Foot Balance

Question 1

What should be assessed with the hoof?

Answer 1

• Symmetry
• Coronary band injury / defect
• Length + angulation
• Shoe fit, type + wear
• Horn quality / solar thickness
• Cracks

Question 2

Which feet have a steeper angulation?

Answer 2

• Hindfeet - bigger different between front of hoof length and back of hoof length

Question 3

How would you perform a dynamic assessment?

Answer 3

• Walk = soundness, stride length + symmetry
  -Footfall (Foot land lateral/toe/heel/medial first),
  -Tracking up / overtracking / plaiting / forging
• Trot = soundness / symmetry (listen + observe)
  -stride length, tracking up
  -footfall, interference, dishing out / in

Question 4

What should be done with Palmar foot pain / navicular disease?

Answer 4

• toe to heel should be 3:1 - if not correct
• Raised coronary band = more pressure over raised area
• Tx = wedge to raise the heel - trim hoof so heel strengthens and keep the toe short

Question 5

What should be done with lameness due to foot imbalance

Answer 5

• Toe out confirmation (charlie chaplin)
• Sole all worn down
• Tx = glue shoe - no nails

Question 6

What should be done with quarter cracks due to poor foot balance?

Answer 6

• Stress fractures starting from coronary band
• Loading on outside of feet
• Shoe probably causing problem
• Tx = shoe with adequate support