T ese cross sections pro- vide a view of a normal foot (leſt ) vs. a contract- ed hoof on right. Before the hoof on the right had been trimmed, there were high bars and heels jamming up into the hoof capsule, put ing pressure on the navicular area.
other point is applied to the area on the bot om of the hoof where there potentially is pain. Pressure is applied, and as the blunt point squeezes into the soſt er
tissue, the horse’s reaction is observed. T e problem with this tool is that a reaction may result whether pain is present or not. Pressing a hard, pointed tool into soſt , pliable tissue, be it the sole or frog, is likely to cause discomfort, and the horse is going to react negatively to it. In some cases, a false positive will result. Heel wedges are another way of testing for pain. T e farrier applies
a wedge to the horse’s heel and makes him stand on it. T e horse may show soreness aſt er standing on it for some time. T is only forces the horse to put more pressure on his heel and stand un-naturally. Once again, pain, or at the very least, discomfort, will be the result, and again a potential false positive. And last but not least, some farriers even recommend striking the
heel with a hammer to see if there is any pain. If I’m looking for pain, I feel certain I can fi nd it with a hammer. All of these methods are going to cause some degree of discomfort
For more information about the best hoof-care products, see:
Absorbine, p.100 Cavallo Horse and Rider, p.17,93 Equine Digit Support System, p.52 Horse Health USA, p.19 Renegade Boots, p.50 Science Pure Nutraceuticals, p.53 Wendals Herbs, p.11
in the horse, regardless of whether pain was present prior to testing. I strongly caution against allowing any of these methods to be used on your horse. If pain can’t be found by other, more reasonable methods, I doubt the horse is in much pain to warrant a diagnosis of navicular syndrome.
ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM First, fi nd a trained natural hoof care practitioner. It is of the utmost
importance to have someone who understands the natural hoof and its anatomy and is trained in simulating the natural wear pat erns of the hoof. Don’t be afraid to ask questions regarding the practitioner’s training
and education, methods she or he will use or anything else you deem relevant to your horse’s health. Anyone you allow to work with your horse should be very accepting of any questions you have and should be able to answer them with easy to understand language. Natural trimming methods will assist the horse in returning his feet
to as natural a state as possible. I have worked on several horses that had previously been diagnosed with navicular syndrome, and every single one has become sound again through natural trimming methods. T ese results are not uncommon among natural hoof care practitioners and I encourage you to research my declaration. So really it all comes down to this. Regardless
of whether navicular syndrome is a real entity or just part of the aging process, as I believe, what is truly important to know is that it can be addressed and have a positive outcome. If you investigate what is causing the pain, the mystery will dis- appear; and if you take the simple steps I have mentioned to address a diagnosis of navicular syndrome, there is no reason to fear it. Your horse can become sound again.
Tony Haslam is a Certifi ed Hoof Care Practitioner with the Association for the Advance- ment of Natural Horse Care Practices (AANHCP), where he lives with a herd of rescued
horses maintained in conditions that resemble those of wild horses. He enjoys helping people restore their horses’ hooves to a healthy state and educating them on the process. Trained in the art and science of barefoot hoof care by Jaime Jackson, Tony is devoted to continuing his own education in the rapidly evolving fi eld of natural hoof care. He is based in Comfort, Texas. To reach Tony, email him at
themustangway@gmail.com or visit his website at
www.the-mustang-way.com
52 | June 2013 •
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