section is typically longer (2/3) than the heel section (1/3). A hoof balanced for heel-first landing. The distance from the breakover line to the widest part of the hoof is shorter than the distance from the widest part to the heel buttresses. An imbalanced hoof with long heels (which moves the buttresses forward) and a flared toe (which moves the breakover forward). The"widest part" stays at about the same position. The distance from the breakover line to the widest part of the hoof is longer than the distance from the widest part to the heel buttresses. So, like Newfman said...thar aint nothin' good about a toe first landing. Nothin' funny about it either. |
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| misstux |
Years and years ago James Rooney did a study with (I think) cadaver hooves, set up a tendon and ligament system of sorts. Tons of damage with toe first landings. | ||||||||||||
| Mandy'sMarty |
I agree with Deb. I have no problem with Dennis' remarks and can appreciate his using the aircraft-carrier-arresting-gear-cable as a metaphor for the hoof mechanism. I believe his comments were made with good intentions and reflect sound thinking and assumptions.
Whether we like it or not, many of us do not have access to knowledgeable practitioners. A forum like this and the internet sometimes provide the only access to the knowledge we seek and therefore the best we have to work with. I am certainly no expert. I am a student of the horse and continue to learn. Mandy and I have learned the hard way the consequences of trusting a misinformed, trained practitioner who misread anatomy. Now I am fortunate enough to be able to meet with Pete Ramey every four weeks so that my mare receives the proper trim. If that makes me a Pete Ramey devotee, so be it. Fortunately Mandy is making a remarkable recovery. And I agree that there's nothing funny about a toe first landing. I fail to see the humor in that. |
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| Kim Cassidy |
How in the world do you know this? What footing, environment, gait and conformation dictates an ALWAYS heel first landing.
Which pastern(s) would that be? P1, P2 or P3 or do you mean all of them at the same time?
How do you know this? Some horses land heel first and have healthy feet, some horses land flat and have healthy feet. Where is it proven that all horses in all gaits must land heel first all the time.
What does this mean and do you have any video to show it? It seems many folk just repeat the talking points put out by Bowker, Strasser, Ramey, but don't completely understand what they are repeating. What science if any is behind the statements and/or experience to back it up.
At what gait, in what discipline, on what terrain?
Prove it and please use your own words when trying to describe how there is less circulation due to flexing differently. Which veins/arteries are shutdown during this phenomena, which part of the foot looses this circulation? Don't get me wrong an elongated toe that is left due to lack of understanding of proper biomechanics is not healthy. But I think running around obsessing on a heel first landing is not in the benefit of the horse. |
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| Kim Cassidy |
sorry, double post | ||||||||||||
| calatar |
My .02.
I have learned the hard way that you just can't believe everything you read. I have studied several different trim methods and don't think there is any one method that is the be all and end all. "The trick is not in knowing what to do, rather in knowing when to do it. Everything works sometimes, but nothing works every time. If something fails on even ONE horse, then it must be considered a tool, not a rule!" ~ Cindy Sullivan To this day there are soooo many unknowns regarding feet and when you start speaking in absolutes I think it is time to really evaluate things. A lot of the advice given by the "gurus" is anecdotal and not necessarily based on research. Pete Ramey has come along way since publishing Making Natural Hoofcare Work for You...few realize how inexperienced he was at the time of that book's publication...but I still don't think he or anyone else has all the answers. |
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| learningthedance |
Perhaps, if you disagree with all the "experts", you can site some of your sources that prove they are ALL wrong. Although, instead of hijacking this thread, maybe a new one can be started with the information you have that proves all these experts and "gurus" really have no clue as to what they are talking about. 
Please, do share, and give us something to sink our teeth into. |
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| Kim Cassidy |
Nope, not how it works Dance. I have not come on here and made blanket statements. ALL FEET SHOULD NOT LAND TOE FIRST. Nor did I come on and support anyone saying that.
I've come on and asked those who are so certain of their facts to cite sources and prove what they are saying. I don't feel my questions are rude or out of line, so I stand by them. |
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| Mandy'sMarty |
Regarding toe first landing and navicular issues:
Pete Ramey http://www.hoofrehab.com/NavicularSyndrome.htm Dr. James R. Rooney www.horseshoes.com/farrierssites/sites/rooney/ Rachel E. Drossman http://www.naturalhoofworks.com/d...s/The_Physiology_of_Navicular.doc |
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| AlythLong |
Ridingallday - You only have to use common sense. Watch a horse landing toe first (or try it with your feet!). There is BACKWARDS movement between the toe landing and the heel landing. This breaks the rhythm. This is an indicator that there is something wrong with the frog/digital cushion part of the hoof.
You may want absolute technical proof - you won't get it. Hoof study is in its infancy and there are quite a number of different schools of thought. They are different - there is not one right way and all the others are wrong. I would suggest you stop attacking any point of view that is different to your own. This is a friendly forum and we are all entitled to have different points of view. If your horses hooves land toe first and you are happy with that - so be it!!! Alyth |
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| Gillies_mom |
Re: heel first landing:
Quote from The Principles of Horseshoeing (P3) - Dr Doug Butler and Jacob Butler. Chapter 41: Foot structure and function, p615. 'The hoof changes shape when it strikes the ground. Each part of the hoof changes shape while under load. These minor hoof movements absorb shock and aid blood circulation. The heels strike the ground first, and the pastern sinks as the foot is loaded. The sinking of the pastern changes the shape of the hoof. The change at the coronary band is greater than at the ground. The hoof is pulled back as the heel bulbs and front of the hoof sink. The digital cushion is compressed against the frog as it meets the ground. The lateral cartilages are pushed out, moving the top of the hoof laterally. Feet that do not allow the frog to touch the ground move in at the heels as the foot is loaded.' When I was training we were told a horse should only have a toe first landing when walking backwards or uphill. (No references for this statement). Kate |
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| Newfman |
They are a handfull, aren't they?!?! 
I'm not going to battle this with you, as I don't care enough about you, personally. You are right, you don't have a pony in this race. So, maybe it is time to find another race? I'm partial to Mishra, Leach (1982) and van Heel et al EVJ (2004) 36 (  778-782
. . .and no, I'm not going to spoon feed it to you. I've grown quite bored of rattling sabres with you. At least Leah used to have intelligent things to add. G'day. . |
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| appellativo |
Taking a personal vendetta (for whatever reason, doubtful anyone else cares) and poisoning the rest of the the forum with it is not constructive. The tone of the posts alone are indicative of the intent. I hope Carol will put a stop to it. | ||||||||||||
| bit |
Let's get back to helping the person that asked for it. I hope she doesn't think that this kind of uglyness is typical of our forum. Please do post pics and rads if you get them. I learn every time someone helps their horse. | ||||||||||||
| PasoBaby_CarolU |
This was brought to my attention this morning. RAD has been sent a warning and asked to edit their posts in this thread that are offensive. |
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| Kim Cassidy |
I am not attacking anyone, I'm asking for people to provide sources for their statements. I have not said that I desire and insist all horses land toe first. I am asking on what terrain and at what gait do you all want heel first landings? How do we know that it is a must to every footfall and to overall hoof health? I work on a large variety of horses, with a variety of conformations in a variety of terrains in different environments across the U.S. Some land heel first, some land flat. Some when collected and trotting land toe first. Look at this video and research being done by Pat Reilly at New Bolton. Watch the footfalls of this horse http://www.youtube.com/user/reillyshoe#p/u/7/YogybMWvvnU I believe he has some data on a barefoot horse as well. Poke around Also with heel first landings are we talking about front feet or both front and hinds? I am not rattling sabers with anyone, I'm trying to find out what people know who are giving trimming advice over the internet. I am worried about what people are doing to their horses feet. Hoofcare is not in its infancy. It has been around as long as humans have been using horses for more than just food. |
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| calatar |
Interesting video for sure. I am one that likes to see both sides of the coin. If we can get past the emotions I think there is a lot to be learned on this thread. | ||||||||||||
| Newfman |
Pat and I had this conversation months ago. He has done very little in the pressure testing of barefoot horses.
I have been incontact with Professor Pollitt and am hoping to get the same kind of testing done on wild barfoot horses. Shod horse often land flat footed. Realize that shoes are not normal. Using a shod horse as an example of correctness, is incorrect. basing the idea of proper foot fall mechanics on a horse in the midst of a compensatory response is kind of ludicrous. In "good footed" barefoot horses, that I have observed, and that many well known Doctors and PHds have observed and tons of film has captured, heel first, particularly Lateral heel first landings are the proper hoof to ground contact at all gaits. It is proper from a physics stand point, engineering stand point, and anatomical standpoint.
You are correct. But, modern barefoot hoofcare is in it's infancy. Huge strides in understanding of the hoof have come from it, as well as some really bad practices. The shoe will become limited to supporting hooves for post surgical, post traumatic events and the like. Many will still use them for "traction" in certain events. But as a whole, I think the horse world is slowly going to recognize that the barefoot horse, properly maintained and cared for, is a far better approach to horse care. For hundreds of years, horses have been shod. If that is so great, then you would think that the percentage of lame horses would be way low. Yet: According to an article in the American Farriers Journal “Of the 122 million equines found around the world, no more than 10 percent are clinically sound. Some 10 percent (12.2 million) are clinically, completely and unusably lame. The remaining 80 percent (97.6 million) of these equines are somewhat lame . Reference: American Farriers Journal; Nov. 2000 v.26, #6, p.5 |
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| Kim Cassidy |
Yes I know, that is not where his interest lies.
I don't know what shod horses you are looking at, but I have two horses of my own, one shod, one bare. Shod horse lands heel first in the fronts AT THE WALK, sometimes at the trot depending if I'm walking up hill or down. Also depends on the terrain, firm, loose etc. I have a number of clients that are shod and they land heel first as do the barefoot ones (depending on their gaits, terrain). Some though land flat, barefoot and shod 
If you watch the video link I shared you will see it would be nigh on impossible for that horse to land heel first at that gait, with that rider with the head in that position. What about this horse? How can it land heel first in the front when it is using it's front limbs to pull itself forward? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgG_Gwy7Ysg Ravel (shod in the Epona's) watch how he moves and when he has heel first and when he doesn't. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-BNw0dtZzs Again, my point is statements about absolutes, the only absolute is there are none. We trim for balance based on a static moment, and hopefully we take the entire horse into consideration while doing so. We desire certain things in a hoof that means health. My complaint is that it does not fit one mold, nor one model that so many profess it must do. What is healthy in Newfoundland may not be what is healthy in New Mexico. What form is healthy in a wet environment may not be what we are used to seeing in an arid or rocky environment. There are certain forms we should look for and I think that is where a lot of confusion has come about. I routinely see on the internet examples of "health" that to my eye are not. Overworked frogs, over trimmed bars, or no hoofwall left. These things are touted as desirable and to the horse many times it is not. Obsessing on a heel first landing, when one should be obsessing on protecting the foot is what can lead many to trouble. Learn Anatomy, BioMechanics and the Physiology of the horse and understanding can start to happen. I think Dr. Bowker has provided us with some good research as has Dr. Pollitt but they are not the end all be all and their research, as is most research, is influenced by their belief systems. Lets take what they have shared and keep pushing for more information. Dr. Bowkers work is from a very limited pool of resources. We need to keep that in mind when utilizing what he has to say. I'm not saying dismiss it all, just keep all the points in mind (in vitro compared to in vivo). Why should one care how a wild Brumby's foot looks if they live in Georgia, or Virginia? The terrain, the living conditions, none of it is the same. Why should one emulate the trim of a mustang living in Nevada if one lives in Pennsylvania or New York? Those are my points. If you go watch some of the Mustang's out West you will see that they have imbalances, they don't all land heel first, they have chips, no concavity, etc. But they are sound and doing just fine without all kinds of trimming parameters. What I've found to be a common hoof feature amongst them is that they all have dry recessed frogs and a hoofwall that touches the ground long before the sole does. Some have vaulted soles and some don't (depends on the season, too). Why aren't we emulating the marsh wild horses? Flares, flat feet, underrun heels? Hmmmmm Anyway, Here is a Mule living in the driest of conditions, barefoot and sound (and ridden a lot). Does this fit into any of the trim du jours? 
I'm just asking people to question think for yourselves and understanding what you are repeating. Does that explain my thoughts any better? |
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| appellativo |
I know this isn't a scientific thing, but when I am trying to walk carefully, I put my toes first. if I've got pain or I'm being sneaky or whatever. But when I'm confident (mentally and physically) striding out, I land heel first. It would be an interesting study to discover under what cirumstances horses land which way and WHY.
When people say 'heel first landings are desired' I think the general consensus is that the horse is on the ground he lives on and at all three gaits. If a barefoot horse was housed in firm dirt and landed heel first as a normal course, then was moved to rocky ground and observed, I would expect to see a change in stride to compensate for the different substrate. If one then desired to ride that horse on ground (rocky) different than his pasture, you'd want to do whatever you needed to do to ensure the horse landed heel first (as he does in his pasture). When a horse lands toe first, there is a 'snapping' motion in the ligaments inside the leg which do not allow the innards of the leg/hoof to act in the way they were designed, causing an undue wear and thus degradation of certain inner parts (navicular bone being one of them). It's been a while since we did this study/dissection in a clinic I went to, but I trust the references given above should point anyone looking for more specifics in the right direction. |
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| appellativo |
ok so I got to clicking. And I didn't think this would happen, but I stumbled upon a video that is getting me considering how landing on different parts of the foot can cause different effects. Although this particular video is pertaining to humans, (and obviously a human foot is designed differently than a horse's) it can cause one to think about how a horse might need to land to avoid a 'spike' in impact, and to rather land in such a way as to cause a 'rotational' impact. Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jrnj-7YKZE&feature=related |
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| barnelda |
I know I'm just learning but this doesn't look like a healthy hoof to me.Looks too dried out and landing sole first(in front of frog).So what am I looking at wrong? |
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| appellativo |
I will admit that looks weird to me. Whether or not it actually IS weird, or whether my eye knows less than nature, is another issue.
It APPEARS to me as if that hoof has largely been WORN that way, not trimmed that way. What is the 'more information' on that hoof, ridingallday? |
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| Kim Cassidy |
It is a 15'1 hand mule 22ish or older. It is sound all all terrain, ridden 4 -5 days a week. Lives in a very arid environment.
He is trimmed on occasion by the owner. He is very cow hocked and the lateral view of that one foot looks bullnosed. But the point is he is sound and the foot just doesn't fit the specimen model. Also I think the heel structure in the oblique view (where I'm holding the leg off the ground and shooting sideways) really shows how strong this foot is. Look at how the mule wants a peripheral loading device. I ride behind and in front of him a few days a week and he never gimps on rocks, seeks the side of the trail, nothing. Just thought it was an interesting foot and thought others might find it so as well. |
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| Kim Cassidy |
Thank you for explaining yourself further. I just don't see how when doing certain jobs a horse can land heel first. If I were sprinting as fast as I tilt my body slight forward and dig in with my toes. If I'm climbing a steep hill, I don't try to use my heels. If I'm all pumped up and prancing I land on my toes. I think the same goes for the horses (in a slightly different manner). I see many many over trimmed barefoot horses doing everything they can to land heel first to take weight off the distal (tip) of the coffin bone. Clarissa's horse must have a very exaggerated heel first landing. Hence why I'd like to see video. I'm not saying this to pick on her, I'm speaking from past experience. From when I over trimmed feet because I did not understand what was really going on. In my experience when trimming we need to be able to read the foot very carefully and understand what constitutes a healthy trim for that foot, that horse in THEIR environment. The horse dictates what we are to do, no the other way around. Or, IOW, go to people for opinions and horses for answers. I realize we've gone way off the OP. If people would like to continue the heel first landing discussion we could start a new thread. Tom Stovall on horseshoes.com has some fascinating and accurate information on front and hind usage. You should read his stuff. |
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| whudson |
Interesting discussion. I found an article that talks about breakover and heel first landings in easy to understand language..with pics included...
http://www.barefoothorse.com/ |
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| appellativo |
If that mule is ridden in any amount of sand or any depth of dirt, which would then 'fill in' his crevasses, his foot shape acutally does make a lot of sense. the flat terrain will usually help form a relatively flat hoof (solar surface will 'dip down lower' to try to find the ground) and the sandy, giving terrain (including gravel and rocks) will tend to produce a more concave/crevassy hoof since those bits of substrate will get in there, still providing contact with the ground.
I definitely will concede that the hoof will tell you what it wants and you just have to be sure you are not trying to make every hoof look the same. It reminds me of the part in the Pete video where he says to pay attention when you trim the bars, if they keep popping back up, maybe the horse needs them. None of us knows it all, but all of us wants to understand. I think that's why we get so passionate...trying to hang onto the information we THINK we do know, wanting it to be right, and thus thinking we have found our way! Sure there are some things we REALLY DO know, of course... Back on the subject of the OP, I would say again that the fronts differ from the hinds of course because of the different loading/weight bearing that goes on between the two sets. whudson, share the link! |
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| Newfman |
I have started a new thread to continue the present subject and let "Havingfun" have the thread back.
http://itsaboutthehorse.myfastforum.org/about4540.html |
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| appellativo |
I think everyone's getting along better now, but thanks for starting the new thread 
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| havingfun |
Wow, lot's has happened since I last checked. Don't worry about offending me. I work with children with severe cognitive and behavioral disabilities. There's not much that offends me. I listen and consider Internet advice with help of vet, etc. This source points me in directions I may not have considered with local sources of info. I don't take Internet advice without lots of research into validity. I appreciate all your replies and how they are stimulating my mind into thinking about this differently. This is where I learned about the Pete Ramey and Karen Rolfe DVDs. A little history on 16 year old Arab mare Navonie. Raised untouched on desert pasture for her first 4 years, someone popped a baby out of her, then immediately sold her. Someone put a few wild rides on her at 5 & 6, then I bought crazy mare because she liked me. Green on green, not ideal but it worked out. I suspect the heavy on the forehand came from me trying to slow her down for so many years. She was not shod until 6 when I got her and was kept shod until 14. She has been barefoot for the past 2 years. We have had a hard time finding a farrier that does not lame horses so I decided trimming her myself until I found a decent farrier was best. She did so well barefood with Renegade boots on her fronts for trail riding I have kept her barefoot. A few months ago I had a professional trimmer take over until, 3 months ago, he trimmed the entire foot flat making her tenderfooted for 2 weeks. She is still not where she was before that bad trim but well on her way. When shod she sometimes had issues with forging the hind feet, hitting under the front feet. She stumbled starting at 5 weeks due to how fast her feet grow. Shod every 6 weeks. When we had good farriers they made slight adjustments that fixed the problem. She has not had good, professional farrier care for about 3 years when our farrier moved. There was a series of bad ones for 1 year before I had the shoes pulled. She is ridden in arena or very rocky trails in the desert. She lives in a 20 x 40 outdoor stall with lots of neighbors separated by pipe fencing. She likes to be ridden on the trail, banging on the gate for me to hurry up to saddle up. She loves to trot and when she refuses I know something is very wrong. She just started to want to trot a lot again about 1 1/2 months ago. Her feed is approved by the vet, bermuda grass with a handful of alfalfa pellets with daily vitamins and free choice minerals specific for the area. She gets fat on air. I watched the Pete Ramey DVD's last year and like to think I understood half of it. They are awesome. I am in the process of rewatching. When I trimmed she did well with me just rounding the hoof wall once a week. She seemed to wear down naturally that way. The pro trimmer I tried took her heels down over three trims, causing increasing soreness. He has been fired, as described in a different thread. I am saying she lands toe first because of the wear of her hooves and boots. I will try to get current photos of the feet up. Sorry to say cannot afford rads. I work for the state which plans to cut our pay even more soon. I rather just assume there is damage, though not enough to lame her, will eventually if I don't fix it now. I have gone back to trimming once a week with just a little filing to roll the hoof wall, minor shortening of the bars when needed (they grow fast) and getting those darn flaps off her frogs. It so frustrates me she had rock hard, healthy frogs that he cut off. The back frogs are gorgeous again, though not as big as they were, which led to the original post. The front ones still look a mess with peeling. I will try to find the thread with pictures from a few months ago. It will give a general idea of her condition. She does have a very minor club foot on the front left. It's not obvious to my eye, but the good farriers did show me how the foot grew slightly different in the heel than the others. |
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| havingfun |
If the link works, it will show Dec 08 and Sept 09 pictures.
http://itsaboutthehorse.myfastforum.org/about2849.html |