Re: RC: tucking the butt

[Tivers@aol.com]

In a message dated 4/27/99 5:28:58 PM Pacific Daylight Time, cyclone@snet.net 
writes:

<< 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.>>

You don't want the hind foot off the ground sooner--you want the front foot 
off the ground sooner. 
 
 >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.>

Amost every horse toes out behind. It's the natural state. Attempting to 
control the direction of flight of the hind foot leads to hock and stifle 
problems--much better to just get the front feet out of the way. Some horses 
are naturally passing gaited and other are naturally line gaited. Not much 
you can safely do about it--except put the front feet on wheels.
 
 >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.>

Same here. I spent my first five years in horseracing learning to shoe 
Standardbred trotters off themselves. Pain in the butt at 35 MPH.
 
 > 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 >>

I don't understand that last paragraph. However, adjustments in toe lengths 
and hoof angles are a less aggressive approach than trying to affect gait 
with shoe shapes.

ti


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