Natural Hoof Care Specialist |
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Today the performance horse industry has become quite physically demanding of our equine athletes. Therefore it is vital that our horses receive the best of hoof care throughout their careers. As the old adage goes.... "No hoof no horse"
These photos are from a 22 year old breeding stallion that had succumbed to the improper hoof care and nutritional program that he had been receiving and therefore was physically unable to service mares. Notice the ripples in his hooves in the comparison photo due to laminitis. Also notice the trimmed portion begins at the lateral toe quarter and ends with the medial heel. This is a good example of improper peripheral loading as well as significant collateral laminitis. Following proper hoof care and changes to his nutritional program this stallion regained his ability to service mares. "The hoof is a book to the body" We specialize in Natural Hoof Care and Equine Soundness management and apply our proven knowledge to
every horse that is within our care, ensuring they have the greatest opportunity to succeed no matter the equine discipline. Our goal is to optimize each horse's level of
soundness thereby increasing performance and consistency in the arena, on the ranch or down the trail. We strive for hoof symmetry and perhaps most importantly to
achieve and maintain the true biomechanical relationship between the hooves and their respective leg bones.
It has been estimated that over 80% of all equine joint lameness originates or stems from the coffin joint also known as the Distal Interphalangeal Joint (DIPJ) which includes the Coffin bone (P3), Navicular bone (distal sesamoid) and the distal surface of the short pastern bone (P2). Importantly the coffin bone and navicular bone share an articulating surface with the distal surface of the short pastern bone. Although the coffin and navicular bones are indeed two separate and distinct bones they form a proficient synergistic "socket" for the distal surface of the short pastern bone. This unique synergy of the coffin joint, coupled with the lateral cartilages of the hoof capsule, provides the natural hoof (healthy barefoot) with more than sufficient flex and torque capabilities during locomotion..............an independent suspension of sorts. The elasticity of the natural hoof, when three dimensionally balanced to the coffin joint and pastern, advocates for enhanced hoof hemodynamics, stored potential energy (PE) and minimizes concussive forces by more than half, all of which maximize and facilitate musculoskeletal efficiency. "...whatever tends to defeat the purpose of nature in organizing the locomotory apparatus, by interfering with or
misdirecting its normal movement, will ultimately result in that loss of harmony and lack of balance by disabled functions and testified by lameness."
--Prof. William Russell, 1903
However, if this synergy between the hoof and pastern is compromised due to mediolateral and perpendicular imbalances then some musculoskeletal insults will precipitate such as navicular
disease and/or syndrome, bone spurs, fractured splints, OCD's, joint effusion, bone chips, strained or torn tendons and ligaments, loss or damage of joint cartilage/meniscus,
chronic chiropractic problems, chronic hock, stifle, knee and ankle pain, chronic muscle pain, and the list goes on and on. The continuation of improper hoof care leads to
the overuse of cortisone (steroid) injections which causes further damage to the musculoskeletal system. Applying proper hoof care and nutrition, with good soundness
management practices, will normally restore or maintain a sound hoof that maximizes soundness in the musculoskeletal system. "De Agony of De Feet" ![]() This photo of a 17 year old stallion shows the egg bar shoe that came off of him a year and a half earlier. This photo actually should have been taken holding the shoe further down his hoof, because that would give you a better picture of how this horse was actually wearing the shoeing apparatus before we removed it. After a year and a half of proper hoof care management and being barefoot which promotes natural hoof mechanics and soundness, this horse's heel quarters spread out nearly two inches, thus completely eliminating navicular pain and lameness. This stallion continued to travel honestly sound..... barefoot in the limestone country of Central Texas. ![]() [Replacement Heifers] [Training Program] [Horses For Sale] [Links Page] [Home] |
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