As director of education of the Equine Lameness Prevention Organization (ELPO), Steve Foxworth is a strong advocate of the organization’s hoof mapping method. The Loveland, Colo., farrier believes the approach can help farriers recognize hoof distortions while being aware of the tip of P3 and the center of the coffin joint.

In ELPO mapping, the first step is measuring from the dimple at the back of the central sulcus of the frog to the apex of the central sulcus.

“The reason for that is the length of the central sulcus doubled gives us the true apex of the frog,” Foxworth says. “We then measure from the true frog apex back 1 inch on a medium-sized foot and make a mark.”

Next, he says, “We look at where the laminae terminates in the bar. If the termination of the bars and 1-inch back from the frog apex line up, we’ll make a mark; that’s the widest part of the…