slow---ing.....d---ow---nnnnnn
Tamara in TN
had the farrier out to work on Ben's mare Nita...regular
readers may remember that she was the ultra frantic/herdbound gal Ben's
has asked me to break to saddle and who I ended up taking to Bill's
farm in an exasperated last ditch effort to get something productive
done with her under saddle....w/o screaming for her equally attached
friends...
things went GREAT and we actually broke thru the terror barrier
and rode really great for a month...about the week of mar 7 I was
noticing a definate slow downnnnnnn in our work....walking was still
fine and the reverses were splendid and the trots (while willing to
begin with) were becoming ever more short in duration...one areana lap
became 1/2,became 1/4 became 20 strides became 10...I decided that we
needed a bit of a break and we'd up the grub some...
I was sick the week of the 17th til about 20ish and then got
better and "cowboy-ed" up a few days back...after what should have been
pleasant layoff w/friends and good grub she still had no get it at
the trot...now it's not my way to harrass and beat ( not that I don't
or can't but it is last ditch measure) esp when she is such a hot
headed go getter to being with...she had been shod up front on
arrival and they were good and tight but I started to worry about the
hinds....
she stands wide in front and behind...no rope walking on
this gal...but (to come to the point of the story) it turns out that
the hinds had been "worn to damn nubs" to quote my farrier and she was
just not making the effort as they hurt...not limping, just short and
"she'd rather not" and the insides of the hinds were just to
nothing....
anyway....my long rambling point is sometimes the problems
w/going forward is found in the simpliest things...w/in about two hours
of having the hinds on she was forward and going and being her old
goofy self
she'll prob buck me off now <G>
Tamara in TN
Robin Saunders Ryan
"Tamara in TN" <CDHO...@HIGHLAND.NET> wrote in message
news:1143855964.6...@z34g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
<snip>
>
> anyway....my long rambling point is sometimes the problems
> w/going forward is found in the simpliest things...w/in about two hours
> of having the hinds on she was forward and going and being her old
> goofy self
That's a good story and reminder. Thanks for posting that, especially in the
context of the recent posts!
> she'll prob buck me off now <G>
Wouldn't that be ironic? Hope not!
Robin
Brian Whatcott
wrote:
///
> anyway....my long rambling point is sometimes the problems
>w/going forward is found in the simpliest things...w/in about two hours
>of having the hinds on she was forward and going and being her old
>goofy self
>
> she'll prob buck me off now <G>
>
> Tamara in TN
I found this note helpful, Tamara. I am aware that I have not put
much effort into hoof care. There is no mud, and the sandy footing
tends to be cleaning in effect. But as a kid, I remember that any
pocket knife worth its salt had a hoof tool. Strange really.
Anyway, it was I think Jennifer who reminded me that regular hoof
attention is an elementary "good thing". Haynes (Buddy) the owner
keeps several horses shod which he mentioned is important over rocky
terrain. On soft going, the remaining horses seem functional on
barefoot, if trimmed regularly.
Do you have any thoughts on sensible working care for hooves?
Thanks in advance
Brian Whatcott Altus OPK
wka...@vic.com
<bet...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>Do you have any thoughts on sensible working care for hooves?
Mostly it's monitored by eyeball. As a rule, if it looks "off," it is
"off." The mechanism of the problem and it's repair may not be
obvious, but that there is a problem should be.
Sandy ground is soft, but abrasive. That can mean excessive wear
rates, meaning "ouchy" feet. Note that the "barefoot" advocates
seldom discuss this, limiting their comments to rocky ground and
advising that if you let the hoof "toughen" on this ground you'll
never need shoes. Or use EasyBoots or BoaBoots or some other
non-iron shoe protection while under saddle. Toughening a foot using
stones has been around since Xenophon so that's nothing new. You
still have to watch for excessive or uneven wear, however. No amount
of "toughening" will ever address that problem.
Next time the farrier is out ask him for a "play by play" as he works
on the feet. If he's a decent sort he'll do it for you. If he won't,
I'd look for someone who will.
Bill Kambic
Haras Lucero, Kingston, TN
Mangalarga Marchador: Uma Raça, Uma Paixão
Tamara in TN
Brian Whatcott wrote:
>
> Do you have any thoughts on sensible working care for hooves?
my personal program is to maintain what the farrier has done w/ hook
pick and steel wire brush and hoof sealant on the out side and
durasole on the inside...after every single ride...I ride in wet
fields and do not wish to lose time to cracking feet from the
wet/dry/wet/dry syndrome...that also let's me run a hand down the legs
for heat or scuffs
Tamara in TN
Brian Whatcott
wrote:
>
Hoof sealant & Durasole. Thanks for the insights.
Brian Whatcott Altus OK
redhe...@yahoo.com
I was taught you were supposed to pick the feet out before and after
every single ride and was part of each grooming/visit routine. I don't
actually do it like I should but, I know my horse. In the 9 years I've
had him; he has never worn a shoe. BUT, he grows healthy hooves
rapidly. they are not thin or splitting and he has never had a bruise
or abscess. This was one of the First features I looked at when he was
a baby good shaped feet and dark hooves. "No hoof no horse" (I know
the dark/white hoof preference is controversial but, It made me feel
better.)
I can't get my farrier to come and trim him often enough. I want my
horse trimmed every 4-5 weeks. He grows that fast all year long. I
asked the farrier when a horse needs shoes and his response was, "When
you look in you check book and the money is there." Well, Shoes are
Expensive!
He lives in a pasture 24/7 and is ridden over various terrain. He is
used to it. If he "Wesley" was in heavy training and was wearing his
hooves or bruising himself etc. I might think about putting shoes on
him.
Farrier told me most of the time when the hoof wall starts splitting
perpendicular to the ground and working it's way up. It's due to
thrush. It's like a run in a pair of panty hose and you have to stop it
at it's source. He trims out what can be trimmed and lets the rest grow
out. So, I always check for thrush and any splitting and if necessary
put thrush buster or copertox on it. Sometimes I scrub his hooves with
diluted bleach. I've only gone through maybe 4 thrush bottles and 2
copertox bottles in 9 years.
Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. He doesn't stand in a wet
or poopy stall waiting for it to be cleaned. Hoof picks, regular trim,
water, bleach, thrush buster, copertox a little hands on attention is
cheap compared to shoes.
The Real question is when does a horse *need* shoes? :)
JenniferR and Wesley
Brian Whatcott
///
>Sandy ground is soft, but abrasive. That can mean excessive wear
>rates, meaning "ouchy" feet.
///
>Next time the farrier is out ask him for a "play by play" as he works
>on the feet. If he's a decent sort he'll do it for you. If he won't,
>I'd look for someone who will.
>
>Bill Kambic
>Haras Lucero, Kingston, TN
>Mangalarga Marchador: Uma Raça, Uma Paixão
That sounds like a sensible idea. I mentioned to the owner, the
quality of the hoof off cuts from the last farrier visit, and
mentioned the prices I had read here. Haynes (Buddy) said he
prefers to use a master farrier, who comes in from Texas, and he is
willing to pay the premium. I guess the farrier works when I work
(not surprizingly) so I need to organize that time.
I found it hard to believe Hayne's assertion that the farrier uses
a hoof nipper to produce that result. Looks more like the work of a
battery powered edge grinder with a cutting wheel to me.
I shall certainly ask to sit in.
Thanks
Brian Whatcott Altus OK
Tamara in TN
Brian Whatcott wrote:
> Hoof sealant & Durasole. Thanks for the insights.
the sealant is called "hoof shield"....if things get real
mucky in the winter I'll also cover the coronary bands w/a german
grease called Effol...I've used it nearly 18 years and it keeps the
bands from swelling in the winters
Tamara in TN
Brian Whatcott
>Brian,
>
>I was taught you were supposed to pick the feet out before and after
>every single ride and was part of each grooming/visit routine.
///
>Farrier told me most of the time when the hoof wall starts splitting
>perpendicular to the ground and working it's way up. It's due to
>thrush. /// He trims out what can be trimmed and lets the rest grow
>out. So, I always check for thrush and any splitting and if necessary
>put thrush buster or copertox on it. Sometimes I scrub his hooves with
>diluted bleach. I've only gone through maybe 4 thrush bottles and 2
>copertox bottles in 9 years.
///
>JenniferR and Wesley
When aluminum airframes develop cracks - and vibrating areas like
engine cowls often do, the airframe mechanic wants to drill a
stop-crack hole - a very small hole just beyond the end of the crack.
When the crack reaches the drill hole - it stops. Usually anyway.
Stress-raisers and all that. Not something you'd see on a hoof
though, I fancy? :-)
Brian Whatcott Altus OK
JC Dill
<bet...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> I found it hard to believe Hayne's assertion that the farrier uses
>a hoof nipper to produce that result. Looks more like the work of a
>battery powered edge grinder with a cutting wheel to me.
>I shall certainly ask to sit in.
The farrier's hoof trimming kit consists of:
Hoof nippers
Rasp with rough and fine sides
Hoof knife
Apron to protect the farrier's legs
The farrier grasps the hoof between the farrier's thighs (front hoof)
or resting on the farrier's thighs (back hoof) so that both hands are
free to use the tools. The knife is used to pare the frog and sole.
The nippers bite off excess hoof wall, the rasp is used to level and
smooth the trimmed edges.
Have the farrier show you the proper positions to hold the hoof - this
is something you should practice for two reasons:
1) To acclimate the horse to having the hoof held in this manner,
making it easier to trim (and later, to shoe) the horse.
2) So that if you ever need to wrap or medicate a hoof you can do so
with both hands free.
jc
--
"The nice thing about a mare is you get to ride a lot
of different horses without having to own that many."
~ Eileen Morgan of The Mare's Nest, PA
Brian Whatcott
>The farrier's hoof trimming kit consists of:
>
>Hoof nippers
>Rasp with rough and fine sides
>Hoof knife
>Apron to protect the farrier's legs
>
>The farrier grasps the hoof between the farrier's thighs (front hoof)
>or resting on the farrier's thighs (back hoof) so that both hands are
>free to use the tools. The knife is used to pare the frog and sole.
>The nippers bite off excess hoof wall, the rasp is used to level and
>smooth the trimmed edges.
>
>Have the farrier show you the proper positions to hold the hoof - this
>is something you should practice for two reasons:
>
>1) To acclimate the horse to having the hoof held in this manner,
>making it easier to trim (and later, to shoe) the horse.
>
>2) So that if you ever need to wrap or medicate a hoof you can do so
>with both hands free.
>
>jc
Good idea. I see that a rasp would level the hoof, but I was noticing
a remarkably flat smooth off cut in a three quarter circle from his
last visit.
Sincerely
Brian Whatcott Altus OK
redhe...@yahoo.com
stop-crack hole - a very small hole just beyond the end of the crack.
When the crack reaches the drill hole - it stops.>
Similar concept from what the farrier explained. But the hoof is much
more 3 dimensional and with a living and blood pumping, animal. A sheet
of aluminum is "one" layer and. But, sometimes the crack is two high up
the wall and you can't trim it with out getting into the "laminae"
similar to a "quick" (crude analogy) So, he digs as much out as he can
according to the physiology of the hoof and balance of the hoof walls
and tells me to make sure I treat it til it grows out more.
JenniferR
JC Dill
<bet...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>Good idea. I see that a rasp would level the hoof, but I was noticing
>a remarkably flat smooth off cut in a three quarter circle from his
>last visit.
The correct method for using the nippers involves making each cut with
the nippers partially in the prior cut, so a skilled farrier gets a
very smooth cut that way.
redhe...@yahoo.com
JenniferR
Emily Brooks
"Brian Whatcott" <bet...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:usss22136po793ba2...@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 31 Mar 2006 23:24:44 -0500, wka...@vic.com wrote:
>
> ///
> >Sandy ground is soft, but abrasive. That can mean excessive wear
> >rates, meaning "ouchy" feet.
> ///
Data point:
My Paint has been shod all 'round for all of his working life. Why, you ask?
He has relatively small feet and weighs around 1250 lb. So he is shod for
support reasons rather than wear.
After our big move, we are now working in crusher-run rather than river
sand. After the first month of this, my farrier added what I'll call
extra-large rim pads in front because he had worn the sole thin and was
ouchy. How did I know he was ouchy? I watched him move on the lunge. He was
setting the feet down distinctly heel first rather than flat, at least at
the walk, and my instructor agreed that he was moving oddly. These pads
cover most of the sole but are cut away to leave the frog exposed.
Shoes are needed for traction, support, or therapeutics (and I suppose
support could == therapeutic). My other horse, the App, is shod all 'round,
with eggbars in front. For support/therapeutics, as he has been diagnosed
with navicular syndrome and will be in serious distress quickly without
shoes. Shoes behind for him for support - without them, his back/hocks hurt.
He's 23 now and a bit creaky - like me.
Emily
Brian Whatcott
>On Sat, 01 Apr 2006 19:32:02 GMT, Brian Whatcott
><bet...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
>>Good idea. I see that a rasp would level the hoof, but I was noticing
>>a remarkably flat smooth off cut in a three quarter circle from his
>>last visit.
>
>The correct method for using the nippers involves making each cut with
>the nippers partially in the prior cut, so a skilled farrier gets a
>very smooth cut that way.
>
>jc
Yes, I see....
Thanks
Brian Whatcotrt Altus OK
Brian Whatcott
<sun...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>Data point:
>My Paint has been shod all 'round for all of his working life. Why, you ask?
>He has relatively small feet and weighs around 1250 lb. So he is shod for
>support reasons rather than wear.
>
//
>He's 23 now and a bit creaky - like me.
>
>Emily
>
I was interested in the corrective/therapeutic aspect of shoeing. You
will appreciate I do not have a real grasp of the structural features
of the shoes you describe. And this is the sort of thing I would do
better seeing from an illustration, rather than asking for written
details.
Thanks
Brian Whatcott Altus OK
p.s. I know peoples' joints do creak. People younger than me. I am
indeed fortunate in that respect. I am not yet impaired for movement.
Emily Brooks
> >
>
> I was interested in the corrective/therapeutic aspect of shoeing. You
> will appreciate I do not have a real grasp of the structural features
> of the shoes you describe. And this is the sort of thing I would do
> better seeing from an illustration, rather than asking for written
> details.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Brian Whatcott Altus OK
Eggbar shoe - http://www.centaurforge.com/prodinfo.asp?number=K29802
Wide rim pad - http://www.centaurforge.com/prodinfo.asp?number=532RIM but
the ones on my Paint are hand-cut from a full pad and cover the entire sole
except the frog and sulci rather than just the rim of the hoof.
Emily
Barbara Johannessen Bailey
What does the eggbar do for the horse? How does it do it?
Barb
Brian Whatcott
<sun...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>> this is the sort of thing I would do
>> better seeing from an illustration, rather than asking for written
>> details.
>Eggbar shoe - http://www.centaurforge.com/prodinfo.asp?number=K29802
//
>Emily
>
Emily,
I must be a hard case - I see the full shoe, but I don't grasp the egg
bar descriptor. What is it?
Brian Whatcott Altus OK
JC Dill
A regular horse shoe is open at the heels. One that is closed at the
heels is a "bar shoe". A standard bar shoe has a straight bar between
the heels, and an eggbar shoe has a rounded bar between the heels
making the shape of the shoe somewhat egg-shaped. (There are also
other types of bar shoes such as the heartbar shoe which has a tongue
that extends over the frog, used to provide frog pressure to stabilize
the coffin bone in a horse with founder.)
Barb asked about the purpose of an eggbar shoe. First, let's start
with the purpose of a bar shoe - the bar helps stabilize the heels of
the shoe which helps with some heel conditions in the hoof. An eggbar
shoe stabilizes the heels and also provides more support for the heels
of the hoof and the leg.
Here is a technical article showing the mechanics of how an extended
heel on the shoe supports the hoof and leg:
<http://www.horseshoes.com/farrierssites/sites/rooney/basicmechanics1/basicmechanics1.htm>
Here is a case study showing application of eggbar shoes on a horse
with run-down suspensories:
<http://www.ecis.com/~hplove/clo/sus01.html>
More case studies here:
<http://www.ecis.com/~hplove/pag/farr01.html>
Brian Whatcott
//
>>I must be a hard case - I see the full shoe, but I don't grasp the egg
>>bar descriptor. What is it?
>
>A regular horse shoe is open at the heels. One that is closed at the
>heels is a "bar shoe". A standard bar shoe has a straight bar between
>the heels, and an eggbar shoe has a rounded bar between the heels
>making the shape of the shoe somewhat egg-shaped. (There are also
>other types of bar shoes such as the heartbar shoe which has a tongue
>that extends over the frog, used to provide frog pressure to stabilize
>the coffin bone in a horse with founder.)
>
>Barb asked about the purpose of an eggbar shoe. First, let's start
>with the purpose of a bar shoe - the bar helps stabilize the heels of
>the shoe which helps with some heel conditions in the hoof. An eggbar
>shoe stabilizes the heels and also provides more support for the heels
>of the hoof and the leg.
>
>Here is a technical article showing the mechanics of how an extended
>heel on the shoe supports the hoof and leg:
>
><http://www.horseshoes.com/farrierssites/sites/rooney/basicmechanics1/basicmechanics1.htm>
>
>Here is a case study showing application of eggbar shoes on a horse
>with run-down suspensories:
>
><http://www.ecis.com/~hplove/clo/sus01.html>
>
>More case studies here:
>
><http://www.ecis.com/~hplove/pag/farr01.html>
>
>jc
Wow! That was as competent a follow up as I could hope for. Thank you,
JC. Straight bar, egg bar, keyhole: I get it. Help for the
suspenseries.
Regards
Brian Whatcott
jsaranac
"JC Dill" <jcd...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:a3iu22th0og6p8dpj...@4ax.com...
thanks, JC. this was interesting.
Emily Brooks
Thanks, JC. I'm not a farrier, just a well-read and personally involved
horse-owner.
Emily
Barbara Bailey
Thanks. Now let's see if I understood what I just read...
The eggbar shoe effectively extends the (functional) hoof
backwards, by adding the weight-bearing bar to the rear of the
hoof; which moves the center of pressure backwards as well, which
changes the amount of stress on each of the ligaments, tendons,
and muscles that run up the horse's leg from the hoof.
So if the horse is ouchy because the tendons in the rear of the
leg (the flexors) are sore (overstressed, unevenly stressed, or
twisting under stress,) an eggbar shoe may relieve that pain by
changing the stress on those tendons. If the wrong stress is in
the other direction (on the extensor tendons on the front of the
leg), then an eggbar won't help, but an extended-toe shoe may?
Barb
Emily Brooks
"Barbara Bailey" <rab...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:442fd...@newspeer2.tds.net...
>
> Thanks. Now let's see if I understood what I just read...
>
> The eggbar shoe effectively extends the (functional) hoof
> backwards, by adding the weight-bearing bar to the rear of the
> hoof; which moves the center of pressure backwards as well, which
> changes the amount of stress on each of the ligaments, tendons,
> and muscles that run up the horse's leg from the hoof.
>
> So if the horse is ouchy because the tendons in the rear of the
> leg (the flexors) are sore (overstressed, unevenly stressed, or
> twisting under stress,) an eggbar shoe may relieve that pain by
> changing the stress on those tendons. If the wrong stress is in
> the other direction (on the extensor tendons on the front of the
> leg), then an eggbar won't help, but an extended-toe shoe may?
>
>
> Barb
AFAIK, there are few situations where delaying breakover is a good thing.
The structure of the leg is such that the greatest stresses are in the back.
That far-too-typical long-toe, low-heel trim you see is damaging precisely
because it delays breakover by extending the lever arm toward the front.
Emily
Tom Stovall
[deletia]
> Thanks. Now let's see if I understood what I just read...
>
> The eggbar shoe effectively extends the (functional) hoof backwards, by
> adding the weight-bearing bar to the rear of the hoof; which moves the
> center of pressure backwards as well, which changes the amount of stress
> on each of the ligaments, tendons, and muscles that run up the horse's
> leg from the hoof.
>
> So if the horse is ouchy because the tendons in the rear of the leg (the
> flexors) are sore (overstressed, unevenly stressed, or twisting under
> stress,) an eggbar shoe may relieve that pain by changing the stress on
> those tendons. If the wrong stress is in the other direction (on the
> extensor tendons on the front of the leg), then an eggbar won't help,
> but an extended-toe shoe may?
>
The effectiveness of egg bars in reducing tension of the DDFT and
compression of the distal sesamoid by the DDFT is directly related to
the placement of the shoe on the foot and effective phalangeal
angulation. When compared to an open heeled shoe at equal angulation,
and normal heel placement, an egg bar set full to the toe will increase,
not reduce, stress on the suspensory apparatus because the size of the
platform is increased without facilitating turnover - which causes the
foot to remain on the ground longer during loading and unloading.
--
Tom Stovall, CJF
Farrier & Blacksmith
sto...@REMOVEwt.net (remove REMOVE)
http://www.katyforge.com
Barbara Johannessen Bailey
Urk. (Day-um, I wish I'd learned my geometry/algebra/physics
better. <sigh>) 'nother maybe-dumb question: "breakover"; whazat?
The point in the movement of the foot/leg where the hoof actually
rotates on the center of pressure/center of rotation? So an
extended toe moves the fulcrum forward, and decreases the
efficiency of the flexor tendons, and a bar-shoe moves the
fulcrum point back and increases their efficiency?
From studying anatomy diagrams, it appears that the impetus for
any step comes from the flexor tendons--they _must_ shorten to
lift the heel to start the rotation of the hoof forward, from
flat, to on the toe, to off the ground. Right?
If I've got that right, then the extended toe shoes (or the
long-toe, low-heel trim) do to a horse the same thing that
putting on a pair of shoes several sizes too large and stuffing
the toes with old socks does to a human? (I'm thinking of the
typical little-kid-scuffling-around-in-daddy's-shoes type thing
here.)
Barb
Barbara Johannessen Bailey
Oh dear. 8-( This has completely outrun my vocabulary.
DDFT? distal sesamoid? phalangeal angulation? suspensory apparatus?
Anybody know of a good _basic_ vocabulary/definitions site? I'm
in over my head, I fear, and need to back up a bit... quite a bit.
Barb
Tom Stovall
> DDFT? distal sesamoid? phalangeal angulation? suspensory apparatus?
DDFT: Deep Digital Flexor Tendon.
Distal sesamoid: navicular bone.
Phalangeal angulation: aligned angle of the last three bones in the
horse's leg (phalanges = first, second and third phalanx [P1, P2, P3],
aka, long pastern, short pastern, coffin [aka, pedal] bone).
Suspensory apparatus: collective term for the tendons and ligaments that
"suspend" the column of bones in a horse's leg, especially those below
the knee (carpus) and hock. If the DDFT, SFT (superficial flexor tendon)
and suspensory ligament are severed, the fetlock becomes unsuspended and
will become the primary point of support for the horse's leg. It's not
pretty.
> Anybody know of a good _basic_ vocabulary/definitions site? I'm in over
> my head, I fear, and need to back up a bit... quite a bit.
You might find some of the essays on this page useful:
<http://www.katyforge.com/farrier.htm> Or, not.
Tamara in TN
Tamara in TN wrote:
> hi all
>
> had the farrier out to work on Ben's mare Nita
I have been meaning to do this for some time
and prob to Ben and Tara's great embarassment <g> but I have almost
NEVER had such nice clients to work for...involved w/out being pushy
and interested and concerned in an intelligent way...
so...now you all know what I know...and B and T... you can stop
blushing....
Tamara in TN
Barbara Johannessen Bailey
> Barbara Johannessen Bailey wrote:
>
>> DDFT? distal sesamoid? phalangeal angulation? suspensory apparatus?
>
>
> DDFT: Deep Digital Flexor Tendon.
Gotcha. The DDFT being the one closer to the bone than the
superficial flexor tendon (which would be the one closer to the
skin) then?
> Distal sesamoid: navicular bone.
And an A-HA! moment occurs. The diagrams of the lower leg and
hoof I'd found all had that labeled as the navicular. But the
articles referred to the distal sesamoid. Which meant that I
wasn't making the connection between what I was reading about and
what I was seeing in the pictures.
> Phalangeal angulation: aligned angle of the last three bones in the
> horse's leg (phalanges = first, second and third phalanx [P1, P2, P3],
> aka, long pastern, short pastern, coffin [aka, pedal] bone).
I gather that ideally, P1 and P2 should be aligned in a straight
line along their centerlines, when viewed from the side, and that
the angle formed by P2-P3 is what you're talking about here:
"Generally speaking, most light horses operate most efficiently
with phalangeal angulation of between 50 and 60 degrees on
fronts, 45 to 55 degrees on hinds, measured radiographically."
(What the Hell is a Phalangeal Lever & Why Should I Care? )?
Or is that the angle formed by a line drawn from the top of P1 to
the toe end of P3 and the line formed by the surface the horse is
standing on?
> Suspensory apparatus: collective term for the tendons and ligaments that
> "suspend" the column of bones in a horse's leg, especially those below
> the knee (carpus) and hock.
Yay, me! That's what I was thinking it might mean. Maybe I'm not
hopelessly lost after all.
> If the DDFT, SFT (superficial flexor tendon)
> and suspensory ligament are severed, the fetlock becomes unsuspended and
> will become the primary point of support for the horse's leg. It's not
> pretty.
The whole foot structure just flops around? Ick. What kind of
thing can cause that type of damage?
>> Anybody know of a good _basic_ vocabulary/definitions site? I'm in
>> over my head, I fear, and need to back up a bit... quite a bit.
>
>
> You might find some of the essays on this page useful:
> <http://www.katyforge.com/farrier.htm> Or, not.
I've been nibbling my way through the archives there. Enjoyable
reading.
Barb
JC Dill
Yes.
>So an
>extended toe moves the fulcrum forward, and decreases the
>efficiency of the flexor tendons, and a bar-shoe moves the
>fulcrum point back and increases their efficiency?
A bar shoe per se doesn't move the fulcrum back. To move the
fulcrum back you use a rolled or rocker toe or set the toe of the shoe
back. The "natural balance" line of horse shoes sets the toe of the
shoe back and rolls the toe.
You can have a shoe that is both a bar shoe (increased support in the
heels) AND which has the toe moved back (easier breakover). This is a
key feature of a heartbar shoe used to treat founder.
> From studying anatomy diagrams, it appears that the impetus for
>any step comes from the flexor tendons--they _must_ shorten to
>lift the heel to start the rotation of the hoof forward, from
>flat, to on the toe, to off the ground. Right?
Well, sorta. Breakover comes more from moving the body forward until
the stretch of the tendon is at the maximum, and then the hoof rolls
over the toe. Then the tendon contracts to bring the hoof up during
flight.
>If I've got that right, then the extended toe shoes (or the
>long-toe, low-heel trim) do to a horse the same thing that
>putting on a pair of shoes several sizes too large and stuffing
>the toes with old socks does to a human? (I'm thinking of the
>typical little-kid-scuffling-around-in-daddy's-shoes type thing
>here.)
Yes.
JC Dill
> 'nother maybe-dumb question: "breakover"; whazat?
>>The point in the movement of the foot/leg where the hoof actually
>>rotates on the center of pressure/center of rotation?
>
>Yes.
Rereading, I realize I didn't correct a perhaps misconception, the
hoof doesn't rotate about a "center", it rotates over the point of the
toe. That point is called the breakover point, or just the breakover.
For example, a vet might tell a farrier "move the breakover back" and
that means move back the (effective) point of the toe so that the
breakover point is closer to the tip of the coffin bone.
Another point about breakover is that the breakover point needs to be
in the right place or else it tweaks the leg. One way to move the
breakover back is to use a square toe shoe, but a straight "square"
toe might be slightly at the wrong angle (relative to the hoof) and
tweak the horse as it breaks over. So a rounded shape in the shoe is
better than a squared shape. In the old days they talked about using
a "square toe" in certain circumstances where today it is more common
to talk about "moving the breakover back" or "easing the breakover".
The moment of breakover is the moment when the tendons are at the
greatest strain. The tendons are pulling on the bottom of the coffin
bone which is pulling against the laminae which are holding it to the
hoof wall. So the moment of breakover is also the moment when the
laminae are under the greatest strain and when the laminae get torn
and a laminitic horse founders (the bone rotates or sinks).
This is one reason why a foundered horse is shod with a shoe with an
eased breakover, the breakover point is often moved back behind the
wall (into the white line) to minimize the pull on the damaged laminae
as the horse moves.