Driving a Wedge between Concept and Common Sense

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.

Can a Frog have Acne?

Fatty Frog Deposits?

A recent post to our forum caught my eye, and I thought others would find it interesting. I have copied and paste the post below:

"I was trimming a frog for a new client the other day and a white substance oozed out.  It was a bit like Sudocrem (topical zinc oxide cream) in consistency and didn't smell much.  The horse wasn't at all lame.

I've never come across anything like it before, her farrier said it was a fatty deposit and entirely normal.  Any opinions? "

Response:

Frog callus (Squamous layer)

I have been trimming hooves for the better part of thirty years and I have seen what one of our students labeled as "frog acne" many times. Even though it is a common occurrence, unlike many farriers that consider it normal, I do not.

With a clearer understanding frog anatomy this modality can better be explained.

Sagittal view showing sensitive frog, digital cushion, and
insensitive frog horn

The frog horn is produced by the papillae of the frog corium, a thin layer of sensitive tissue that covers the distal (bottom) surface of the digital cushion. The frog tubules are higher (40%) in moisture than the horn of the wall or the sole, and as a result are much more pliable. Keratinization of the cells of the frog horn (epithelium) occurs as they move away from their point of origin. In addition to the tubules produced by the papillae there are merocrine glands within the digital cushion with ducts leading through the frog’s horn to the frog’s surface. These glands produce squamous epithelium cells that are deposited on the surface of the frog, forming a tough leather like layer whose primary function is protection.

In anatomy, squamous epithelium (from Latin squama, "scale") is an epithelium characterized by its most superficial layer consisting of flat, scale-like cells called squamous cells. The frog’s surface epithelium possesses multiple layers of these squamous cells; therefore the frog’s surface epithelium is referred to as stratified squamous epithelium.

Frog shows layer of squamous cells

It is very likely that the deposits (milky white discharge) are the result of a blocked duct, resulting in a pocket of un-stratified squamous cells.

Further histological studies would be needed to identify the cells of these deposits, but because they are considered normal, or superficial these studies are unlikely to occur, but further research may turn up such histological studies.
I hope this helps.

KC La Pierre 

Educational Opportunities for the New Year.

Happy New Year All.

The coming year is going to be a very exciting indeed. First, we are excited to have added several courses in the United States to our calendar in 2015, there are six level one courses being offered this year! All courses are open to farriers, veterinarians, trimmers, and horse owners. Even if you can't attend the whole course, you may want to consider auditing. Contact our office for details and limitation.

Follow this link for a listing of courses.
Applied Equine Podiatry Course Calendar 2015

The added courses make it possible for those of you that wish to start a new career working with horses to do so. For details on our DAEP career path follow this link. Becoming a DAEP.

A reminder that our active alumni (DAEP) may attend any level one course for continuing education free of charge. These C.E. hours go a long way to fulfill the C.E. requirements for achieving a star rating, and for remaining an active alumni member. If you are not an active alumnus, but would like to start sharing in the benefits of being an active alumnus please contact our office to renew your membership for 2015. Don't know the benefits of being counted as an active alumnus? Drop us an email and we will send you out this years alumni package. Alumnus are offered tuition free C.E., large discounts on the products you use everyday, promotional opportunities for your business, and unsurpassed support. And we don't want to forget to mention that you also become a respected team member of a group of dedicated care providers that strive to improve on the quality of life of all horses in our care.

Active Alumnus 2015 Window Decal

 Also added to our calendar this year are several one day workshops. These workshops are offered tuition free for training in the use of the new Dynamic Balance Hoof Level. Workshops are open to everyone including veterinarians, trainers, horse owners, farriers, and trimmers.
Certification in the use of the DBHL will be offered to all trimmers, farriers and DAEP that wish to participate in the certification portion of the workshop.  A certificate will be given to those that complete the certification portion of the workshop.
A new page will be added to our website listing all DAEPs, Farriers, and Trimmers that have successfully completed training and receive certification in the use of the DBHL.
You do not have to be a student of  A.E.P. to become certified in the use of the DBHL, however you do need to provide proof that you are a practicing veterinarian, farrier or trimmer.
Space is limited to 20  participants for each workshop, and active IAEP students will be given preference in attending. Registration is required. Contact our office for details.