Re: RC: Long toe, low heel

[Abby Bloxsom <goneriding@snet.net>]

> <<  should a person put shoes with wedges on horses like this. My farrier was
> against this because he said the wedges may keep the heels from coming back
> to the right angle. >>
>     The answer is "No".  

Okay, I guess I'll finally weigh in on this one:

My preferred solution to the underrun heel problem is to shoe full &
wide from the quarters back, with plenty of heel behind the foot ("put
the shoe where you want the foot to grow").  You can prevent losing the
front shoes by rockering the toe to allow an early breakover and
beveling edge of the hoof surface on the heel of the shoe (allows
hooves, roots, etc. to slip off if they catch there).  This shoe job has
to be redone on a 6 week schedule, religiously, and maintained for 6-12
months for the hoof horn to be replaced on the "new" model.  Usually,
after that point, the hoof can be trimmed to maintain a barefoot hoof.

-Abby B