Changes

==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 [[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.  

'''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 - Horse Anatomy|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.