Many
of us are happy to allow our horses to 'go barefoot'. We see the
benefits of a more natural program. We don't like pounding nails
into the hoof every 6 weeks. We understand that metal may not be
the best composite to secure live tissue. Shoeing is expensive
and good farriers require excessive love and adoration, but what
choice do we have? If we consider pulling the shoes, our horses
may well be lame. Then when we put the shoes back on, he trots
off happily. What is the difference? How can some horses go
successfully barefoot and others have no end of trouble?
Metal Shoes
There
are many factors that contribute to the long-term success of a
barefoot program. When a farrier comes to shoe your horse, he
trims him flat and level, even and balanced. He removes the
sloughing off dead tissue and makes the hoof look neat and tidy.
He is aware of the shape of the frog, bars and sole but needs
only to clean this up and get a clear picture. His job is to
make sure the shoe goes on securely and will shape it to the
trim he's done. The nails should not go through sensitive tissue
and it all needs to look good, consistent and uniform. The only
thing making contact with the ground is the metal shoe.
Significant Structures
Let's
talk about what happens when we don't put the shoes on. What
happens when the trio of significant structures, namely the
frog, bars and are not lifted by the metal shoe? What happens
when the bars end up level with the wall? What happens when the
frog makes contact before the walls? How does it feel when the
sole makes contact with the ground at the same time as the outer
walls? The sole's function should be secondary, not primary,
passive not active. So let's answer this simple question - it
hurts!
Hoof Function
A
miraculous structure, hoofs support the weight of 1000 lbs. in
motion. The walls expand and widen apart to draw the sole flat.
With the sole's leveling downward towards the ground the bone
column is invited to descend. Thank you, now we don't have to
bruise the solar corium. Now we can absorb shock and concussion
the way we're meant to do.
Extra Attention
If
the bars make contact at the same time as the wall, our
expansion function is immobilized. The bar contact, does not
allow the sole to draw out. Its position just keeps the hoof
static and the pressure of making this primary contact actually
exerts upward on the internal structures. Our goal is to allow
the hoof to do the job. That means it must function with
mobility, elasticity and as a unit. One function cannot suppress
another. Simply remind your farrier to pair out the bars so that
they can function together with the sole. Ask for attention so
that the sole does not make contact at the same time as the
walls. Simple. Yes. Under stood? Probably. Practiced? Rarely
-because there is no need with a traditional metal shoe job.
Frogs and Other Big Deals
The
third party in our trio of significant structures is the frog.
Although it can be quite malleable, often compared to the
consistency of an over aged dairy product, it is tough and
conducts a systemic symphony with the horse's most important
organ - the heart! It's all about blood, nutrients and
circulation. That's the key. We really don't want to compromise
this gelatinous big cheese. The frog should at least not make
contact with the ground before the walls do and at best, be
recessed to make secondary contact as the sole draws flat.
The
most important factors in a successful barefoot program are:
- Proper hoof function
and hoof mechanism
- Movement &
Exercise
- Hydration
- Hard Ground
- Frequent trims
tailored to the barefoot horse!
- Friends &
Socialization
Where The Rubber Meets the Road
Our
purpose is to discuss the application of horse boots as an
alternative to metal shoes. The idea that horses can be barefoot
is not new. Horses have a long history of barefoot performance
and have carried fully armored, full sized men into battle. They
have been used for fieldwork, war and performance in their
natural barefoot state.
When
the horse's weight descends, the hoof is sandwiched between that
load and the ground. It is meant to spread apart upon weight
bearing, with the coffin bone dropping down like a trampoline.
This is the natural shock-absorbing feature of the hoof. The
walls spread apart (up to 10mm from side to side) and the sole
draws flat. Horses with this elasticity and hoof function are
most adequately prepared to absorb shock and concussion. When
metal is nailed in all around • how does the hoof perform its
duty? Where is the shock absorbed? Perhaps it's absorbed in the
sensitive tissue of the hoof or further up the structure of the
leg. Perhaps the market proliferation of products containing
glucosamines, MSM and anti inflammatories are really an
indication of our inadequate understanding of the shock
absorbing features of the hoof. Perhaps if we allow our horses
to function naturally they would not be showing increasing
symptoms of pain and discomfort.
The
metal shoe is nailed on when the hoof is in the air. It is at
its smallest, most contracted shape. It is not weight-bearing or
in movement, and is held firm in this state by the metal - no
expansion and nowhere for the coffin bone to descend. As the
coffin bone pushes down under the horse's weight, it is then
bruising the solar corium which cannot expand and draw flat to
get out of the way.
Can
Navicular Syndrome be the pain caused as a result of the
bruising of the solar corium? Is it the pressure from the
descending coffin bone or is it the damaged bone that is
painful? Under X-rays the bone is shown to be deteriorating.
These enlarged areas and lack of bone structure could be a
result of congested blood, and lack of circulation causing the
arteries to swell. When the arteries swell, can they then push
against the bone and be the cause of deterioration to bone
spongiosa? Coupled with the stress on ligaments and tendons, and
the irritation of connective tissue, pain results. The horse is
diagnosed Navicular. We have bar shoes applied and the horse
walks off sound. We think the bar shoes are a fabulous cure for
Navicular, when what is really happening may be just the
opposite. Even less circulation! In a normal horseshoe shape the
frog still was making some contact with the ground and blood was
flowing through. Now with a bar across the heel circulation is
further limited. The horse walks off sound, because he cannot
feel. His hoof is numb and the damage continues.
Horses
were first shod before we understood the physiology of the hoof
and certainly before we had our current level of technology.
Today's compounds have far greater shock absorbing features than
metal. If you take a metal shoe and bang it against a rock, you
will feel the reverberation all the way up your arm. Horse boots
can absorb concussion, rather than transmit it, so that the
sensitive Lamellae of the hoof is not compromised but supported.
The main support system of the coffin bone can remain strong and
integral when the high frequency vibration of impact on metal is
not constantly jarring.
Circulation
is imperative to the distribution of nutrients throughout the
system. Healthy blood flow aids in prevention and facilitates
healing. When flow is limited degeneration takes place.
Encourage the blood to circulate with ease through the proper
channels; carrying a host of nutrients; and you will have a
healthy hoof. Allow the hoof to expand as it is meant to, and
the strain to extensor tendons and lateral cartilage will be
relieved. Support proper hoof function and alleviate the
devastating results of ossification. Keep your horse barefoot
for at least a portion of the year, use horse boots when you
ride, and you will have taken the first steps in utilizing the
fruits of technology towards a better understanding of our long
time servant and companion. We now have an opportunity to
re-examine the way we treat our horse's feet. Call your farrier
in to discuss the possibilities. Your farrier should be your
best friend as you will need him to trim and visit more
frequently once your horse has fully functioning, growing and
alive feet.
There
are numerous hoofcare and trimming experts, and you may want to
research some of their work. Here are a few names to get you
started:
- Dr Chris
Pollitt,
BVSc PhD conducted a study on the benefits of blood
circulation and hoof expansion on barefoot horses.
- Dr. Hildrud
Strasser,
DVM is the author of several textbooks on lameness and
healing.
- Robert
Bowker,
VMD, PhD authored studies on blood circulation, hoof loading
patterns and laminitis
- Gene Ovnicek
speaks on Wild Horse Patterns and Lameness Prevention
Wishing
you many Happy Barefoot Trails!
Carole Herder, President of Cavallo Horse & Rider
http://www.cavallo-inc.com/hoofcare/education.html
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