Re: RC: tucking the butt

[Dave & Abby Bloxsom <cyclone@snet.net>]

> Actually, doesn't squaring/shortening hind toes lead to a faster
> breakover & increase the likelyhood of catching the front??? 

It's my understanding that while the squared/shortened toe gets the foot
off the ground sooner, it doesn't get it forward faster.  It does shave
a bit off the length of the leg, to give just that little bit of
clearance for the front foot.  Works okay for forging, (toe/toe) but if
the hoof is making contact with the bulbs of the front heel it probably
won't be enough all by itself.

The other thing I've been told the square toe does is ensure that
breakover occurs at the toe and therefore (hopefully) helps to control
the direction of flight of the foot.  In some horses who toe out behind
this can also (theoretically) help to let the horse place the hind foot
outside the front foot if he wants to.

If anyone knows any biomechanics stuff that refutes any of this that
I've been taught, I won't be offended.  This is only the school of
thought that I've been taught, and so far I trust the people who are
teaching me.

> It's
> typically the front toes that are too long, preventing the front foot
> from breaking over & getting out of the way.

Yes, and of course that's why the rocker helps on the front foot.  The
short toes and set-back shoes all around is supposed to foster more
natural action, improving the problem indirectly.  Note that I did NOT
say "long heels/short toes" or "increase the hoof angle" behind - those
add a whole different kind of strain to the horse.

-Abby


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