Equine Foot Balance

Introduction

Equine foot balance is probably the single most important aspect of equine podiatry.

In farriery, this refers to the harmonious relationship between the horse's limb, the hoof and the horseshoe.

Conformation of the horse's foot will cause the hoof capsule to distort due to uneven pressures being exerted on it and this may eventually lead to lameness. Farriery involves assessing hoof balance and shoeing the foot so that it most closely fits the needs of the limb.

Horses' feet should be regularly trimmed to address any issues before lameness occurs. This usually happens every 6-8 weeks.

Assessing Hoof Balance

Radiography is the only way to have conclusive evidence that the foot is in balance and the bony column is aligned. This involves having the phalanges properly oriented to one another and the hoof capsule situated in a manner that load bearing is equal and there is no undue stress on any one area of the distal limb.

It is not always possible to use radiography, and hoof balance can be visually assessed with the horse standing squarely on a clean, hard, flat surface. The pastern is the most useful area of consideration. When the angle of the pastern parallels the angle of the dorsal hoof wall, and those two are in alignement with the shoulder angle, then the entire limb appears to be in harmony.

If the pastern is broken back (fetlock is lower than normal) or is broken forward (fetlock is too far forward), then intervention is usually needed, with therapeutic shoeing.

Dorsopalmar Balance

The farrier should attempt to have one third of the foot in front of the widest part of the foot, and two thirds of the foot behind the widest part. This strategy gives the horse the right amount of caudal support and helps keep the heels from becoming underrun.

Frog Angle

Assessing the frog can be extremely valuable for the farrier. It helps give an idea of how the distal phalanx is situated inside the hoof capsule.

If the pastern is broken back and the point of the frog is deeply recessed into the surrounding sole and appears to be angling towards the coronary band at the front of the foot, then P3 (distal phalanx) is likely to be doing the same. The foot is said to be caudally rotated. Trimming will involve removing more toe than heel to derotate the hoof capsule relative to P3.

If the pastern is broken forward and the point of the frog appears to be diving downwards out of the bottom of the foot, with the rear portion of the frog recessed up between the heel, the the foot is assumed to be rotated cranially and P3 is pointing downwards. Trimming will involve removal of more heel than toe.

The strain placed on the deep digital flexor tendon should also be addressed, either by placing a wedge pad or shoe.

Mediolateral Balance

This is critical in ensuring the load bearing is as uniform as possible. Overloading one side of the foot strains the ligaments of the foot and affects the joints of the entire limb.

P3 will appear in harmony with the hoof capsule as viewed from the rear. The heel lengths need to be the same on each side of the foot.

Ideally the foot should land flat or slightly heels first and the medial and lateral heels need to contact the ground simultaneously.

It can take several shoeings to improve medio-lateral balance, using a medial or lateral wedge to artificially manipulate the hoof capsule orientation.

Equine Foot Balance Learning Resources
Flashcards Test your knowledge using flashcard type questions	Equine Orthopaedics and Rheumatology Q&A 02

References

Thomas, H. (2006) Understanding equine hoof care Eclipse Press

Floyd, A. (2007) Equine podiatry Elsevier Health Sciences

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