ADVICEFROMTHE VET
bone is parallel to the ground (Figure4.) In trimming and shoeing ahorse,
afarrier is continually assessing and adjusting these proportions, as well as keeping in mind the position of the edge of the pedal bone,the point of breakover and all the other factors affecting that
horse.Figure5.shows some of the imaginary linesfarrierswork to.
SHOE FIT
The shoe should fit so that when the heels expand during maximal weight- bearing, the ground surfaceofthe hoof and foot surfaceofthe shoe remain in contact. The shoe should extend to the back of the hoof capsule to provide support forthe heels (Figure6.)
CLEVER THINGS THAT CANBEDONE TO HELP YOUR HORSE
Even very small adjustmentsand alterations to atrim or shoe canmake abig differencetothe waya horse movesorisable to perform. Different typesofshoe canbeusedtomeet different needs, either by making a shoe from apieceofsteel stock or by adapting amachine-made shoe. The purposesofshoeing aretoprotect and support the foot, and to provide grip.
Figure7.Range of different shoe types
Horsesmay need different things from ashoedepending on their conformation, the type of work theyare expectedto perform, the surfaceonwhich they work and anyinjuriestheymay have. Dressage horsesusually work on a
Figure5.Foot mapping
soft surface, so benefit fromrelatively wide shoesthatact likesnowshoes and stopthem from sinking in toofar. Showjumping surfaces areusually firm; showjumpersneedlotsofgrip to help them take-off,landand turn securely. Eventersneedashoe that allows them to work on adressage surfaceand gallop andjump safely on grass. Grip comes from the surfaceareaofthe shoe that is in contactwith the ground, and canbe provided by fullering (forming groovesin the ground surface, likethe treadonapair of wellies) or projections from the shoe such as road pins or caulkins (Figure7.) Additional support fordifferent
Figure 6. Shoe extending to back of hoof capsule
structures in, around and above the foot canbeprovided by adding in extra weight-bearing surface, such as abar shoe,spider plateorinsert (Figure8.) or packing the sole with shock-absorbing materials, which canprovide mechanical support and reduceconcussion. While thereisalmostnolimit to
the ways in which trimming and shoeing canbeadjusted, it is essential to remember that the foot acts as a
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BSc(Hons),MA,VetMB,MRCVS Sally qualified in 2007and has worked in equine practiceeversince, joining the Hook Norton Veterinary Group in
2010.She completed her Certificatein Advanced Veterinary Practicein2016, which is amodular, online,post-graduatecertificatethat covers all aspects of
Equine.Sally is also the practicerepresentative on the XLEquine ExecutiveBoard. Sally has two spaniels, Spudge and Evie,and adriving pony, Ivor.
very precise physiological unit and everything we do to it has consequences and knock-on effects,both in the foot itself and in the limb above it!
HOW TO SHOE FOR
THE WHOLE HORSE The foot affects and is affectedby everything above it. The angle of the pastern is usually the same as the angle of the shoulder blade –ahorse with an upright shoulder will have upright pasterns. In adapting shoeing to address less-than perfectconformation, or a lameness problem, we have to consider the knock-on effects of what we need or want to
do.For example,a horse with hock arthritis will benefit from adjusting the shoeing behind (exactly howdepends on the horse and its conformation!), but mayalso benefit from adjusting the shoeing of the front feet –intrying to reducethe load on the hindlimbs, moreweight will be carried on the front limbs, predisposing them to injuriessuch as suspensory ligament or tendon strain, or distorting the hoof capsule and causing foot pain. Shoeing ahorse is an awful lot morethancutting back the toeand nailing ashoeon!
Figure8.Extension plate, spider plateand bar forwelding intoshoes
PleasementionCentralHorseNewswhenrespondingtoAdvertisementsJANUARY/FEBRUARY2018 11
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