Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

In my opinion, it is important to balance the boney column when trimming/shoeing.  To do that the pastern axis needs to be on the same plane as the dorsal hoof wall.  The other thing I pay attention to is keeping the frogs touching the ground.  Doing this puts the heel at the correct height (unless the frog is atrophied and not healthy).  The last thing I do is to ensure there is no flaring of the hoof wall.  Flaring causes leveraging which can destroy a tight laminar connection between the hoof wall and the coffin bone.  And, of course medial lateral balance is crucial as well.

 

There is good evidence that an acute hoof wall (which creates a broken back pastern axis) will lead to navicular syndrome.  Certainly, if the boney column is out of alignment it will stress the ligaments that hold the bones together as well as the deep digital flexor tendon. 

 

Illustrations showing balanced and broken hoof/pastern axis can be found here:

 

http://www.equipodiatry.com/hoofangl.htm

 

More info can be found here:

 

http://www.naturalangle.com/feature/2002nov.html

 

More on correct trimming shoeing (same author):

 

http://www.xcodesign.com/aaep/displayArticles.cfm?ID=216

 

Dr. Bowker's recommendations for a healthy hoof:

 

http://cvm.msu.edu/news/press/phytrim.htm

 

Karen Standefer

kstandefer at centurytel dot net