[Fwd: Re: RC: Debate on rolled toes (long)]

[Jim Holland <lanconn@tds.net>]

I also read this article with interest.  Actually, there were two
different articles with somewhat conflicting opinions.  Being a
"two-week wonder farrier", I try to learn all I can from everyone, sort
it out best I can and then make what is hopefully an informed decision
as to what's best for my horse.

There is an interesting article in Equus this month ("Hooves Under
Pressure") which discusses loading of the foot and how the horse's limb
dissipates the force of impact.  It also discusses how foot physiology
relates to this with regard to the "natural" foot of a mustang. In
simple terms, it suggests that research indicates that the hoof angle
should be the same as the angle of the pastern and that the heel should
bear most of the weight of the foot.  The heel/frog should absorb most
of the impact...but impact is not absorbed by the digital cushion as was
previously thought.  In fact, the digital cushion has LESS pressure at
impact, contradicting previous studies.  The outward flex of the lateral
cartilage of the hoof wall at impact creates a vacuum, forcing blood
into the network of blood vessels in the lateral cartilage of the hoof
wall. Bottom line, impact is absorbed by FLUID (blood) ...not the hoof. 
This would lend some credence to the theory that if shoeing keeps the
foot from flexing, then it could possibly defeat the impact absorption
mechanism of the foot.  This article does not discuss the use of the toe
to "dig in and impel", but I suspect a horse would be able to "dig in
and impel", no matter what length toe he had.  The author believes that
"the horse was intended to carry most his weight on the rear portion of
the sole, not on his toes or hoof walls". Long toes, in his opinion, are
undesirable.

Well worth your time to track down this month's Equus and read the
article.

Jim and Sun of Dimanche

Kristi Schaaf wrote:
> 
> I have the Jan/Feb 2001 issue
> of the American Farriers Journal in hand, and I just
> read what I consider an interesting article, titled
> "Toe mechanics: taking away the toes hurts the horse
> more than it helps" by Randy Luikart, CJF. I've always
> been under the impression that a rolled or squared toe
> makes breakover easier, thus making miles of trotting
> not so tiring.
> (which we all know is so important in long distance
> riding!) But the article has me reevaluating this
> theory. Luikart's opinion is that a toe is needed for
> propulsion; he says "The hoof and shoe base combined
> with a proper toe length allows the deep digital
> flexor
> apparatus to provide the propulsion needed to move the
> horse's center of mass". In other words, horses use
> their toes to "dig in and propel" themselves.
> I see my farrier next week so will definitely ask him
> his opinion on all this (he's been telling me for
> years
> to quit relying on ALL the new "natural horse" fads. I
> thought he was just being old-fashioned and
> difficult!)
> Sorry to get so long-winded, but I thought this may be
> of interest to many endurance riders who are always
> dealing with hooves and shoeing (ranks right up there
> with saddle fit, doesn't it!)...of course, the article
> goes into much greater detail than I have on premature
> 
> breakover caused by rolled or square toes and why it
> isn't a good thing.
> Kristi
> 
> =====
> He's not just a horse,
> he's a little bit of
> heaven on earth.
> 
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-- 
Richard T. "Jim" Holland                 Phone:  (706) 258-2830
LANCONN, Inc.                            FAX:    (706) 632-1271
Three Creeks Farm			 INTERNET:  lanconn@tds.net
175 Hells Hollow Drive                   
Blue Ridge, GA 30513