The horse’s hoof is the foundation for a 1200 pound animal. Consider building a house: without a foundation there is no way for the house to remain standing. In addition to the structural support, foundations “keep out moisture” and are steel-reinforced (Alexander). This is very similar to a horse’s hoof. The hoof is enclosed by the hoof wall and sole of the foot, and when this is punctured an abscess will develop, or it can crack to allow infection. In very severe cases of laminitis the coffin bone will rotate and begin to invert the concave sole. All of these problems (addressed in detail in the webpage) allow for “moisture” to enter the hoof capsule, causing infection and inflammation. The horse’s “steel reinforcements" are the major bones of the hoof, the coffin bone, short pastern bone and navicular bone. There is nothing more important than a solid foundation. Problems and diseases of the hoof require thorough care and prevention. For a horse that is worth thousands or even millions, the hooves should be considered priceless and every measure of care must be taken, from the time the horse takes his first steps to the time he enters the starting gate as a mature racer.
When a foal’s hooves are growing, a farrier must be certain he or she does their best to prevent problems and eliminate problems if they are already developing. According to the article “Thoroughbred Hoof Care: Foal to Racehorse to Sport Horse,” a farrier “should trim foals' hooves every four weeks, starting at 4 weeks old, to keep pace with their fast hoof growth rate” (Beckstett, 2014). He should also determine any limb deviations of the carpal, tarsal or fetlock joints, and take the actions required to improve these deviations within the first three months for the fetlock and before the horse is a year old for the knee and hock joints (Beckstett, 2014).
As the foal is weaned and prepared for a sale, the farrier should correct “flares, chipping, and thin walls all while trimming the hoof capsule into a ‘nice’ shape through monthly hoof care” (Beckstett, 2014). Shoes will often be applied at this age.
Once the horse begins to train and race farriers develop a maintenance trimming program where trimmings occur “every three to four weeks because of the high speeds at which they work” (Beckstett, 2014). Balance becomes key, as is the type of shoe, both allowing the horse their best performance and comfort. The horse’s hoof should slide upon impact with the ground, decreasing the risk of bone chips (Beckstett, 2014). Some shoes that slide on dirt or turf will not slide on a synthetic surface. Only after the horse is no longer racing at high speeds can trimmings be decreased to the typical five to six weeks while still “tailor[ing] his hoof care to his specific age, needs, and job” (Beckstett, 2014).
When a foal’s hooves are growing, a farrier must be certain he or she does their best to prevent problems and eliminate problems if they are already developing. According to the article “Thoroughbred Hoof Care: Foal to Racehorse to Sport Horse,” a farrier “should trim foals' hooves every four weeks, starting at 4 weeks old, to keep pace with their fast hoof growth rate” (Beckstett, 2014). He should also determine any limb deviations of the carpal, tarsal or fetlock joints, and take the actions required to improve these deviations within the first three months for the fetlock and before the horse is a year old for the knee and hock joints (Beckstett, 2014).
As the foal is weaned and prepared for a sale, the farrier should correct “flares, chipping, and thin walls all while trimming the hoof capsule into a ‘nice’ shape through monthly hoof care” (Beckstett, 2014). Shoes will often be applied at this age.
Once the horse begins to train and race farriers develop a maintenance trimming program where trimmings occur “every three to four weeks because of the high speeds at which they work” (Beckstett, 2014). Balance becomes key, as is the type of shoe, both allowing the horse their best performance and comfort. The horse’s hoof should slide upon impact with the ground, decreasing the risk of bone chips (Beckstett, 2014). Some shoes that slide on dirt or turf will not slide on a synthetic surface. Only after the horse is no longer racing at high speeds can trimmings be decreased to the typical five to six weeks while still “tailor[ing] his hoof care to his specific age, needs, and job” (Beckstett, 2014).