Specialist in Natural Hoof Care, Hoof Rehabilitation and Soundness Management

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"

I specialize in Natural Hoof Care, Hoof Rehabilitation and Soundness Management and apply proven knowledge to every horse that is within my care, ensuring they have the greatest opportunity to succeed no matter the equine discipline. My goal is to optimize each horse's level of soundness therefore increasing trainability, performance and consistency in the arena, on the ranch or down the trail. I endlessly strive for hoof balance, symmetry and perhaps most importantly to achieve and maintain the true biomechanical relationship between the hooves and their respective leg columns to achieve a "honestly" sound individual.

A very good example of collateral laminitis. Notice hoof capsule is nearly 1 inch higher on the left side or approximately 15 to 20 degrees out of alignment to the coffin bone and pastern. Mare was wearing Heart Bar Rocker Rail shoeing apparatus with additional wedging of glue.

Same hoof following proper natural hoof care.

Same hoof 8 weeks later.

My basic philosophy is that a distressed body will distress the hoof or a distressed hoof will distress the body. I would like to emphasize that hoof conformation and soundness are affected by many variables. Some of the primary factors affecting the hooves and soundness of horses are proper nutrition, proper hoof care, musculoskeletal soundness, adequate exercise, genetics and the environment in which the horse lives.

Perhaps the most prevalent condition(s) that I most often see, in all ages of horses, which affects hoof conformation and soundness would be collateral and/or contralateral limb laminitis. Laminitis is regarded as insult or destruction to the "Velcro Attachment" which exists between the (1.) dermal laminae (tough connective tissue consisting of fingerlike projections) of the coffin bone, (2.) basement membrane (specialized interfacing glue between the dermal and epidermal laminae) and (3.) epidermal laminae (fingerlike projections with specialized barbs) of the innermost layer of the hoof wall. The disintegration of this "Velcro Attachment" between the coffin bone and hoof wall is normally incited by endotoxins specific to the basement membrane and laminae. These endotoxins enter the bloodstream from the damaged intestinal lining of the hindgut and are carried via arterial blood to the hoof and are responsible for eliciting and therefore hyperexciting a naturally occurring pruning enzyme called Matrix Metalloproteinase(MMP). These endotoxins are produced by the fermentation of excessive starches and sugars, Non Structural Carbohydrates (NSC) and Water Soluble Carbohydrates (WSC) respectively, in the large intestine and/or cecum of the horse. Laminitis may also be triggered by endotoxins released from colic, colitis, retained placenta, pneumonia etc. Other forms of laminitis secondary to carbohydrate overload laminitis are Insulin Resistance, Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS, also known as Obesity Associated Laminitis) and Cushings Disease. Collateral laminitis is a pathological listing (tilt or incline) of the coffin bone towards the inside(medial) or outside(lateral) and normally caused by excessive NSC/WSC intake, however like contralateral limb laminitis it also can be induced by unsoundness in the musculoskeletal system or improper hoof care. In contralateral limb laminitis the apex (toe) of the coffin bone will normally rotate downward due to the excessive pull by the DDFT (Deep Digital Flexor Tendon). In regards to either malady a compensatory condition is usually invoked by the body when there is an unsoundness in the musculoskeletal system where the supporting limb(s) experience superexertion and therefore suffer some form of laminitis. I am quite confident that many horses could be suffering from both contralateral limb and collateral laminitis simultaneously. While collateral laminitis isn't immediately life threatening, such as Acute laminitis (more severe form), many horses unfortunately continue to suffer from this unnecessary, debilitating and perhaps the most misdiagnosed condition of the equine hoof.

Let me explain........The natural equine hoof (healthy barefoot) houses the coffin bone, navicular bone and the distal end of the short pastern bone along with all of the many cartilages, ligaments and vasculature (blood flow). The coffin bone and navicular bone should uniformly exist in a transverse (across) plane mediolaterally/perpendicularly balanced to the median (vertical) plane of the pastern. In other words, their mechanical relationship should mirror the perfect "T". Remember the primary cause of laminitis in horses is excessive amounts of starches and sugars in the daily diet. The following are some discretionary food sources: grasses, especially those with seed heads like rye, wheat, bahia, oat and bluestem. Completely avoid grazing highly fertilized pastures of any forage. Be guarded when allowing free grazing on lush pasture. Use discretion when buying your hay/feed and be mindful of potential NSC and WSC levels. Learn about your geographical area and the local plants storage/usage of NSC & WSC's. Proceed with trepidation when considering legume pastures and/or hays such as alfalfa and clovers. Use caution when considering complete feeds or supplements especially those containing corn, barley, excessive quantities of oats and especially molasses. Finally, beware of Equine Digestive aids that contain fructo-oligosaccharides (used as prebiotics) because laminitis can be experimentally induced by the administration of 7.5 g/kg of body weight of Oligofructose (French and Pollitt, 2004). While a discernible degree of hypertension occurs in the body a pathological disconnect ensues between the hoof wall and the coffin bone. The epidermal laminae, basement membrane and dermal laminae begin to unlock weakening the laminar bond. This reduction in the laminar bond allows for the listing, descension and possible rotation of the coffin bone within the hoof capsule. Resulting in a net loss of perfusion (pumping of blood) surrounding the coffin bone due to the compression of blood vessels beside and/or beneath the coffin bone. A front view or side view venogram (a procedure for visualizing blood flow) will clearly show compression of the blood vessels between the coffin bone and hoof wall or beneath the coffin bone. The cumulative and detrimental effects of excessive NSC/WSC's are unequivocal and cause malalignment of the hoof capsule to the coffin bone and pastern minimizing skeletal and hoof soundness, hoof perfusion, sole depth and wall thickness and are most often perpetuated by improper trimming, flat shoes, mechanical shoes, pads, sole packing and the continuation of improper nutrition.

Front view venogram of the right front hoof. Notice the near complete loss of blood flow on the right side due to the significant malalignment of the hoof capsule to the coffin bone and pastern from collateral laminitis as well as improper hoof care. Also notice the bone column leaning towards the right. The shoeing apparatus has since been removed from this Grade 4 to 5 lame horse and the hoof capsule and diet have both been corrected to begin hoof rehabilitation.

Rear/Inside view of the right front hoof of the same horse. Once again notice the near complete loss of blood flow on the left side.

It has been estimated that over 80% of all equine joint lameness originates from the coffin joint (coffin bone, navicular bone and the distal surface of the short pastern bone). It's important to note that 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 and ligaments 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, advocates for enhanced hoof hemodynamics, stored potential energy (PE) and minimizes concussive forces by more than half when compared to peripheral loading, all of which maximize and facilitate musculoskeletal efficiency.

		Callous sole depth equals 1 and 1/16 inches. If we combine callous sole depth of 1 and 1/16 inches to 7/16 of an inch of sensitive sole this Quarter horse has 1 and 1/2 inches of total sole depth. This coffin bone is riding high!
This Quarter horse owner handily wins the "Hoof Farmer" award

They say a picture is worth a thousand words! The x-ray above is a good example of how excessive starches and sugars combined with peripheral loading (whole weight of the horse rests completely on the walls and ligaments of the hoof) cause destruction to the entire dynamics of the hoof. You will notice about half way up the front of the hoof, there are two arrows pointing towards each other. This is where the dermal and epidermal laminae interlock. On the front of the hoof, you will notice an illuminated (radiopaque) paste that highlights the hoof wall from the ground surface up to the hairline (coronary band). You will notice two horizontal lines near the coronary band. The upper horizontal line represents the coronary band and the lower horizontal line represents the top of the coffin bone (extensor process). The distance between these two lines, which is 3/4 inch, represents not only how much the coffin bone has descended down into the hoof capsule but also the amount of sole lost. In a natural hoof (healthy barefoot), the extensor process should reside at the same location with the coronary band. The two lines should almost become one as you move the extensor process upward towards the coronary band. You will notice near the bottom of the x-ray, we have only a little over 1/4 inch of sole depth. This is a serious compromise of the vascular supply beneath the coffin bone. Dr. Ric Redden suggests that the "minimum amount" of sole a hoof needs to protect the vital internal structures is 5/8 inch to 3/4 inch. Further, Dr. Redden states to adequately protect the internal structures, a hoof should have 13/16 inch of sole and upwards. Can you see that if we add the sole depth this hoof possesses, 1/4 inch, to the amount the coffin bone has descended, 3/4 inch, we would have 1 inch sole depth. According to Dr. Redden, 1 inch sole depth would be more than adequate to protect the internal structures besides tremendously improving the energy absorbing/dissipating abilities of the hoof. Finally, I would like for you to notice the strange foreign materials. These are laces constructed out of stainless steel wire and steel tabs and have been used to stabilize a significant "quarter crack" (www.equipodiatry.com/qtrcrka.htm) which this hoof has suffered as a result of increased pressure to the walls due to deterioration of the entire hoof capsule. Once again, the cumulative and detrimental affects of excessive starches and sugars coupled with peripheral loading are unequivocal and cause destruction of the hoof capsule and minimize energy absorption/dissipation, soundness, hoof perfusion, sole depth and wall thickness.

Front hoof with Heart Bar Rocker Rail Shoe affixed with additional wedging of glue. Mare was grade 5 lame.			This is the shoe after removal. Note excessive injurious frog pressure. Also note injurious sole pressure from improperly placed glue in belly of shoeing apparatus.
This is the right front hoof following removal of injurious shoeing apparatus and 45 minute epsom salt soaking. School of Veterinary Medicine in charge was contemplating euthanization. It took 6 weeks to remove 5 abscesses from this hoof. Today mare is enjoying grade 1/2 to grade 1 lameness barefooted. Our expectations are for this mare to resume performance horse soundness through proper natural hoof care and nutrition.		Same hoof 8 weeks later. Notice lamellar wedge on dorsal wall. Same hoof as above in venograms. Notice severity of whiteline (separation between epidermal laminae and dermal laminae) on the left side of photo due to both acute and collateral laminitis. Laminitis for this mare began 1 and 1/2 years earlier and obviously was never arrested due to an improper feeding regimen as well as improper hoof care. Perhaps this will explain no medial perfusion in venograms above. Also notice quarter size abscess with pencil size hole in the sole which is from final and most debilitating bruise caused by injurious sole pressure from improperly placed glue. Note bruise on left side of frog in severely bruised photo. Mare currently has zero callous sole depth.		Same right front hoof at 13 weeks. Notice position of abscess at this time. Also notice the severity of lamellar wedge. Notice the concavity that is developing.

If the synergy between the hoof and pastern is compromised due to mediolateral, perpendicular, proximal/distal(up/down) and/or dorsal/palmar(front/back) 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.

Some hoof symptoms of collateral/contralateral laminitis which you might recognize would be hoof asymmetry (high/low syndrome), chronic bruising (both in the walls and soles), abscesses, flared walls, straight walls, distorted growth rings, ripples in the walls, thin soles, thin walls, hoof imbalances, club hooves, long toes with underrun heels, contracted heels, stress fractures(such as quarter cracks and toe cracks) and white line disease.

It is our utmost desire to help horses and their owners through education and by being of service through natural hoof care and soundness management, and hope that you will contact us if we can help you and your horse in any way. Please remember that we also provide seminars and clinics, and would be happy to provide this service at your next equine event. Please contact us by phone or email:
Home Phone: 903-726-3319
Cell Phone: 903-721-4539
Email: rfairchild@earthlink.net

"De Agony of De Feet"

My customer took this photo of a 17 year old stallion which shows the egg bar shoe(upside down) with pad and copper rivets that came off of him a year and a half earlier. This photo should have been taken while holding the shoe further down his hoof, because that would give you a better understanding of how this horse was actually wearing the shoe 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, therefore completely eliminating navicular pain and lameness. This stallion continued to travel honestly sound..... barefoot in the limestone country of Central Texas.

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Fairchild Cutting Horses & Cattle Co.

P O Box 192
New Summerfield, TX 75780
903-726-3319

© Fairchild Cutting Horses & Cattle Co.
Ross & Dawn Fairchild
April 10, 2003