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Discussion on Hoof Pathologies And Their Affects on the Horses Muscles
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Monday, Aug 23, 2010 - 11:10 am:
DrO,
Do you know of any studies that connect hoof imbalances, or hoof diseases, to other areas of the horses body?
I am actually thinking "Meridians" but I know you probably don't find that Scientific, ;-).
A simple example I guess of a horse constantly being trimmed to stand under himself, that would cause muscle tension in his shoulders & wither area?
I have been wondering about this since noticing my gelding Cody has a sore area on his back. I would think it's from the back a saddle, except he's hardly been rode all summer!
I wonder if the issues we see with sore backs doesn't start with the hoofs, not the saddle fit? I am betting it does in many instances!
I'd love to hear others' experiences if anyone noticed changes in their horses way of moving, personality, anything, as their horses hoofs changed for the better. We know going from shoes to barefoot = changes. We know special shoeing changes many things...but what about little things with the hoofs? Slight imbalance, or flares, or a weak heel, poor frog...etc!!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Aug 23, 2010 - 6:11 pm:
Angie,
While I don't know about trimming to stand under (what kind of trimming does that?) but low heels stress the flexor tendons and poor medial-lateral balance will stress the joints, collateral ligaments, and collateral cartilages up to the fetlock.
DrO
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Member:
rtrotter
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Posted on Monday, Aug 23, 2010 - 7:04 pm:
Angie,
It is my belief that a horse with well balanced feet will stay sounder longer and be much happier long term. The caveat here is that it has to do with how the bony column of the horse relates to everything else in his or her body. If the bony column of the hoof and lower leg are aligned correctly than the rest of the horse should be in balance as well.
That is where the saying comes from "no hoof, no horse"
Fixing my mares feet has been a big key in keeping her sound even in very heavy training and racing. Because I basically trained her all the way down with a good balanced trim, she no longer has problems with her back end, does not show any soreness at all even after a very fast training/or race mile and for the first time in her life acts like she is enjoying what she is doing. She is starting to get that Diva attitude which is great in a race mare, who has to do this for a living.
Rachelle
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