Shoeing Horses the Wrong Way, How it Destroys
Correct horseshoeing is an absolute must. Finding the right Farrier is crucial if you want to exercise "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" and keep your equine friend free from lameness throughout its life.
Simply put, there are shoeing methods that are faulted which can and do lead to your worst nightmare -lameness. Obviously you want to steer clear away from these types of methods.
One such method is the practice of placing a shoe on the foot rearward but without rasping the extra hoof hanging over the shoe at the toe. You'll recognize this method just by looking at the horse while standing- you'll see the hoof hanging over the toe area of the shoe - it will look as though the shoe is not fitting correctly.
Moving the shoe toward the rear of the foot is actually a good idea but leaving the toe hanging over the shoe is not. Explanation follows: The shoe to the rear (the good idea) actually helps the foot travel - the foot will break over easier reducing stress on the tendons in the leg and foot, especially the deep flexor tendon.
The "bad idea" (not rasping the toe back) causes the hoof at the toe to still come in contact with the ground. The contact with the ground is the bad part. By that part of the hoof still contacting the ground the contact stimulates the foot to keep growing forward - which is the opposite of what you were trying to accomplish by moving the shoe to the rear of the foot in the first place. As the foot continues to grow forward in invariably pulls the heels with it (under slung heels) or (sheered heels) which is yet another problem.
The reasoning behind "Not" rasping the extra toe off of the hoof wall is simply the worry the rasping will weaken the hoof wall at that point. In theory you could agree. However a 16 year study with rasping the toe as far back as possible has produced not one single issue or problem "Ever". The correct method is to place the shoe to the rear to improve foot travel and "Rasp" the excess hoof wall at the toe. Have the hoof wall at the toe rasped back to the shoe so it not only "IS" correct but looks correct as well. By doing so you'll prevent hoof wall stretch due to the excess toe and you'll reduce tendon and ligament stress as well as coffin bone torque and rotation and more.
There is much more to shoeing horses than is commonly understood. Textbooks and Farrier schools are outdated and teaching faulty methods to Farriers who then go off and ruin horses - possibly your horse. Let's prevent the possibility of lameness.
The author of this article has a 16 year 100% track record - "Not One Single Lame Horse" under "Any" condition and any riding style. You can get his method by simply visiting the website below in the Author Bio.
Thank you, safe and sound riding and remember to Care4Horses.
Reprint rights allowed providing nothing is changed.
Related Tags: foot, western, saddle, frog, riding, shoe, laminitis, horseshoeing, founder, navicular, horses.lameness, heel
Author Bio: John Silveira, Farrier, Aikido practitioner, spiritualist, born and raised in San Mateo California the bay area. For information on his shoeing method and the 100% track record just go to http://Care4Horses.com and leave contact information. thank you and remember to Care4Horses
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