ttt hoof care
In humans, it is believed that the side dominance is caused by how the developing fetus is bent in the womb and how this imprints the fascial development (Te Endless Web: Fascial Anatomy and Physical Reality). Fascia is the ultimate support system of the whole body— it connects everything. Equines are probably similarly affected during their development in the womb.
Side Dominance and Hoof Form by a horse’s side dominance
Hoof form is affected by Ute Philippi, LMP/LAMP H
orses are side dominant, just like humans are, and this comes with very predictable postural habits.
Amazingly, few horse people seem to make this connection. Most are aware of the symptoms related to side dominance but not where they are coming from:
• Difficulty turning into one direction • Horse prefers one canter lead to the other
• Horse is stronger on one side, weaker on the other
• Horse braces more on one side versus the other
Unfortunately riders and trainers often label such symptoms as resistance, and assume the horse is willfully being difficult. In reality, it can be hard for a horse to perform certain movements,
PHOTO ABOVE: Left side dominant 4-month-old foal
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depending on their side dominance, and how uneven the horse’s muscle development is side-to-side. Asking an owner to write 10 times “I love my horse” with their non-dominant hand (and nicely too, please) usually puts these unrealistic, unfair expectations into perspective for most humans.
For example, try crossing your arms the “other” way (not the way you usually do) and note what your body tells you when you do. Horses also do whatever is most comfortable for them; their heads don’t tell them: “Well let’s work on that because it helps balance the body!”
MOST HORSES ARE RIGHT-SIDED I find that most horses are right-sided. Interestingly, most race tracks run counter clockwise, a practice that favors right-side dominant (left leading) horses. Side dominance has also been observed in other animals, so it is most likely naturally a factor in many living beings. One example: parrots tend to favor one foot when grasping objects (like fruit when feeding). Some studies indicate that most parrots are left-footed.
SIDE DOMINANCE AND FRONT HOOF SHAPE The horse’s side dominance is generally easily visible in the horse’s front hooves. Hoof form and shape respond directly to load. The dominant front hoof is usually flatter and wider—with a tendency to run forward because it tends to take more load.
The non-dominant hoof tends to grow more upright. It is therefore often mislabeled as a “club,” or “clubby looking” hoof. In reality, it simply grows more upright because it gets less load. True club hooves are congenital and rare. They look very abnormal compared to a hoof that simply grows more upright.
Hooves that become unloaded due to tendon injury, for example, will contract from the reduced load they experience.
Other clues to verify the horse’s side dominance:
Factors that can cause abnormalities through muscle compensation: • Rider imbalances (riders are affected by side dominance in similar ways) • Tack fit • Training approach • Health issues (teeth, DSLD/ESPA, EPSM/PSSM, HYPP, joint problems, etc.) • Trim-related hoof imbalance
Holistic Horse™ • August/September 2012 • Vol.19, Issue 80
Credit for all photos: Ute Philippi,
www.balanced-step.com
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