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.

You dealing with a Tender Foot?

Is your horse a Tender Foot?

We receive at least three to four calls a week concerning thin soled horses. The stories have common threads running all through them. My horse has been tender footed for as long as I can remember. I have been trying to toughen his sole up for the past two years. Every spring my horse has bruised soles.

What it all comes down to is poor sole health, but why? We first need to look at the foundation for the sole. What is the structure that host the corium (sensitive structures, where circulation is present)? When observing  the "sole" most people refer to the area of the sole where the coffin bone is the foundation, the area of the sole around the apex (tip) of the frog. The horn that is produced by the corium covering the coffin bone is called "primary tubular horn." This horn is very hard, unlike the horn produced at the outer edge of the coffin bone. The horn produced at the outer edge of the bone and where cartilage is the foundation is called "terminal tubular horn", this  horn is tough and flexible. As a reference; tool steel (chisels, drill bits) is hard and unyielding, where iron is tough and flexible (pry bar, hinges). A benefit of being able to recognize and distinguish the difference between the two  types of tubule is gaining the ability to identify the location of the coffin bone within the capsule.  Each type of horn serves a purpose. Can you recognize the difference in the photograph below left?

The Primary tubular horn below the coffin bone helps in preventing torque / twisting of the bone and aids in establishing correct hemodynamic response (circulation), whereas the Terminal tubular horn helps protect against concussion and allows for proper distortion, this helping to protect the underlying sensitive structures and allowing for correct foot function.

When I hear someone say my horse has a thin sole they are most often referring to the Primary Sole located below (distal) the coffin bone and not the sole at its outer most edge (terminal sole). 

Why does this primary sole have such difficulty in growing healthy? There are several reasons, but the most common are a lack of proper circulation and excessive pressures on the corium resulting from a compromised suspension. (I am not simply referring to a lack of circulation, but rather to proper circulation and its timing). There are a number of causes for improper circulation to the solar plexus (vascular bed). One is improper conformation of the hoof capsule itself. You see, the foot is subject to the laws governing fluid dynamics and one law states that fluids always seek low pressure. The foot is subject to these laws simply because systolic pressure is superseded by the forces created by the stride, therefore blood flows from high pressure to low pressure throughout the stride. Having proper conformation of the hoof capsule becomes very important. To short of a toe for instance can reduce blood flow to the circumflex artery that partially supplies blood to the solar plexus. At the time of break over it is important that the toe be engaged, producing pressure on the outer wall creating high pressure in the lamellae plexus, thus causing the blood to seek the lower pressure presented in the primary solar plexus. If the pressure on the hoof wall of the toe and its corium (lamellae plexus) is not higher than that of the solar plexus then proper circulation may not occur. This is only one small part of how circulation (hemodynamics) occurs in the foot.

Overall circulation in the solar aspect (bottom of the hoof) can also be affected by a lack of suspension of the Internal Arch Apparatus (Internal foot). Lack of suspension results in chronic mild compression of the solar corium, which can cause bruising, abscessing, and poor horn growth. Where does this lack of suspension come from? Most often it is the result of  unhealthy Ungular Cartilages. The ungular cartilages and coronary band are partly responsible for suspension of the foot within the capsule. When ungular cartilages becomes unhealthy they suffer a loses elastic potential (the ability to resist distortion). When the suspensory structures suffers a loss of elastic potential the sole is the first place we see the symptoms. This is primarily because the internal foot and the relationship it holds to the hoof capsule are under the greatest amount of stress. How does this occur? Loss of Ungular cartilage health (poor development of extracellular matrix) is often the result of a metabolic disturbance of some sort. Following a harsh winter many horses can suffer metabolic imbalances due to seasonal changes in environment, dietary changes, and hydration changes. Spring can be very stressful for our horses. 

Hoof wall integrity also plays a roll in suspension of the internal foot. If hoof wall integrity is compromised by poor wall matrix, excessive moisture, or excessive trimming, distal decent of the internal foot can become excessive resulting in abnormal pressures on the solar corium. 

I suggest you take a close look at how environmental changes could be a cause of stress in your horse.

I treat thin soles by first addressing the metabolism of the horse, making sure the horse is well hydrated, trimmed properly, free of infection, and exercised to promote the health of the Internal Arch. Take care of the inside, to gain health on the outside.