Hoof Balance
Article
Veterinarian Reviews the Barefoot Concept
One veterinarian outlines several common questions about the barefoot concept and shares her thoughts on each.
Photo by Photos.com
Article
Study: Barefoot Trimming Can Impact Hoof Conformation
A specific trimming technique increased the hoof's weight-bearing area and increased the heel angle.
Photo by The Horse Staff
Article
Look, Ma--No Shoes!
Study examines changes in toe angle and proximal hoof circumference without shoes.
Photo by Photos.com
Article
Veterinarian Reviews the Barefoot Concept
May 20, 2013
One veterinarian outlines several common questions about the barefoot concept and shares her thoughts on each.... Read More
Article
Study: Barefoot Trimming Can Impact Hoof Conformation
January 03, 2013
A specific trimming technique increased the hoof's weight-bearing area and increased the heel angle.... Read More
Article
Look, Ma--No Shoes!
December 13, 2012
Study examines changes in toe angle and proximal hoof circumference without shoes.... Read More
Article
Does Equine Hoof Shape Have an Effect on Soundness?
January 10, 2012
Certain hoof characteristics can be associated with chronic lameness, while others point to a sound horse.... Read More
Article
2012 International Hoof Care Summit Set for Jan. 31-Feb. 3
December 31, 2011
The summit will offer 68 hours of hoof care education focused around the theme "Zeroing in on Soundness."... Read More
Article
Therapeutic Shoeing Part 2: Hardware and Healing
November 01, 2011
We examine some common foot pathologies and therapy options... Read More
Article
Therapeutic Shoeing Part 1: Foot Fundamentals
September 01, 2011
Addressing the anatomy, conformation, and biomechanical principles of the equine foot.... Read More
Article
Finding a Farrier
March 01, 2011
Find the best farrier to take care of your horse's feet with these six tips for seeking out a horseshoer.... Read More
Article
Hoof Cracks, Wounds, and More Discussed at Farrier Session (AAEP 2010)
February 12, 2011
"No foot, no horse" is perhaps the most used and still the most true statement there is in horse care. A horse is generally worthless without functional feet, which is why the American Association of Equine Practitioners devoted a... Read More
Article
Low Heels in Horses: New Grading System and Targeted Treatment
November 05, 2010
A veterinarian created a grading system and treatment guidelines for low-heeled feet and treatment strategies.... Read More
Article
Laminitis Diagnosis and Treatment: Free Webinar Sept. 21
September 17, 2010
Laminitis: The very word strikes fear into the hearts of most horse people, particularly those who followed the ups and downs of such publicized cases as Barbaro's. The disease is clearly an emergency, but it's one that can often be overcome or minim... Read More
Article
Equine Foot Lameness Discussed by AAEP Veterinarians
March 05, 2010
Foot lameness in horses was the topic of two separate Table Topics during the 2009 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention in Las Vegas, Nev., in early December. About 100 veterinarians attended each session. A... Read More
Article
Horse Hoof Trimming Guidelines (AAEP 2009)
February 04, 2010
One of the biggest troubles with discussing horse hoof trimming and balance is that when it comes to hoof balance, there isn't a set definition. This makes it challenging for everyone to achieve a balanced foot. At the 2009 American Associa... Read More
Article
Exercise Causes Slight Hoof Changes, Researchers Report
December 12, 2009
About 30% of lameness in horses is associated with foot problems, yet little research focuses on the biomechanics and function of the equine hoof. Researchers recently found slight differences in horses' hooves following exercise.... Read More
Article
Contracted and Sheared Heels
November 01, 2009
A number of factors must fit together seamlessly in order for a horse to remain sound and healthy: His hooves must bear weight properly in order to stay sound, with multiple structures sharing the load. If there is too much stress on any one part, o... Read More
Article
Farriery and the Coffin Joint: Breakover Techniques, AAEP 2008
May 22, 2009
"Breakover (defined as the moment the heels lift off the ground) is very much affected by the surface the horse works on," began Hans Castelijns, DVM, Certified Farrier, of Cortona, Italy, during the "Putting Science into Farriery" session at th... Read More
Article
Hoof Trimming Intervals (Book Excerpt)
May 06, 2009
How often a horse needs trimming depends on many factors, particularly how fast his hooves grow. A shod horse usually needs trimming every four to ten weeks (depending on his growth rate), since there is no way for the hoof to wear naturally.... Read More
Article
Tendon Angle and Navicular Lameness (AAEP 2008)
March 15, 2009
Why might one horse suffer from injury to the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) in the navicular area while another doesn't? A recent study suggests that the angle of the DDFT as it passes over the navicular bone might have a lot to do with it.... Read More
Article
Readers Respond: Tip Toes
June 26, 2008
Almost 1,500 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "What management methods does your hoof care professional use?" <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=210 align=right... Read More
Article
Healthy Hooves, Inside and Out
March 01, 2008
Horse hooves aren't created equal, which can make it hard to understand the healthy foot's form and function.... Read More
Article
Healing Hooves With Self-Adjusting Palmar Angles (Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium)
May 01, 2007
When they are compromised due to disease processes such as laminitis, or poor internal hoof balance that leads to poor blood flow and overstressing of internal structures, putting the feet in comfortable alignment and applying massage helps them heal... Read More
Article
The Quest to Conquer Laminitis
May 01, 2007
"Owners and trainers worldwide have the feeling that every veterinarian and every farrier have years of experience and vast knowledge about laminitis and podiatry (foot care). Unfortunately, this is not the case," said Ric Redden, DVM, founder of... Read More
Article
Equine Podiatry: Underrun Heels and Egg Bar Shoes
April 14, 2007
One veterinarian describes the causes of and a traditional treatment method for underrun heels.... Read More
Article
Feet First: Farriery Topics from the 2006 AAEP Convention
April 01, 2007
The annual convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, held in San Antonio, Texas, in early December 2006, had three sessions devoted to foot care that were open to farriers. Following are synopses of some of those presentations... Read More
Article
Researchers Explain Short Shoeing Intervals
May 01, 2006
Farriers and veterinarians have said for years that shoeing intervals should be at most six to eight weeks, but why? Researchers from the Equine Performance Laboratory at Utrecht University (Netherlands) say it's because horses must compensate... Read More
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Farm Call: Your Questions Answered
Hoof Care for Toeing Out
Q. My 2-year-old filly has turned-out toes, which originate from her knees. She does not trip or paddle when moving. However, after trimming her feet, she walks on the outside of the hoof and rotates her weight to the inside. I would like to know if
Which Foot to Pad?
Q. Q. I just read your June “Ask the Vet” article about muscle toning and development (article #2775). It describes my horse exactly! Her left shoulder is more developed, and the right shoulder is farther forward and flat. Her left foot has a low heel and the right is slightly clubbed. Because of this, she has a hard time moving to the right, especially on 20-meter and
