Many people do not realize the harm caused by imbalanced hooves, hooves not trimmed properly, or hooves that are not trimmed regularly. This is a partial list of some of the effects of neglect or poor maintenance of horses' hooves:
Long toes can cause:
1. Navicular Symptoms
2. Bowed tendons
3. Pulled suspensories
4. Under-run heels
5. Quarter cracks
6. Forging
7. Overreaching
8. Stumbling
9. White Line Separation/Disease
High heels can cause:
1. Ring bone
2. Navicular symptoms
3. Short stridedness
4. Side bones
5. Forging
6. Quarter cracks
7. Overreaching
8. Stumbling
9. Contracted Heels
10. Thrush
11. Yeast
Overgrown Bars cause:
1. Pain
2. False Sole
3. Thrush
Imbalanced hooves can cause:
1. Quarter cracks
2. Broken Bones
3. Faulty Gaits
4. Splints
5. Stumbling
6. Choppy strides
Any one of the above can and do cause PAIN and DISCOMFORT to the horse and can even founder the horse. Please consider these when confronted with lameness issues of your horse and have a competent, natural barefoot trimmer take a look at your horse. It may well save his life! Please be aware.
Please read April's article entitled, "What's the Difference" to find out why these maladies occur and what can be done to counteract them. Rule out any riding dispositions that may be causing symptoms and also check your saddle fit. Most importantly, however, remember ... NO HOOF, NO HORSE.
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