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MECHANICAL EQUINE HOOF DIS-EASES

© Gwenyth Browning Jones Santagate

Is your horse exhibiting lameness? Can't figure out what it is? Check the hooves!

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.