Evaluating Hoof Health By Kristi Luehr, BC School of Natural Hoof Care For many horse owners, evaluating and trimming their horse’s hooves is a task left up to their farrier/ trimmer. But how do you know that the person that you have hired is doing a good job?
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ou have to be able to evaluate your horse’s hooves beyond the scope of how sound the horse moves. While soundness in the present is important, the horse’s long-term hoof health is also a major factor owners must consider. I see many cases where long-term, incorrect hoof shape or function has led to irreversible damage while the horse appeared sound until it was too late to correct. However, I also see a lot of horses that I am able to rehabilitate and return to use after a deformed hoof has broken down.
There are five key points horse owners can use to evaluate their horses’ hooves: • Heel Placement – The heels should be positioned at what we call the “baseline.” The baseline is an invisible line that runs across the back of the frog and collateral grooves and, in a welltrimmed hoof, also aligns with the heel’s rearmost surface. When heels are allowed to overgrow or migrate forward from this line, the balance of the hoof is distorted and excess stress and tension is placed on the horse’s joints, tendons and ligaments. Long or forward heels can also shorten stride length.
• Frog Integrity – When a horse moves forward, his natural stride should allow him to land heel first. If the heels are in the correct position as mentioned above, the heels and frog will contact the ground simultaneously. The frog’s primary function is to protect the digital cushion. The digital cushion lies underneath the hard calloused frog and is a large pad of fatty tissue. The digital cushion absorbs impact and dissipates energy. If the frog is infected with thrush or bacteria, or underdeveloped from long heels keeping it elevated and not touching the ground, this portion of the hoof’s function cannot be performed. Without the energy dissipation of a healthy frog and digital cushion, excess stress is placed on the horse’s joints. • Wall Connection – A well-connected hoof wall supports the coffin bone and allows the hoof to function as intended. The hoof wall grows downward from the coronet to the ground and should not flare or deviate in angle as it descends. A hoof wall
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