Changes

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

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.

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 - Horse|'''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'''.

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

==Assessing hoof balance==

==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 phalanxed 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.  

'''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 [[Equine Phalanges - Anatomy & Physiology|phalanges]] properly oriented to one another and the [[Hoof - Anatomy & Physiology|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.

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.

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===

===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.

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===

===Frog Angle===

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

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

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

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

===Mediolateral balance===

===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.

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.

   

   

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

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

[[Category:To Do - Helen]]

 

[[Category:To Do - Review]]

[[Category:Musculoskeletal System - Anatomy & Physiology]]

[[Category:Expert Review - Horse]]