Understand The Importance Of Pastern Joint Motion

Research at Michigan State University indicates the pastern joint undergoes a larger range of motion than previously realized. Hilary Clayton told attendees at the recent American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) annual meeting that the forelimb pastern joint flexed 35 degrees during the stance phase of the trot. She says much of the rotation in the distal limb that had previously been credited to the coffin joint is actually occurring at the pastern joint.

With a half dozen trotting horses, maximal 155 degree flexion occurred at 34 percent stance and maximal extension of 190 degrees took place at 92 percent stance. “The fact that the pastern joint undergoes a significant amount of flexion during the braking phase may offer an explanation for the rather high incidence of pastern joint arthritis with horses used in sports that involve rapid deceleration,” says Clayton.

Mail-In Shoeing Contest Drawings Coming In March/April Issue

The worldwide mail-in shoe contest will again be sponsored this year by the Calgary Stampede’s World Championship Blacksmith’s Competition and American Farriers Journal. This year’s shoes are a front diagonal bar shoe and a hind Standardbred shoe with heel calks. This contest gives you the opportunity to compete for fabulous prizes at Calgary without leaving home.

Smaller Equine Operations, More Lame Horses

While the risk was small, data from a Michigan Equine Monitoring study indicates horses in smaller backyard operations are at an increased risk for lameness. Yet Colorado State University equine veterinarian Al…