Farrier Assessment

Question 0

The main difference between a front and hind hoof is:

Answer 0

Shape.

Front hooves are round. where as the hind hooves are spade shaped for better turning.

Question 1

If the hind hooves are trimmed for a more round shape, what is a possible connected issue?

Answer 1

Hind end and stifle problems

Question 2

True or False: hoof ‘dressing’ applied once daily is enough to help keep hooves healthy

Answer 2

False, the dressing itself is not enough. Additionally most are oil based and sit on the surface of the wall

Question 3

The ideal approximate moisture content of the hoof wall, sole and frog are:

Answer 3

Hoof wall - 25%
Sole - 30%
Frog - up to 50%

Question 4

A cost effective alternative to hoof dressing is

Answer 4

Soaking the horses hooves or in the summer over flow the water trough so horse can stand in mud

Question 5

If an unsound horse is not responding to proper farrier work…

Answer 5

This is another underlying issue that needs to be addressed

Question 6

True or False: hoof dressing cannot be applied often enough to make a difference.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

True or False: results in the hoof can be noticed in a month

Answer 7

False. It takes 6 weeks - 3 months to notice a difference in the hoof growth

Question 8

True or False: neglect is the number one issue of poor quality feet

Answer 8

True

Question 9

True or False: navicular is usually connective tissue damage and less often actual damage to any of the bones

Answer 9

True

Question 10

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

Answer 10

False

Question 11

True or False: horses that spend a majority of their time in a stall have circulation problems

Answer 11

True. The blood flow is restricted want you will often see them shifting their weight while standing

Question 12

True or False: having shoes on a horse takes away from the body’s ability to naturally maintain circulation

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

True or False: heart bar shows help to improve circulation.

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

True or False: a properly balanced foot has 2/3 of the foot behind the apex of the frog

Answer 14

True

Question 15

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?

Answer 15

It causes a negative pressure while hoof is off the ground and it creates better shock absorption.

Question 16

Having too high of a heel on front hooves can cause what?

Answer 16

The horse may stand camped under and this will cause shoulder problems

Question 17

When a horse stands camped out on the front end, what can be expected of the hooves?

Answer 17

Long toe low heel

Question 18

When a horse is constantly standing camped out with their front end, what other issues can arise throughout the body?

Answer 18

Shoulder issues and back pain from having a hollow back consistently

Question 19

If a horse has properly balanced hooves but still stands camped out, where do you do from here?

Answer 19

Look higher up for injury or conformation faults that are causing the horse to stand this way

Question 20

What is duckets dot?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Where is duckets dot?

Answer 21

Is found on the apex of the from. About 1 thumb width from the point of the frog measuring caudally towards the heel

Question 22

What hoof imbalance can cause a horse to stand camped out in front?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

What quality to reining riders like in a horse and why is it not always correct?

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

What does a horse standing camped out in the hind cause for the rest of the skeletal structure?

Answer 24

Back is hollow and the pelvis is rotated forward and flatter

Question 25

What is a common miss conception with ‘long toe low heel’

Answer 25

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

Question 26

When a horse has long toe low heel, they are doing what to their circulation?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

If horse is reactive to driving nails when the shoe is being fitted, what could be compromised

Answer 27

Circulation in the hoof itself

Question 28

When a hoof grows out and the wall flares, what is being stretched without the hoof walls

Answer 28

As the wall grows away, the connective tissue and laminae is being stretched

Question 29

If you can balance a horses foot what else might happen?

Answer 29

If the foot is trimmed and balanced, some other issues may correct themselves

Question 30

What is the most common cause of lameness in a horse

Answer 30

Long toe low heel

Question 31

While long toe low heel can have negative effects, what can result from having too upright of a foot

Answer 31

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

Question 32

With long toe low heel also watch for what changes in the foot?

Answer 32

Structural changes and cracking in the quarters due to the pressure on the wall

Question 33

What is one possible reason for rapid hoof growth in laminitic horses?

Answer 33

The body is trying to self heal by producing more growth

Question 34

What can be done to the heel if there are shoes on a laminitic horse?

Answer 34

Extend the bars of the shoe as far back as possible to support heel. (If safe to do so)

Question 35

What can you tell from seeing rings in the hoof wall?

Answer 35

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

Question 36

What problem do foundered horses have if they have a very upright foot

Answer 36

The coffin bone is then pointing down and pushing everything under it back (digital cushion)

Question 37

What is the purpose of toe or quarter clips on a shoe

Answer 37

To take stress off the nails

Question 38

What is the downfall to a shoe with clips

Answer 38

It restricts the expansion and contraction of the foot

Question 39

What is a laminitic wedge

Answer 39

It is when the hoof wall is pulling away from the coffin bone

Question 40

True or False the shape of the coffin bone can depict the shape of the hoof

Answer 40

True

Question 41

True or False most horses have a significant amount of sole pressure when standing

Answer 41

True

Question 42

True or False improper saddle fit and rider imbalance can cause circulation issues

Answer 42

True

Question 43

Seedy toe

Answer 43

Leverage on the hoof wall, stretching the white line. Allowing pockets for crud to get in

Question 44

Low ringbone

Answer 44

Between coffin bone & short pastern

Question 45

High ringbone

Answer 45

Between long and short pastern bones