Be Careful When Making Changes In Foot Balance

Noel Muller maintains you’re probably making a serious mistake when you decide to alter foot balance in hopes of giving your client a horse that strides straight behind. The equine veterinarian at the Los Caballos Equine Practice in Galt, Calif., told International Hoof-Care Summit attendees that a normal toe-out conformation is often changed by lowering the inside of the foot to achieve a mistaken view of the ideal.

“The athletic horse functions optimally with a foot that is balanced medial to lateral, supported fully in the toe, quarters and heel areas and achieves a flat landing pattern,” says Muller. “Deviation from these principles leads to problems in the foot and induced pain in the rear leg and back.”

Maybe You Should Try This Unusual Toe Nipper

Stacy Lerners admits it may sound a little gruesome, but the Pickrell, Neb., farrier has found an unusual nipper to be useful in his trimming work. “A bone saw is awful handy to have in the truck,” he says. “This is great for laminitic horses that haven’t received regular care. It takes just a little amount of time to cut back a long toe that would have taken a lot longer to trim back with hoof nippers.”

Take It Slow With Moisture Removal From The Hoof

Recent research results from Cambridge University demonstrates that the speed at which excessive moisture is actually pulled out of the hoof wall is much more critical than the actual amount…