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Hoof Balance

A good step to begin with when doing hoof trimming is identifying hoof balance. What is a balanced hoof? A balanced hoof is a ‘natural hoof’ or a hoof that is trimmed to replicate the form of a natural hoof. What is a natural hoof? This is the hoof that you usually see on wild horses. These horses tend to have balanced hooves as they have a free roaming life style.

A balanced hoof has a hoof wall that supports not only the foot but also the entire body of the horse. The only part of the hoof that touches the ground is the ‘hoof wall’. In a balanced hoof, the frog area has the passive contact with the floor and the sole does not touch the floor.

 Hoof Balance

A good point to ponder is from Jaime Jackson sharing “A balanced hoof is one whose size, shape, and proportion correspond precisely to its own unique, natural conformation.”

A Balanced Hoof:

  • With its relationship with the coffin bone, a balanced hoof can provide balance to your horse’s skeleton system.
  • It provides traction during the pull of the front hoof and push of the hind hoof.
  • It services as a shock absorber by expanding and contracting.
  • Pumps blood out of the foot when expanding and contracting.
  • Promotes proper stride break over.

What to Look For?

Look at the hoof wall from its side view (see figure 2), and see if the angle of growth of the front hairline is similar with the angle of growth with the tip of the toe. Think of the angle of growth as a line and no matter what the line’s angle is, it should be a straight line. If there are changes in that straight line or a different angle is created then it is an indication that something not right is taking place.

Potential Indicators of Hoof Imbalance

1. Bruise or soreness around the toe wall – Any soreness or redness around the toe should tell you that something is wrong. There are other factors that can cause this problem, but for now consider hoof imbalance as the main factor. This is often just a minor issue that can be cured using regular hoof care and hoof balance methods so do not go into major methods right away such as shoes or invasive trimming methods.

4. Unnatural Hoof Wall Wear Patterns – Generally, a naturally balanced hoof will possess 3 or 4 points of positive contact with the floor. Two of these points in contact are located at the heal buttresses and the rest of the points in contact will be at or close to the toe. These points of contact are the most active when it comes to growth. As these points get the most floor contact, they wear faster yet grows faster compared to areas that only have passive ground contact.

3. Growth Lines’ Deviation – The Hoof Wall’s Growth Lines Need to Be Perpendicular to the Floor.  Any deviation of the growth lines is an indication of hoof imbalance or abnormal growth. The deviation can be a result from improper trimming or shoeing methods and unnatural wearing conditions.

2. Elevated Heel – The horse’s heel is directly proportional with the angle of growth. Heels that are too high, incorrectly trimmed or on the shod horse will have a negative effect on the natural angle of growth of hooves. The heels need to be maintained short so the frog will have passive contact with the ground.

Frogs that are uneven and narrow tend to become rubbery and damp near the sole which is why frogs need to be kept flat and wide. The frog should only passively touch the ground and not have the full pressure against it. The frog is a sensitive area and it helps your horse know where on the ground its hooves are with just a minor contact. Properly trimming the heels will allow the frog to wear naturally and maintain the right sensitivity.

A good way to evaluate the horse’s balance is to observe how it moves on its own or without a rider. It is hard to clearly see the imbalance if someone is riding the horse especially if that someone is a novice and is the main cause of the struggle. A horse with a naturally balanced hoof will move naturally, freely and swiftly.

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Foal Hoof Care: When To Get Help

New Born Foals When to Trim?Many horse owners are curious about the right time for their foal’s first trim. Many believe that hoof care is necessary when the foal is a year old or is starting with its riding training. If you are concerned about the welfare of your foal then waiting a year is a big NO. As hooves get long, break or wear unevenly or not break and wear at all, they can potentially cause leg strain and deviation.

The more your foal matures the more difficult the corrections will be since as it matures, its bones continue to harden and joints formalize. ALL counteractive efforts and trimming to maintain the right shape and function of the leg should be done before your foal reaches a year old.

In fact, the first trim should be at your foul’s 3 to 4 weeks of age considering its legs are fairly normal and straight. If required, early corrections should be implemented to make big adjustments when it comes to correcting a deviated bone column. As majority of foals are born with several deviations, early corrections can help increase success of corrective trimming efforts.

The right hoof trimming can modify and improve minor deviations as well as maintain the right leg structure for foals born with averagely correct legs and hooves. Conversely, neglecting proper trimming can increase deviations to foals with only minor leg deviations and even to foals born with correctly structured legs.

Foals that are born with major leg and hoof deviations will take more than early hoof trimming methods for their deviations to subside. These foals may need surgery or attention from a veterinarian.

What to look for in a “normal” hoof

A freshly born foal will have front hooves that are fairly pointed. The pointy hooves on the front feet help in the positioning and delivery through the birth canal. In addition, they help rip off the placenta during delivery.

The pointed feet become useless after the foal is born. The pointed hoof prevents the foal from breaking directly over the front of the hoof. This complicates the flight path of the foal allowing it to become toed in (pigeon toed) or toed out (splay footed) (See Image Below). Neglecting this issue will allow further wear during break-over thus resulting to more deviations in the future.

Hoof Care Balance and Angles in Foal TrimmingThe ultimate aim of the first trim is to provide a straight break over point on the hoof. This technique will prevent any inward or outward deviation in the leg structure as well as movement pattern. This corrects and reduces additional deviation in the future. The proper first trim can supply a straight and simple break over point for the stride. This fixes minor deviations and provides a straight path for foals having already correct feet and legs needed for maintaining the right bone structure.

Trimming regularly every three to four weeks after the first trim will allow the solidification of the bony column in as correct and straight a line as possible. Remember to start the first trim earlier before your foal is a year old and practice the method throughout the life of your horse to improve its performance and function.

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How Often Should My Horse See the Farrier for Trimming?

FarrierTrimingHoof

All domestic horses require having complete, regular hoof care. Hooves that are unmaintained will result to unpleasant looking and unbalanced hooves which in turn affects the hoof’s internal workings, legs’ tendons and ligaments and mainly the horse’s movement.

So how often should your horse see the farrier for trimming?

It will depend on your horse’s activities as well as the type of riding you do. Generally, most horses should get trimming every eight weeks.

There are horses that require a more frequent farrier visit such as those used for competition. This is because horses used for competition require to have completely balanced feet to ensure they compete at their maximum capability. In addition, having your horse adequately trimmed can reduce risk of injury.

Unshod horses can require regular trimming depending on the surfaces they walk on. These horses can need to be trimmed about three to six weeks as the soft surfaces that these horses walk on do not cause any wear on their hoofs.

Horses that walk on abrasive surfaces wear their feet down more so they tend to need less frequent trimmings. Although this is the case, these horses still require regular trimming in order to maintain the right hoof shape.

The hoofs of ponies and hacks can be left a longer as these horses are ridden only a few times in a week and will have a wear chance that is close to their hoofs’ growth rate. Mostly, they only need some minor trims just to clean their hoofs’ ragged edges.

Horses having fewer activities and not used for riding should not be exempted from trimming. Horses that fall in this category such as brood mares and retired horses still have hoofs that continue to grow as well as have a wear rate that is very low. This is why these horses also require frequent farrier visits.

What To Look For In A Farrier?

To ensure the well being of both you and your horse, you need to choose a certified, professional and experienced farrier. A farrier is someone who is skilled is various hoof cares such as horse shoeing, blacksmithing as well as knowledgeable about the physiology and anatomy of horses’ legs and feet. An unskilled farrier can expose your horse to risk such as injury, lameness and damage which is why it is best you choose a certified farrier.

Certification and training

Certified farriers have acquired extensive trainings, completed standardized and veterinary related exams as well as proved they possess the needed skills required in the farrier profession. As there are no laws that farriers should first be certified, it is your duty to determine if your farrier is skilled and reliable.

Interviewing farriers

Here are a few essential questions you can ask your potential farriers:

1. Where have you studied, apprenticed or learned your skill?

2. Are you a member of the national farrier organization?

3. In which disciplines are you knowledgeable?

4. How do you handle an uncooperative and difficult horse?

5. Can you provide references?

Things To Know About Your Farrier:

1. Find out of your farrier is punctual.

2. Find out the reputation of the school the farrier got the certification from.

3. Know if the farrier is responsive or good in communication. Determine if the farrier can easily be reached, returns calls, keeps you updated about the work as well as shares essential information about your horse’s condition.

4. Determine if he handles his business transaction and clients professionally.

5. Determine if the farrier can work well with others such as your trainers, groomers, veterinarians and riders.

6. Find out if the farrier understands the athletic level and sport of your horse or knows the right care and shoe wear.

7. Know if the farrier is equipped with all the needed supplies for the tasks.