Hi all,
I have updated my hoof pictures of Bridie with x-rays and pictures of
Bridie's feet and progress this includes x-rays and hoof picts from
05 to Jan 08. I have organized the picts so you can see the
comparisons from 05 of each set of picts through to 06-07-08. Would
the hoof gurus take a look please and comment. I have a couple
questions for you. Bridie had muliple founders, although the first
founder rotation in the winter/spring of 05th was pretty nasty. The
subsequent rotation in the fall of 06 was not nearly as severe. In
restrospect this was due to a combination of winter laminitis, s/s/
hay below 7% is a must! for her in winter especially I have found.
The lower the better for the fall winter months given the Cushing's
and severity of her I.R. Also stict control of Cushing's via meds. I
think the contributing factors for the set back in the fall/winter of
06 were the previous sustained damage prior to a correct diagnosis
and DDT. The seasonal ACTH rise with the Cushing's and compounding
winter cold lamminitis effect and enhanced I.R. that comes with the
severe cold and seasonal rise in -15 and below temps. Pergolide 1.75
mg Jan 08 reduced after the seasonal high from 2.25mg at her peak in
Oct 07 down to 2.mg for Dec 07 and now should be good until Aug of 08
based on lab work. Jan her ACTH cam back 6.7 from 3 to 10 range, so
I am happy with that and I kept her between the ideal values with
meds for the fall/winter of 07- 08. At present she seems to be doing
very well and this is the first fall we have had no set backs with
any rotation............Ye ha..... I will not jumpfor joy until May
though. I have a couple questions for the hoof gurus. I noted on the
left sole front hoof by the frog it seems to separated slightly
wondering if any one can comment on this for me. Also right left rear
sole shot on the inside of the hoof it is wider than the out side. I
do not beleive this is correct and requires trimming, am I correct on
this? I guess my farrier is a right handed and on the left rear it
makes it a bit more difficult to trim as even, am I correct? Will
have to keep an eye out for this if I am?

Thanks
Angela
jarrahbrearebreazebridie

--- In EquineCushings@..., "jarrahbrearebreazebridie"
<jarrah@...> wrote:
Op's I hit send, prior to adding the link.

http://pets.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings/photos

Under Bridie Oct 10 05 or try
http://pets.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings/photos/browse/f32a

http://pets.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings/photos/browse/?
b=1&m=l

Angela
jarrahbrearebreazebridie

left sole front hoof by the frog it seems to separated slightly
wondering if any one can comment on this for me. >

I do not really see this in the latest picture. Can you post one that
shows it more clearly?


Also right left rear

sole shot on the inside of the hoof it is wider than the out side.

I do not beleive this is correct and requires trimming.>

This cannot be corrected by trimming, unless an unbalanced trim is
causing this flaring on the lateral side of both hooves. This comes
from how your horse steps behind. Most horses have a slightly toed
out conformation behind which helps them clear the front, but it also
causes the horse to step more on the inside edge of the hooves first
and then on the outside edge. This means that the inside generally
wears more, while the outside flares more. As long as the hooves are
trimmed balanced, the horse should be fine. The fronts appear to be
doing the same thing by the way.

What I do not like to see is the fact that these hooves still look to
high in the heels to me and may also not be completely balanced from
side to side. It is difficult to determine though because there are
no shots looking straight down at the heels with the foot up.

The fronts are also still much too contracted, which usually comes
with high heels as well. Leaving the heels high will foster heel
contraction over time.

Ute

According to Susan E. Harris in her book, "Horse Gaits, Balance and
Movement", cannons of the hind legs should be vertical and parallel,
but the stifles and toes normally point somewhat outward. This permits
the stifles to engage far forward without bumping against the belly. In
this same line, the feet should point outward at the same angle as the
stifles to avoid stress on the joints. This gives straight movement
with maximum engagement.

Cow hocks have the hocks pointed inward with cannons and toes angled
outward which gives crooked movement with rotation of hocks and causes
grinding stress to the bones of the hock.

None of this seems to have any connection with "clear the front." K.C.
LaPierre talked about the natural roll of the hoof in the heel first
landing. I can't remember if it was lateral to medial or the other way.
True a horse may stand or move incorrectly which will show up as inside
high or outside high until muscles relax on their own or through
therapy and he feels comfortable using new movement over the course of
correct trimming.

Cheryl

--- In EquineCushings@..., "Ute" <ute@...> wrote:

Most horses have a slightly toed

out conformation behind which helps them clear the front, but it also
causes the horse to step more on the inside edge of the hooves first
and then on the outside edge.

According to Susan E. Harris in her book, "Horse Gaits, Balance and
Movement", cannons of the hind legs should be vertical and

parallel,

but the stifles and toes normally point somewhat outward. This

permits

the stifles to engage far forward without bumping against the

belly. In

this same line, the feet should point outward at the same angle as

the

stifles to avoid stress on the joints. This gives straight movement
with maximum engagement." Bingo, hence the toed out condormation I

tend to see behind

None of this seems to have any connection with "clear the front." '>

But that does not mean that it is not a part of why horses
confromation tends to be like this behind. Perhaps it does help to
clear the fronts at max speed, as this photo demonstrates:
http://pictopia.com/perl/gal?
gallery_id=11406&process=gallery&provider_id=368&ptp_photo_id=bloodhor
se%3A708504&sequencenum=0&page=

True a horse may stand or move incorrectly which will show up as

inside high or outside high until muscles relax on their own or
through therapy and he feels comfortable using new movement over the
course of > correct trimming.>

Even with correct trimming will the horse wear the hooves the way it
prefers to move. In addition, some muscles that are locked up will
never release on their own and need the help of a body worker.

Ute

" Bingo, hence the toed out condormation I tend to see behind
Thanks for the information on this particular issue with gaits. Will
you please change the heading to reflect this subject for further
discussion. I am concerned people will be confused and this has gone
side wards with regards to Bridies hoof input. Thanks all:)
My original intent regarding Bridie's feet and what I had hoped to
discuss in detail, was any issues Bridie has with her hoofs at this
juncture? What specifically is required to correct any issues? Details
pertaining to and clarification on how this is to be effectively
obtained. What are the measures to be taken for these correction? What
options are available to obtain these corrections? What is required in
order to accomplish this for Bridie, myself and my Farrier? and what
are the expectations thus far with time frames to accomplish any or all
hoof issues that are noted? If additional pics or information is
required to accomplish this endeavour? I would greatly appreciate any
feed back on Bridies hoof picts at
http://pets.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings/photos
Under Bridie Oct 10 05 or try
http://pets.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings/photos/browse/f32a
Any assitance is appreciated Thanks again :)
Angela
jarrahbrearebreazebridie

My original intent regarding Bridie's feet and what I had hoped to
discuss in detail, was any issues Bridie has with her hoofs at this
juncture? What specifically is required to correct any issues?

As mentioned before, your horses front feet are still very contracted,
which confirms that the heels are still left to high. The retention of
sole is another sigh that confirms this and also indicates that the
hooves do not get enough movemment to release the retained sole.

Your farrier, trimmer needs to trim/establish correct heel height that
will allow for decontraction, combined with needed exercise to
encourage healthy hoof growth, plus he/she needs to ensure that the
hooves are also laterally balanced, in other words the heels on both
sides need to be of equal length (equal collateral groove depth). I
have the feeling that this may not be the case with this horse, but
pictures that would show that are not available.

Ute

Angela, goodness knows my strength is not hooves so I'm hoping Abby, Eleanor or Dr. John will chime in.

I do see via x-rays for front left that the toe needs to come back. And I also agree that heels need to come down further.

Amberlee
www.fivepineranch.com
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