shoeing question

[siennamiller]

This is probably a stupid question but hey ho!
My horse has bad conformation behind, he is cowhocked and generally pretty wonky. He is shod with nat balance shoes at mo which have helped the shape of his feet alot but my question is, if I stand behind him I thought there should be straight line up thru the centre of his foot and the back of his leg, am I right in thinking that?
Thanks

 

[K27]

Yes - however if he has wonky legs ie problem in the bone structure higher than the foot, I guess this may not be the case- one of my horses has the same sort of prob with a front leg though and this makes it look like the foot is pointing out slightly! however its the leg.

The way I tell is if you actually pick the foot up and imagine drawing a line down thru the frog from the heel to the toe- it should be balanced from side to side. Your farrier should be able to help you on this a bit more than what I have explained here!.....

 

[sally2008]

I would hope so, unless he's REALLY wonky in which case by trying to make him straight your farrier would cause more problems than he would cure. Have you asked him about your concerns? Are his heels are the same height each side?

 

[siennamiller]

bless him, he is a wonky donkey. I will pick it up and have a look at it tomorrow
Thanks
x

 

[siennamiller]

I will ask him to have a look, he has made his feet so much better with the nat balance already!
x

 

[Spot1]

The straight line you refer to (the hind limb axis) represents an "ideal" conformation. Cow hocks are a common deviation from this axis, (some breeds are selected for this conformation) you will not be able to change this. The feet should be balanced to take account of the conformation and therefore reduce the risk of problems ( possibly interfering or hock problems).

 

[loopylucifer]

aggre with above. stright line is the ideal. my horse is bow legged more on one than the other both her hocks are wide of this line and both feet inside!! shes quite wonky too!