Abi Hogg Hoofcare

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Case Studies

Long Toe and Underrun Heel

Cob, 12 years, shoes removed August 2008

August 2008                                             February 2009

This case demonstrates the healing power that exists within the hoof. This horse's feet were so damaged that I did minimal trimming just to tidy up chips and left him to 'do it himself'. He was only exercised on soft surfaces and in boots as initially he couldn't cope with any hard surface. These feet have amazed me by the speed at which they have grown and developed. The hoof wall has repaired, the front angle has come in more steeply and the heel has moved back. The remains of the damage caused by the toe-clip remain but this is growing out as the noticeable change in hoof angle progresses down the foot. The potential for a sound, strong hoof was in there all along.

Distorted Hoof Wall

Arab mare, 8 years, shoes removed October 2007



Nov 2007                                                         April 2008

November 2007 The first picture shows distortion in the hoof that shoeing had maybe caused but certainly allowed to get worse. The hoof wall was not being worn away between shoeings and the foot just continued growing in the wrong direction, which has had a knock on effect up through the pastern and fetlock. The white line has been stretched and torn as the hoof wall flares away from the foot.

April 2008 The top portion of the hoof has now grown down with only a small length of flared hoof remaining. There is also a thick band of new hoof wall growing down to about halfway down the toe.

Laminitis

Shire x Steeplechaser, 17 years old, shod most of adult life





                                         May 2007                                                                                 April 2008

May 2007   The horse had an attack of laminitis 5 months before this picture. The top portion of the hoof is growing in steeply which is a healing process as the laminae reconnect the hoof wall to the internal structure as the hoof grows down.

April 2008   The steep angle growing in from the top of the hoof in the first picture has been allowed to reach the ground by bevelling the toe off the ground. At no time has the front of the hoof wall been cut straight down at the toe as is often seen in shod laminitic feet. The horn quality has improved by changing the diet to a low sugar, no grain diet with a Simple System Total Eclipse as a feed balancer/hoof supplement.

Hoof Cracks

Quarter Horse, never shod



                                                  Nov 06                                                                             April 07

November 06 The hoof has not been particularly well trimmed allowing the foot to flare and a crack to appear. The crack at the toe had been tracking up the hoof despite all attempts to halt it by cutting a horizontal groove at right angles. It is clear that this has made no difference because the hoof wall is prising apart at ground level and the forces travelling up the hoof are pulling the wall apart.

April 07 A few months later and the crack is clearly growing out. I have relieved the stresses on the hoof wall by bevelling at the toe and the flare is growing out. The horizontal groove has grown out and the crack disappeared with another trim.