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Enhance Healing by Understanding the Mechanical Thought Process in Equine Podiatry
Enhance healing by understanding the influences of trimming and shoeing for therapeutic purposes
Pictured Above: A foot is balanced when the suspension and support components are in harmony and equilibrium, and have total recall after deformation from load. Illustration: Dr. Ric Redden
Farrier Takeaways
- A foot is balanced when the suspension and support components are in harmony and equilibrium, and have total recall after deformation from load.
- Considering the complexity of the equine foot, it is only prudent that we understand the forces at play and their influence on all components.
- Understanding the basic mechanisms of hoof capsule distortions and foot-related lameness enables the clinician to unravel the sometimes complex mix of abnormalities, identify early warning signs, and manage existing problems more effectively.
Foot-related lameness is one of the most frequently encountered problems in the equine industry. Therapeutic shoeing is a frequently-used preventative discipline for the treatment of many causes of lameness.1-3 The primary goal for therapeutic applications is to offset the mechanical limitations of the foot and enhance the healing environment.
The mechanical influence of trimming and shoeing for therapeutic purposes is poorly understood by some farriers and veterinarians.
By-and-large, traditional trimming and shoeing goals are focused on creating a normal appearing, well-balanced foot. This concept serves the horse well, as long as it meets the ever-changing maintenance requirements of the foot. However, the terms normal, balanced and therapeutic are subjective at best and are relative terms. Compared with what?
Foot problems frequently occur despite of the very best efforts of competent, experienced and highly respected farriers, but are seldom resolved…
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