Just how important is trimming of the hoof? Some owners think it
can be done once every couple of years, every year, every six months.
However most owners have their horses on a six, eight, ten or twelve
week schedule. Trimming is very important. It is the foundation on which
your horse walks on or is shod. You should never sacrifice quality and
timely trimming. A lot of owners will try and trim their horses or hire
less experience shoer to trim, simply because it will cost less. A horse
should be trimmed between six and twelve weeks, depending on growth,
on a year round basics. Spring, summer, fall and even winter.
The following information is taken from "Shoeing Right" by David Krolick.
"Trimming entails cutting away excess hoof growth. It also involves
sculpting the hoof to correct any deformities and either rounding the
edges to avoid chipping on an unshod hoof or preparing the foot to receive
a shoe. It is the most exacting part of horseshoeing.
A good trim is the foundation for the entire operation. The point is
clearly demonstrated in that shortening the toe by a quarter of an inch
will raise the hoof angle in relation to the ground by as much as three
degrees. A quarter inch taken at the heels will lower the angle. A difference
of a quarter on either side of the hoof will determine whether the hoof
lands squarely during movement.
Taken together, the hoof angle and side-to-side symmetry of each hoof
represent how well balanced the animal is in relation to the conformation
of its legs. Balance effects not only the position of the hoof and how
it lands but, more significantly, the position of the bones inside.
By influencing the dynamic forces applied to the ligaments, tendons,
and joints, the alignment of the bones of the hoof and leg controls
how the stress of weight bearing and movement is distributed. Ultimately,
the entire weigh-bearing and concussion-absorbing mechanism is directly
affected by the trim. As a result, any long-standing imbalance caused
by poor trimming, uneven wear of an unshod hoof, or excessively long
shoeing intervals can cause or contribute to a variety of problems such
as splints, navicular disease and sheared heels.
When to start youngsters. The time to start thinking
about straight and conformationally correct limbs is when you decide
which horses should be bred. Crooked limbs are commonly passed on from
one or both parents. The next best time is when you buy a horse.
An investment in proper hoof care for a young horse will pay dividends
for the rest of its life. It is true to some extent that, conformational
flaws can be improved by proper trimming. Until the horse is about nine
months old, the development of the bones of the legs can be both positively
and negatively affected by the balance of the feet. In fact, conformation
problems can actually be created by lax care. Avoiding or correcting
this type of environmentally caused defect is more likely than compensating
for a genetic flaw, although some genetically induced problems can be
improved on. In either case, the chances for improvement are very poor
once the bones stop growing.
Trying to improve conformation in a horse beyond nine months old almost
never works. The long-term result of attempting change in a more mature
horse is usually deformed feet and eventual lameness."
Stop and think why the horses are lame at younger and younger ages.
The foundation at which improper trimming of the hoof was started.
When I started shoeing horses 34 years ago under Carl Saddler, a Master
Farrier with 45 years experience, we did one or may be two therapeutic
shoeing a month, these horse being in their twenties. Now I see twice
that many in a week starting at two years of age. This past week I was
at a veterinarians with a client who just purchased a three year old
gelding. The horse was showing signs of lameness. After evaluation by
myself and then veterinarian with radiographs, we both agreed on the
problem in the hoof and knees. Improper trimming for the past three
years. This horse will recover somewhat, but he will never be or stay
100% sound later in life.
One of the tests I used in trimming and shoeing is to palpate the horses
back along the longissimus muscle. By using your fingers place a good
amount of pressure along the muscle, if your horse flinches or ducks
down, you may want to look at hoof imbalance as a cause. I have found
this to be one of the major causes of sore backs in horses.
Remember to use a qualified full time Professional Farrier. A member
of the Guild of Professional Farriers, Working Brotherhood of Farriers,
American Farriers Association. Or a farrier certified who is licensed
through State or Federal Civil Service, to provide for long term usefulness
of your horse.
