Page 66 • NOVEMBER 2011 • HORSEMAN’S NEWS Hoof Talk What is Hoof


Balance? by Charley Bunyea With all of the semantics, issues and


opinions associated with hoof balance, it is often a subject that can be shrouded in mystery for both the farrier, veterinarian and horse owner alike. While there are many theories and methods used in order to attain a properly balanced hoof, it can be agreed that the basic criteria remain constant throughout the process. Balanced hooves help balance a


horses body, absorb shock, dissipate con- cussion, provide traction and circulate blood which are all important factors for healthy growth. The word balance is defined as, “A


state of even distribution of weight or amount.” When a hoof has been properly balanced there exists an even distribution of weight across the solar surface of the foot. This even distribution minimizes stress concentrated to a specific area and helps the tendons, ligaments and joints to work harmoniously. Weight bearing should be shared between the frog, bars,


caudal sole, sole callous and hoof wall. Newtons third law states that the


mutual forces of action and reaction between two bodies are equal and oppo- site. Problems in the hooves often mani- fest as problems in the body, therefore it is important that the position of the foot is relative to the limb above it. This first and foremost is the main reason why a hoof should be properly balanced. When the hoof hits the ground it is


important that the ground reaction force is evenly distributed across the foot because this force travels upwards and dissipates through the leg. Hoof growth and function is influ-


enced by environmental diversity, move- ment and hoof shape. A commonly known fact among farriers is that new growth follows old growth and a horse will tell you where it is most comfortable just by reading the ground surface of its hooves. It important to read each hoof as an individual and assess wear patterns in order to achieve the best possible trim- ming senario for the horse. There are certain landmarks that a


farrier can use in order to achieve a bal- anced hoof. These landmarks are wide


and vary with each horse but if used often they don’t take much time to see and can be accomplished rather efficiently.


HOOF BALANCE LANDMARKS - In general the widest part of the hoof going medial to lateral should be the same length as the hoof wall from the toe to the coronary band. This helps the cof- fin joint inside the foot to rotate around the center of articulation.


- The coronary band should be parallel with the ground surface that the hoof is standing on.


- The dorsal hoof wall and pastern (hoof pastern axis) and shoulder of the horse should all be at the same angle for proper alignment. A foot with a broken back axis would have crushed or collapsed heels and a foot with a broken forward axis would result in clubbed feet, both of which require special trimming or shoe- ing.


- The heels should be trimmed back to the widest point of the frog for optimal sup- port and the hoof wall should be rasped at a 45 degree angle around the entire weight bearing surface of the foot in order to maintain structural stability of the wall.


- The optimal point of breakover at the toe should be about 3/4” to 1 1/2” in front of the tip of the frog depending on the size of the foot.


- As a farrier, it’s not about what you take, its what you leave. The thickness of the sole, frog and bar should all be taken into account for the particular horse. Even sole thickness and concavity pro- vide structural integrity.


- Hoof wall flares should only be removed from the mid portion of the hoof wall down.


- Ground surface mass should be distrib- uted so that 2/3 of the ground mass is behind the widest part of the foot and 1/3 is ahead of the widest point of the foot to the point of break over.


Charley Bunyea is a farrier in Monterey Bay, California. If you have any questions please write to farriercharley@me.com


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