Farrier Assessment Flashcards
The main difference between a front and hind hoof is:
Shape.
Front hooves are round. where as the hind hooves are spade shaped for better turning.
If the hind hooves are trimmed for a more round shape, what is a possible connected issue?
Hind end and stifle problems
True or False: hoof ‘dressing’ applied once daily is enough to help keep hooves healthy
False, the dressing itself is not enough. Additionally most are oil based and sit on the surface of the wall
The ideal approximate moisture content of the hoof wall, sole and frog are:
Hoof wall - 25%
Sole - 30%
Frog - up to 50%
A cost effective alternative to hoof dressing is
Soaking the horses hooves or in the summer over flow the water trough so horse can stand in mud
If an unsound horse is not responding to proper farrier work…
This is another underlying issue that needs to be addressed
True or False: hoof dressing cannot be applied often enough to make a difference.
True
True or False: results in the hoof can be noticed in a month
False. It takes 6 weeks - 3 months to notice a difference in the hoof growth
True or False: neglect is the number one issue of poor quality feet
True
True or False: navicular is usually connective tissue damage and less often actual damage to any of the bones
True
True or False: using hoof testers on either side of the heel bulbs, as well as on the mid frog/hoof wall are tests for navicular
False
True or False: horses that spend a majority of their time in a stall have circulation problems
True. The blood flow is restricted want you will often see them shifting their weight while standing
True or False: having shoes on a horse takes away from the body’s ability to naturally maintain circulation
True. By adding a shoe, the hoof does not fully come in contact with the ground when weight bearing. Therefor the foot is not able to properly pump blood back up the legs.
True or False: heart bar shows help to improve circulation.
Both. True that the shoes transfer weight from wall to frog to help pump the blood back up the limb, though constant frog pressure is not good either.
True or False: a properly balanced foot has 2/3 of the foot behind the apex of the frog
True
The more rigid a hoof, the more it forces blood flow through the foot. Which causes what kind of pressure when the foot is lifted. What benefit does this have to the hooves?
It causes a negative pressure while hoof is off the ground and it creates better shock absorption.
Having too high of a heel on front hooves can cause what?
The horse may stand camped under and this will cause shoulder problems
When a horse stands camped out on the front end, what can be expected of the hooves?
Long toe low heel
When a horse is constantly standing camped out with their front end, what other issues can arise throughout the body?
Shoulder issues and back pain from having a hollow back consistently
If a horse has properly balanced hooves but still stands camped out, where do you do from here?
Look higher up for injury or conformation faults that are causing the horse to stand this way
What is duckets dot?
A farrier principle stating that 1/3 of the hoof should be in front of this point and 2/3 behind for a balanced hoof
Where is duckets dot?
Is found on the apex of the from. About 1 thumb width from the point of the frog measuring caudally towards the heel
What hoof imbalance can cause a horse to stand camped out in front?
Of the hoof is too upright and the heels are too high the horse may lean back to where the heel should be to naturally correct themselves
What quality to reining riders like in a horse and why is it not always correct?
Camped under in the hind. It is believed that they can get under themselves better for a sliding stop when actually the horse is not moving or using its body correctly.
What does a horse standing camped out in the hind cause for the rest of the skeletal structure?
Back is hollow and the pelvis is rotated forward and flatter
What is a common miss conception with ‘long toe low heel’
It is believed that there is not enough heel when really the heel has been left to grow. The weight of the horse has the heel growing forward towards the toe and weight of the horse is crushing the heel underneath itself
When a horse has long toe low heel, they are doing what to their circulation?
Impeding and restriction circulation. There is not the proper pump action from a correctly trimmed foot hitting the ground and pumping blood back up the limb
If horse is reactive to driving nails when the shoe is being fitted, what could be compromised
Circulation in the hoof itself
When a hoof grows out and the wall flares, what is being stretched without the hoof walls
As the wall grows away, the connective tissue and laminae is being stretched
If you can balance a horses foot what else might happen?
If the foot is trimmed and balanced, some other issues may correct themselves
What is the most common cause of lameness in a horse
Long toe low heel
While long toe low heel can have negative effects, what can result from having too upright of a foot
There can still be circulation issues as there is not the same pump action. Also concussion issues, being too upright has less shock absorbing effect within the hoof
With long toe low heel also watch for what changes in the foot?
Structural changes and cracking in the quarters due to the pressure on the wall
What is one possible reason for rapid hoof growth in laminitic horses?
The body is trying to self heal by producing more growth
What can be done to the heel if there are shoes on a laminitic horse?
Extend the bars of the shoe as far back as possible to support heel. (If safe to do so)
What can you tell from seeing rings in the hoof wall?
Like in a tree a foot under stress can develop rings in growth. Look for where the rings are stretched and compressed to see what areas are under what pressure
What problem do foundered horses have if they have a very upright foot
The coffin bone is then pointing down and pushing everything under it back (digital cushion)
What is the purpose of toe or quarter clips on a shoe
To take stress off the nails
What is the downfall to a shoe with clips
It restricts the expansion and contraction of the foot
What is a laminitic wedge
It is when the hoof wall is pulling away from the coffin bone
True or False the shape of the coffin bone can depict the shape of the hoof
True
True or False most horses have a significant amount of sole pressure when standing
True
True or False improper saddle fit and rider imbalance can cause circulation issues
True
Seedy toe
Leverage on the hoof wall, stretching the white line. Allowing pockets for crud to get in
Low ringbone
Between coffin bone & short pastern
High ringbone
Between long and short pastern bones
