Continuing Heels Talk

Today the PLANNED post did not happen. Oh No. Today was going to be how to trim back heels, and show you all how we balance them out, and how we would treat heels that are underrun. (Since my horse battles with both of those, he was going to be a good example.) However- my horse, for the first time in too long now, was SOUND. And feeling FRESH. Somehow, the thought of getting under him and trying to trim his feet while he was that frisky and happy really did not appeal to me.

Instead, a reader had fantastic timing, and sent along some really good examples of her gelding's off side (or left) fore hoof. The pictures below will show an unaltered one, what flare is, and it also shows a great example of orientation of growth.




In the above picture, you can see a great example of orientation of growth. Instead of the hoof allowing his heels to grow forward and become crushed, this horse tends to grow them down. Many would consider this a club foot, while I would have to reserve judgement on that. Why? Because I am betting with some minor adjustments in the heel height, this hoof would look much different in a short amount of time. Club feet also tend to have contracted heels, and very poor frogs. I have seen sole shots of this foot, (I think all his feet actually,) and he has wonderful frogs and wide heels. The fact is, most "club feet" are man made, on the off side, and correctable through proper trimming.

This image shows the flare. Under the blue line, you can see almost a "lip" or a slight bump in the hoof wall. Were you to run your hand over that, (and when you see a hoof care provider running their hands over hooves, we are actually feeling for flare. Many times, as we are working, we can feel things much easier than we can see them.) Oh- back to the flare here. Were you to run your hand over that with relaxed fingers, you would feel your hand actually shift direction and follow the hoof. You can feel flare often times easier than you can see it. How do we treat this? First, we work from the bottom of the hoof to ensure balance. Second, we trim the toe of the hoof, and begin to ease breakover. Third, we address the flare itself from the top of the hoof with the rasp.
What causes flare? Imbalance in the hoof, and uneven hoof growth actually force the hoof into a different shape. This is a somewhat abbreviated explanation, but it covers the gist of it.


This photo shows the heel height, AND the orientation of growth. If you look closely from the hairline down, you can see the "tubules" that we mentioned in Heels Part 1. How would we adjust this foot? We would carefully begin to lower his heels, and work on the flare from the top.

So how much of an issue is it, if your horse has odd feet?
That, in total honesty, depends on your horse. This horse that we used for today's "class" has stayed sound and strong for years. He is healthy, and moves out wonderfully for his owner, and they enjoy time on the trails tremendously.

My horse has issues similar to this. And we all know how sound HE has been off and on for the past year. While not all of his soundness issues have been from his feet, it added to them significantly. Think of it this way- add a tiny wedge to one of your shoes and walk around for a few days. Some of you won't notice it at all, while others are going to be sore as all get out, and headed to the chiropractor and masseuse.

Fire away with any questions, and always feel free to keep the photos coming! This has been so much fun for us, and I hope all of you as well!