Achieving Dynamic Balance.
This video does show that watching a horse move can be a valuable tool in achieving dynamic balance. The method of trimming used was the HPT Method that I have been teaching for nearly 20 yrs. The HPT Method was published in an American Farriers Journal article in 2002 titled "A Table with all the Trimmings". I believe the article is now published as a supplement hand out by the AFJ and can still be had. Any method that results in dynamic balance and a sound horse is a good method. The key I believe is to teach a method that offers good results, and proves consistent and repeatable.
Below are my comments on bi-lateral wedging, I welcome your comments.
It is my belief that bi-lateral shimming/wedging that involves the
lateral cartilages is an exercise in futility when the goal is to balance the limb and top line of the horse, that is why these particular wedges were used. Any wedging or building up of the hoof wall should be for the purpose of establishing dynamic balance of the hoof capsule to the hoof's internal foot. Maintaining dynamic load to the coronary band is important. Reconstruction of weak structure or missing structure is not wedging.
The lateral cartilages form the caudal foot, and depending upon several factors retain correct conformation for proper foot function, or alter in response to improper stimulus resulting in a loss of proper foot function. Some of these factors include palmar process conformation and length, load, and degree of elastic potential. It is the level of elastic potential that establishes the range of load that the lateral (ungular) cartilage can withstand before conformation change occurs. In some cases the cartilages will simply be displaced proximally, returning to normal conformation when the cause of displacement is removed. In those cases where extracellular matrix degradation occurs (loss of elastic potential and increase in elasticity occurs) cartilage goes through conformational change, with these changes often resulting in hoof deformities. Regardless of the balance method disregard for the conformation of foundations of the equine foot will more often result in hoof deformity.
The lateral cartilages form the caudal foot, and depending upon several factors retain correct conformation for proper foot function, or alter in response to improper stimulus resulting in a loss of proper foot function. Some of these factors include palmar process conformation and length, load, and degree of elastic potential. It is the level of elastic potential that establishes the range of load that the lateral (ungular) cartilage can withstand before conformation change occurs. In some cases the cartilages will simply be displaced proximally, returning to normal conformation when the cause of displacement is removed. In those cases where extracellular matrix degradation occurs (loss of elastic potential and increase in elasticity occurs) cartilage goes through conformational change, with these changes often resulting in hoof deformities. Regardless of the balance method disregard for the conformation of foundations of the equine foot will more often result in hoof deformity.
these feet are so ff'd excuse my english!...they havent been correctly maintained and big trouble is afoot! Learn everything about barefoot trimming and those with yards of experience and get the shoes off that horse and start the journey home.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. Perhaps you assume to much. This horse has just returned from Colorado via a three day trailer ride. The vet requested the shoes be removed after seeing a bog spavin had developed and lameness was present. The horse was shod three weeks earlier and is a top level reigning horse. The farm is a highly respected farm that has a history for producing some of the finest reigners in the world. The care they receive is beyond reproach. The horse was shod while away in training.
ReplyDeleteThis post is not about the shoes or going barefoot, it is about understanding functional anatomy and the foundations of the foot. Lateral wedging disregards funtional anatomy. Podiatry is about understanding the foot. Applied Equine Podiatry is applying that knowledge to the benefit of the domestic horse, not simply the barefoot horse.
ReplyDeletePerhaps some clarity is in order here. If you read the blog I state that wedging to the cartilage for the purpose of balancing the limb or top line is futile. However, if the hoof capsule can not be balanced for lack of structure reconstruction is often required. This is not wedging. It is my opinion that if you need to alter limb dynamics the wedge must have a rigid foundation i.e. the shoe. A lateral wedge shoe applied to a balanced hoof will alter limb dynamics. Whereas a lateral wedge applied to the caudal foot will alter caudal foot conformation having little positive effect on limb dynamics as demonstrated in the video. Just my opinion.
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