When
it comes to trimming
" Are we throwing out the baby with the bath
water"
An exploration of
hoof trimming concepts
There
are many methods that are being discussed about "the perfect trim."
However, sometimes we might be "throwing the baby out with the bath
water," trying to apply "the perfect trim" to some types of
hooves that do not have enough material to trim or wall integrity to support a new
trim.
Shoers
and trimmers are still searching for "the perfect trim," and at
times this trim is attempted at the cost of a horse's comfort. Many shoers and
trimmers are guilty of the very same thing and that is - trimming hooves too
short looking for "the perfect angle (trim)" on every hoof they
see.
A
proper trim should have established objectives, which are to enhance a hoof's
natural integrity for effective biomechanics. A trim should assist in
appropriate hoof growth (proliferation & conification) and to protect the
internal structures of a hoof. The aim in trimming should be obvious "do
no harm." However, many times one or more of these support structures may
be compromised because of diet, environment, or conformational imbalances. So how does
one avoid improper and/or over aggressive trimming mistakes?
First
we must understand the objective of a trim and establish a short-term plan with
long-range goals. This means applying a trim that has the proper support and
biomechanics for comfort and movement, with the ultimate goal of sustainable
growth and balance. When dealing with lameness issues or transitioning from shoes
to barefoot or barefoot to shoes this may mean applying casts (Equicast) to
establish effective hoof wall integrity that may have been compromised for any
number of reasons. The challenge is recognizing these failures, understanding
these failures, so we can develop an effective treatment to correct the
imbalance problems and still have a horse that is comfortable during the
treatment phase. When horses are comfortable and moving around they are in
essence feeding their feet, and they will grow healthier hooves faster than a
horse this is limping around or standing in a stall or field waiting for that perfect trim to start to work.
Developing
an effective trim for proper biomechanics is critical, yet here's where many
trims "throw the baby out with the bath water!" There are many
different trimming protocols that are very effective, IF one understands what a
particular type of trim does. It's not that these trims are bad or invasive; it
is however critical to understand what a particular type of trim does. Whether
it's uniformity of sole depth (Savoldi) a 30-degree coronary band angle (Dr.
Strasser) or peripheral unloading of the hoof wall (Ramey) each type of trim
has its benefits and its problems.
Herein
lies what we might call a false dichotomy. No matter what the pursuit or
profession, we cannot afford to set up a "You're either with us or against us"
mentality. So how does one decide what type of trim is the best trim for a hoof
at a particular time for a particular horse? This is the million-dollar
question now isn't it! The first thing we should consider is everything. Now
there's a statement! Ever talk to a farrier, trimmer, or veterinarian who is so
closed minded to another option, which you know they have not experienced or
tried, but are convinced it will not work. Now I've got you thinking let's carry
on with our exploration.
Well,
to help answer this question let's break down a hoof's function into its two
basic roles of loading and movement. Our goal in trimming should be to assist
in the natural shape and function of a healthy hoof capsule, which is dynamic,
effective and an efficient biomechanical structure, a structure that can
support and withstand all the forces applied to the whole hoof capsule during
loading and movement. The natural biomechanics of a healthy balanced hoof
increases its efficiency for movement, balance, proliferation and
cornification.
For
a better understanding of a hoof's function, separate the two phases a hoof is
subjected to: the loading phase and the movement phase and the relationship
these phases have to one another. Proper loading of a hoof capsule is the
ability of the whole hoof capsule to effectively withstand the pressures and
forces that are applied to the hoof walls, sole and frog. Proper movement is
the ability of a hoof to function in an effective and efficient biomechanical
(cycle) sequence. The goal in trimming is to consider the combination of
loading and movement. These basic phases must work in concert with one another
for healthy efficient and sustainable growth. Remember a healthy hoof is necessary
to a horse for protection, food, recreation, and to stay both physically and
mentally healthy. Understanding these basic concepts of loading and movement,
as well as nourishment and balance should always be considered on every horse
one works on. The movement phase is the ability of the hoof to move
(break-over) with the least amount of laminae stress and the maximum amount of
efficiency, which is in direct conflict with the size of a hoof (the bigger the
hoof the less pounds per square inch on the walls) relative to the weight of a horse. For
support (loading) bigger is better, for movement smaller is better. The bigger
a hoof is, the greater the torque to the hoof wall (arming effect) and laminae
at the point of break-over. The smaller a hoof is, less torque to the hoof wall
(arming effect) and laminae at the point of break-over. Here is where art and
science need to work in harmony for the optimum kind and style of trim.
So
let's get started with the evaluation process on how each of these phases
affect the overall well being of a horse. For sustainable hoof wall integrity,
balance and healthy growth the loading phase of a hoof has a direct
relationship between the size of the hoof (the foundation) and the weight of
the horse. Do we have truck tires on a truck, or car tires on a truck? Of all
the hoof problems I see, this sizing (the foundation) issue seems to be one
that is most often over-looked, and in some cases, is created by an
over-aggressive trim.
A
formula that is easy to remember, and very effective (I believe) in determining the correct
size shoe/hoof for the weight of a horse is as follows. For a 1,200-pound
horse, discard the first digit, the 1, the second digit, the 2, will help
determine the correct size shoe/hoof (foundation) that is appropriate for the
weight of a 1,200 - pound horse. In this example the correct size shoe/hoof is
a size 2 shoe. This formula is based on Saint Croix Eventer type shoes.
Trimmers, it might be a good idea to carry around a selection of at least one
shoe of each size for a reference. This simple formula helps to determine
the correct size hoof/shoe (foundation) a horse should have to support the
forces being applied to the hoof walls, sole and frog.
Sole
thickness (depth) is an area of great concern. Whether a horse is going
barefoot or shod, sole depth should be addressed and determined before any
major alignment issues are attempted. Accurate radiographs, hoof testers and
the reading of the collateral groves should always be used to help determine
the thickness of the sole and hoof/coffin bone angle before any major alignment is
attempted. There are three major structures that support the medial and
lateral walls. These major support structures are: the laminae attachment of
the coffin bone to the hoof wall, the integrity of the dorsal wall to the medial
and lateral quarters, and the quality and thickness of the sole. When one or
more of these major structures is compromised the additional stress applied to
the other support structures may start to fail. Hoof wall problems
like, flares, loss of sole depth/concavity (prolapsed soles), white line
disease, and medial lateral imbalances all have one thing in common and that
is lack of hoof wall integrity! Many times if these minor failures are not
recognized and addressed early on, they will result in more debilitating issues
like mechanical laminitis. Establishing basic guide lines, like hoof alignment,
hoof wall integrity, sole depth and balance are extremely important to
recognize and understand when assessing hooves before any type of trim is
attempted. Remember we are not there to make feet shorter. We are there to make
feet effective, efficient, structures so horses are comfortable.
Hoof
integrity,
also known as uniformity of hoof wall and sole thickness, is
critical to recognize and understand before removing any hoof! The
general
health and condition of a hoof wall, sole and frog are a very effective
and an
accurate diagnostic tools. The old adage "no hoof no horse" is true.
However finding the correct answer to "what type of trim for a hoof"
is as difficult to answer as "what is the answer to happiness." It
depends who you ask. Unfortunately "what type of trim" is an area of
great debate and misunderstanding. What adds even more of a challenge
to
this debate is the lack of understanding, misinformation, and general
confusion
on "what is the objective of the trim?" If there is bruising,
abscess, tearing of the laminae, excessive breakage and overall general
tenderness of a hoof, the answer is right here, too much pressure for
the walls
to support. Now that we know there is too much pressure on the hoof
walls what
do we do? It's the lack of hoof wall integrity that's the problem. It's
often
not the sole or frog that is causing the lameness, it's the loss of hoof
wall
integrity that's causing the lameness issue. Look at the condition of
the hoof walls. What do the growth rings
show us about the way the hoof is growing? We now see what is actually
failing!
It's the hoof wall that is failing on many of these tender, thin soled,
negative palmar angle hooves. These hoof imbalances start off as minor
hoof
wall problems (failures), unfortunately if left unrecognized and
untreated
these minor failures lead to major lameness issues like mechanical
laminitis.
The common denominator in most of these lameness issues is the inability
of a
hoof wall to tolerate changes. Minor variations can and do affect the
over
all health of a horse and the structural integrity of the hoof walls the
soles. Some of these variations happen due to the environment, stress,
conformation, genetics, or
dietary problems. Any one of these variables can have a direct result
on
the health and quality of a hoof.
Unfortunately
some trimming methods "throw the baby out with the bath water" by
aggressively removing flares and dishes that often led to overloading of the
soles and frogs. A farrier's flawed approach might be to add pads, heart
bars, egg bars, or hybrid shoes which often lead to further deterioration of
the soles and walls. A trimmer's flawed approach might be to dismiss all other
methods other than their current guru, change the footing (river rock), or use
boots to simply get the horse (owner) comfortable. These methods at best treat
the result of these hoof wall failures, and may take a year or more before any
major changes (comfort) are seen. Equicast's wrapping method and substrate material
supports the site of failure the hoof walls as well as the result of wall
failures like, white line disease, flares, and thin soles. How can casting
address both the cause and result of hoof wall problems? Casting creates a
banding effect as well as adding vertical integrity to the whole hoof capsule.
Equicast's substrate design and wrapping process adds vertical integrity and
lateral stability to the whole hoof capsule, which assists in a sustainable and
dynamic support structure. How? The added lateral stability and vertical
integrity helps reduce excessive stress on the laminae at the most distal
aspect of the hoof capsule. This dynamic stabilization wrapping process
increases vertical integrity and lateral stability to the whole hoof (walls,
sole, and frog) for better sole depth, better integrity, and concavity, which
will help in establishing better palmar angles for proper biomechanics. So
understanding the need to read hooves along with the correct size hoof for the
weight of the horse and a healthy sole is critical in understanding what size
and angle a hoof should be and what should or should not be trimmed on any
given hoof.
Something
as simple as supplementing the site of failure (casting) will help nature restore a
natural and efficient support structure that will assist with two processes of sustainable growth (increasing the
efficiency of both the hemodynamic and lymphatic systems. This is where having
a short-term plan with long-range goals is vital for sustainable hoof capsule
integrity.
I
hope this article has help explained the objective of effective trim as
well as the challenges we face everyday when we pick up a hoof to trim.
Out of all this, the one that needs us the most to understand what a
trim does and the reason we continue to educate ourselves about trimming
techniques is the one that will benefit the most from our
dedication...The Horse. Thanks for taking the time to read this article.
Your
thoughts and comments are important to me so please contact
me your information is important to me - dave@equicast.com or give me a call (910) 690-7463.
I live in North Carolina.
Together
we can improve on both the art and science of trimming.
Dave Richards
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