Changes

'''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.  

'''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 [[Bones and Cartilages - Horse Anatomy#Proximal Interphalangeal (Pastern) Joint|'''pastern''']] is the most useful area of consideration. When the angle of the [[Bones and Cartilages - Horse Anatomy#Proximal Interphalangeal (Pastern) Joint|pastern]]  parallels the angle of the dorsal [[Hoof - Anatomy & Physiology|hoof]] wall, and those two are in alignement with the [[Joints and Ligaments - Horse Anatomy#Shoulder Joint|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 [[Bones and Cartilages - Horse Anatomy#Proximal Interphalangeal (Pastern) Joint|pastern]] is '''broken back''' ([[Bones and Cartilages - Horse Anatomy#Metacarpophalangeal (Fetlock) Joint|fetlock]] is lower than normal) or is '''broken forward''' ([[Bones and Cartilages - Horse Anatomy#Metacarpophalangeal (Fetlock) Joint|fetlock]] is too far forward), then intervention is usually needed, with therapeutic shoeing.

===Dorsopalmar Balance===

===Dorsopalmar Balance===

===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 [[Hoof - Horse Anatomy#Frog|frog]] can be extremely valuable for the farrier. It helps give an idea of how the [[Phalanges - Horse Anatomy#Distal Phalanx|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 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 [[Bones and Cartilages - Horse Anatomy#Proximal Interphalangeal (Pastern) Joint|pastern]] is broken back and the point of the [[Hoof - Horse Anatomy#Frog|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([[Phalanges - Horse Anatomy#Distal Phalanx|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'''.

If the [[Bones and Cartilages - Horse Anatomy#Proximal Interphalangeal (Pastern) Joint|pastern]] is broken forward and the point of the [[Hoof - Horse Anatomy#Frog|frog]] appears to be diving downwards out of the bottom of the foot, with the rear portion of the [[Hoof - Horse Anatomy#Frog|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'''.

The '''strain placed on the [[Tendons - Horse Anatomy#Flexors|deep digital flexor]]''' tendon should also be addressed, either by placing a '''wedge pad or shoe'''.

===Mediolateral Balance===

===Mediolateral Balance===