Unshod hoof Balance.... bit of a rant! (long)

[Hoppa]

I've heard it many times now, that hooves grow the way they do because they are "compensating" for something higher up the leg.

Compensating, gives the impression that they are growing to help correct another problem and make the horse more comfortable. Some farriers don't want to correct a hoof problem, because it has grown that way for a reason.

Well this week I have realised that in fact, sometimes hoof wear is detrimental, sometimes the upper limb problem can cause the hoof to wear in a way which is not helpful!

Horse with old pelvis injury, usually one visit from Chiropractor and sound as a pound. Back in March noticed the usual tell tale signs, horse "waddles" a bit behind, shortened strides, back hoofs appear to twist on landing etc. Not lame, just under performing.

Chiropractor comes and yes he is out alignment, 3 months later after many visits from her and several massage sessions, working in straight lines, equissage etc no improvement.

Someone points out that he lands on the outside of his back hoofs then twists... So I start to wonder why he is not wearing out the outside of his hooves faster. Well of course he actually is, but the inside heels have become crushed over time and make the hoof balance look normal, unless you really have a very good look. Covince farrier to take a close look, he trims insides right down and leaves outsides...

Hey presto. within 24 hours, hes standing square, tracking up in walk, using hocks properley in trot.. within 48 hours he is spotted galloping and bucking in the field (almost unheard of!)

I guess the morale of the story is, just because barefoot hooves can wear themselves down, doesn't always mean they are doing what the horse needs. In this case the growth had just over taken the wear. So if for any reason you can't keep up the work level, then beware! Trust your instincts if something looks wrong, then it probably is.

This is the same horse who a few years ago had club foot, which everyone insisted was a birth defect. Funny that... as its now a normal hoof!

Old school farrier said back shoes would possibly help but his feet are so hard and good it would be a shame as he doesn't need them... so we're not.

So my question is, if he had shoes on this whole time what would have happened? Would the outside heels crush? Would the strain be on the pelvis more?

 

[Fransurrey]

So my question is, if he had shoes on this whole time what would have happened? Would the outside heels crush? Would the strain be on the pelvis more?

In answer to your question, you would have seen abnormal wear of the shoes. Whether or not that would be as abnormal as bare hoof wear is dependent on the density of the horn, I would imagine! Henry used to wear his unevenly when we did a lot of road hacking, due to the camber of the tarmac. We don't have that problem, now, but it was certainly something I had to keep an eye on!

 

[cptrayes]

.... but the inside heels have become crushed over time and make the hoof balance look normal, unless you really have a very good look.

Convince farrier to take a close look, he trims insides right down and leaves outsides...

Shame you had to tell the farrier his job

....... if for any reason you can't keep up the work level, then beware! Trust your instincts if something looks wrong, then it probably is.

You hit the nail on the head with matching work to wear. If it looks wrong, it may well be, so trust your instincts, yes, but what you actually did was trust the horse. He felt wrong, he was wrong, he needed help. If the horse has odd feet and feels right, it is right - I think the moral of the story is "trust the horse"