We've all heard the proverb 'no hoof, no horse ' which is why it is essential to have your horse seen by the farrier regularly.
The Proper balance of the hoof encourages soundness and if the hoof isn't balanced a selection of issues can arise such as bony changes in the foot, soft tissue damage caused by uneven loading and stress thru the limb.
When considering hoof balance of the pony it is really important to assess it from three ways; the lateral view (from the side); from the front, and the dorsal view (the underside of the foot).
From the side view the hoof-pastern axis should form a straight line, i.e. The hoof wall should follow the same line as the pastern bone. From the front the coronary band should be flat and parallel to the ground. From beneath the centre point should be between the widest part and just behind the point of the frog.
If your horse's feet don't match the above outline then you ought to have them seen by a farrier. Don't be frightened to ask your farrier for advice; they're going to be able to tell you whether your horse is shod continually enough and if there's anything more you can do to help. The advice is that a horse should see the farrier each 6 weeks however some horses with poor feet must be shod as often as each 4 weeks, while some horses will last 8 -10 weeks with no Problems.
If your pony has Problems with its feet then your farrier may recommend remedial shoeing to correct this. This may typically be done in conjunction with your vet as your farrier may want to see x-rays to get a clearer understanding of what is occurring in the hoof and the angle of the pedal bone.
There are several differing types of shoes that your farrier may select dependent on the horse's wants. These include natural balance shoes (built to increase natural breakover), egg bar, heart bar, onion shaped, front toe clips and side quarter toe clips.
If in any doubt about your horse's wishes talk to your farrier. They have experience in balancing and trimming horse's hooves and will definitely be able to give you advice on the best plan of action. Using their unique combination of vet and blacksmith abilities, they can help you to look after your pony's hooves in the right demeanour.
The Proper balance of the hoof encourages soundness and if the hoof isn't balanced a selection of issues can arise such as bony changes in the foot, soft tissue damage caused by uneven loading and stress thru the limb.
When considering hoof balance of the pony it is really important to assess it from three ways; the lateral view (from the side); from the front, and the dorsal view (the underside of the foot).
From the side view the hoof-pastern axis should form a straight line, i.e. The hoof wall should follow the same line as the pastern bone. From the front the coronary band should be flat and parallel to the ground. From beneath the centre point should be between the widest part and just behind the point of the frog.
If your horse's feet don't match the above outline then you ought to have them seen by a farrier. Don't be frightened to ask your farrier for advice; they're going to be able to tell you whether your horse is shod continually enough and if there's anything more you can do to help. The advice is that a horse should see the farrier each 6 weeks however some horses with poor feet must be shod as often as each 4 weeks, while some horses will last 8 -10 weeks with no Problems.
If your pony has Problems with its feet then your farrier may recommend remedial shoeing to correct this. This may typically be done in conjunction with your vet as your farrier may want to see x-rays to get a clearer understanding of what is occurring in the hoof and the angle of the pedal bone.
There are several differing types of shoes that your farrier may select dependent on the horse's wants. These include natural balance shoes (built to increase natural breakover), egg bar, heart bar, onion shaped, front toe clips and side quarter toe clips.
If in any doubt about your horse's wishes talk to your farrier. They have experience in balancing and trimming horse's hooves and will definitely be able to give you advice on the best plan of action. Using their unique combination of vet and blacksmith abilities, they can help you to look after your pony's hooves in the right demeanour.
About the Author:
KW Saddlery is your premier store for the supply of quality pony gear and saddlery. The also have a great supply of Polocrosse Supplies
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