1	Trimming and Shoeing Evaluation and Unsoundness That Can Result from Imbalance
2	Understanding Hoof Anatomy
3	Structures of the Foot Hoof Wall Protects underlying structures of the foot and initiates dissipation of concussive forces when the hoof strikes the ground.
4	Hoof Wall The hoof wall is continuous with the epidermis (skin) at the coronet. Growth of the hoof wall occurs at the coronary epidermis at a rate of approximately 6mm (1/4 inch) per month.
5	The Sole The Frog The Body of the Sole The Bars
6	The Sole The Frog Wedge-shaped mass Softer than other parts of the hoof 50% water content Weight bearing?
7	The Sole Body of the Sole Self limiting growth Shedding from the superficial part Should not bear weight on the ground surface except near its junction with the white line Does bear internal weight transmitted from the coffin bone
8	The Sole The Bars Continuation of the hoof wall Weight bearing structure
9	Internal Structures of the Hoof Boney Structures Coffin Bone
10	Internal Structures of the Foot Boney Structures Navicular Bone
11	Navicular Bone Susceptible to degeneration due to abnormal forces placed on the foot One of it’s functions is to act as a fulcrum for the deep flexor tendon to glide across when flexing the foot (arrow is deep flexor tendon)
12	Internal Structures of the Hoof Soft Tissue Structures Deep Digital Flexor Tendon Digital Cushion Impar Ligament Collateral Ligament Suspensory Ligament of the Navicular Bone Joint Capsule Navicular Bursa Collateral Cartilage
13	The Laminae
14	The Laminae Responsible for binding the hoof and the outer surface of the coffin bone together 600 primary laminae The laminae from the coffin bone and hoof capsule interdigitate like velcro to hold the coffin bone off of the ground
15	Trimming and Shoeing for Balance and Soundness
16	Categories of Trimming and Shoeing Preventive Corrective Therapeutic
17	Preventive Characterized by BALANCE, SUPPORT, AND PROTECTION Goals are long-term soundness for performance
18	Corrective Alterations in the hoof and or shoe to affect stance or stride and breakover. Does not force a limb into an abnormal position Allows the hoof and limb to attain a desirable configuration, achieve more normal movement, and enhance breakover
19	Corrective Breakover is the phase when the hoof leaves the ground. It starts when the heel lifts and the hoof begins to pivot at the toe. The hoof can be encouraged to break over in a position that contributes to balanced movement.
20	Breakover Several shoes can specifically affect breakover Square-toed shoes Roller-toed shoe Rocker-toed shoes Roller-motion shoes Half-round shoes Several other specialized shoes
21	Therapeutic Designed to protect or support and injured hoof or limb or to prevent or encourage a particular movement until healing can take place. Example: heel elevation to allow the deep flexor tendon to heal, or relieve pressure on the navicular bone
22	Shoeing Procedure For farriers to do their best work, a proper area should be provided. Area should be well lighted, uncluttered, and level A concrete slab covered with a rubber mat is ideal
23	Shoeing Procedure Shelter should be provided Access to electrical outlets for power tools is essential Most importantly, it is the horse owner’s responsibility to present the farrier with a cooperative horse
24	Principles of Preventive Shoeing BALANCE Is three-dimensional and may be defined as an equal weight or force around the center of gravity of the horse’s limb. Ideally, the limb’s center of gravity is identical with that of the foot.
25	Principles of Preventive Shoeing Toe-Heel Tubule Alignment Normal – tubules parallel from heel to toe Underrun Heel - not parallel
26	Principles of Preventive Shoeing Dorsal-Palmer Balance Alignment of the hoof angle and the pastern angle A. Broken back axis B. Straight axis C. Broken forward axis
27	Principles of Preventive Shoeing Medial-lateral Balance Relationship between the inside (medial) wall of the hoof and the outside (lateral) wall of the hoof Determining the ML balance is one of the most challenging aspects of farriery and relies as much on art as it does science
28	Medial-Lateral Balance The goal is to trim the hoof in such a way that the ground surface of the hoof is centered beneath the limb This allows the hoof structure to bear the weight of the limb evenly
29	Medial-Lateral Balance Problems associated with inappropriate ML hoof balance Chronic heel soreness Sheared heels thrush Side bones Navicular syndrome Fetlock joint inflammation Bar cracks
30	Medial-Lateral Balance
31	Principles of Preventive Shoeing Length Toe length determines the length of the lever that the limb must break or pivot over Long toe creates a long lever arm, delayed breakover, and increased tension on the soft tissue support structures
32	Principles of Preventive Shoeing Length Extreme toe length can cause tearing of the laminae Excessive trimming of the hoof wall can also predispose the sole and frog to trauma.
33	Principles of Preventive Shoeing Levelness Entire bottom of the hoof wall should be level so it makes even contact with the ground surface
34	Principles of Preventive Shoeing Sole The natural sole is slightly cupped Excessive trimming of the sole can make the horse sore and weaken the bars Too thick, however, can reduce hoof expansion
35	Principles of Preventive Shoeing Shape Try to eliminate flares and dishes Good symmetry to the bottom of the foot
36	Shoeing Quality Control Checklist Hoof Preparation Balance Length Levelness Sole Frog Shape Symmetry of hoof pairs Shoe Preparation Selection Fit Hoof Expansion Heel Support Contact with wall Sole pressure
37	Shoeing Quality Control Checklist Nails Heads Placement Pattern Clinches
38	Nails Nail Path A. Good nail, not in sensitive structures B. Close nail, puts pressure on sensitive structures C. Hot nail, driven into sensitive structures (arrow is white line)
39	Nails Clinches should not be behind the widest part of the foot Clinches should not be too low or too high, generally the height of the nail furthest back should be approximately 1/3 the distance from the ground to the coronary band.
40	Shoeing Quality Control Checklist Details The hoof wall should be smooth and unless it is necessary to remove a flare, never rasped above the clinches. Old nail holes should be filled with wax to prevent moisture, mud, and other contaminants from entering the hoof.
41	Common Hoof Problems Neglect Allowing bare foot to wear too short or grow too long so that it breaks off
42	Common Hoof Problems Hoof Damage Broken hooves Poor hoof quality Supplementing with biotin and D-L methionine has been shown to improve hoof quality
43	Common Hoof Problems Contracted Heels Sign of pain/reduced loading of foot Can be caused by physical restriction (shoe nails, or clips)
44	Common Hoof Problems Underrun Heels Can result in excess stress to the flexor tendons and ligaments, heel soreness, hoof cracks, contracted heels, navicular syndrome, and collateral cartilage ossification
45	Common Hoof Problems Navicular syndrome Chronic forelimb lameness Poor hoof conformation Improper or irregular shoeing Excess stress to the heel region
46	Common Hoof Problems Laminitis Inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the foot Loss of interdigitation of the primary and secondary laminae Rotate vs sink Acute vs chronic
47	Common Hoof Problems Clubfoot Dorsal-palmer imbalance Short-toe-long-heel conformation
48	Common Hoof Problems Thrush White line disease Abscesses Cracks Fractures Canker
49	Final Notes Since the hoof capsule is malleable, the manner in which it is trimmed and shod can have a marked effect on performance and soundness of the equine athlete. Hoof imbalance, characterized by improper toe and heel length, inappropriate hoof angle, and inside to outside hoof imbalance, is common. Although some horses can tolerate these imbalances, others cannot and may enter a cycle that results in lameness.
50	TEAMWORK A horse’s health and soundness are a result of a team effort. The horse owner is responsible for coordinating the efforts of the other team members: manager, trainer, instructor, rider, veterinarian, and farrier.
51	TEAMWORK The farrier’s goal should be long-term soundness and optimum performance. In addition, the farrier can assist the veterinarian. The combination of their knowledge and experience usually benefits the horse.