Hoof & Dental Management Sound Hoof Care
Objectives COMPETENCY EQ Determine management practices for sound hoof and dental care. OBJECTIVE EQ Practice good hoof care.
Parts of Horse’s Foot Hoof Wall A horny substance of parallel fibers protected by periople, a varnish like coating, that holds moisture in the hoof. Functions Weight bearing surface Protect internal structure Maintain moisture
Parts of Horse’s Foot Coronet (Coronary Band Area directly above hoof wall Source of growth for hoof wall
Parts of Horse’s Foot Pastern Located between fetlock and coronet on horse’s leg. Affects stride of horse
Parts of Horse’s Foot Sole Horny substance that protects the sensitive inner portions
Parts of Horse’s Foot Frog Triangular shaped formation in the sole. Frog of healthy hoof must remain elastic, acts like a shock absorber.
Hoof Design Hoof will change shape when weight is applied. When weight is applied, sole flattens and hoof expands laterally at the heel.
Growth of Hoof Growth rate of hoof – 3/8 inch per month depending on exercise and health Hind hooves grow faster than front due to less weight to rise Unshod hooves grow faster than shod. Nails and shoe limits movement Hooves of mares & geldings grow faster than stallions. They get more exercise Hoof grows at 45 to 55 degree angle with ground
Important Hoof Care Points Care includes: a. Routine cleaning with pick. Pick from heel to toe to prevent injury b. Trim every 4-6 weeks to retain proper shape & length c. Correct minor imperfections by trimming – splayfoot, toed in and out d. Treat foot diseases and injuries. e. Thrush – bacterial infection that penetrates the frog, making it soft. Related to lack of cleaning
Why Shoe? 1. Protect from excessive wear 2. Better traction 3. Correct defects of stance and gait 4. Help cure diseased/defected hooves such as inflamed tendons 5. Provide relief from pain such as bruised soles & hoof wall cracks
Why Not Shoe? Increases shock and road concussion. Nail holes weaken the hoof wall, may cause separation provide entry for infection. Does not improve agility
Methods Proper fitting shoe follows the outline of the trimmed hoof at the toe and around the wall to the bend of the quarter, then widen gradually until it extends laterally 1/8 inch beyond the hoof wall at the heel. This provides support for the expanded hoof when the horse places weight on the shod foot.
Methods Branch of a properly fitted shoe should not project beyond the upper part of the hoof at the heel The last (posterior) nail should be placed on the widest part of the hoof. Placing the nail too far to the rear hinders the lateral expansion of the foot at the heel.
Hoof and Dental Management Dental Needs
Objectives COMPETECY EQ Determine management practices for sound hoof and dental care. OBJECTIVE EQ Evaluate dental needs.
Common Problems 1. Painful sores in mouth due to sharp edges or hooks on molars when they don’t meet evenly 2. Wolf teeth cause bit problems 3. Canine teeth get too long, hit opposite gum, cause sores 4. Temporary teeth may stick to gums while permanent teeth are coming in
Common Problems 5. Parrot mouth – lower jaw is too short. Affects ability to graze
Common Problems 6. Chipped/broken incisors – may result from cribbing a. Cribbing – bad habit resulting from boredom b. Cribbing – equine grabs objects with teeth, arches neck and swallows air
Recognizing Problems 1. Observe Equine while eating for chewing problems a. Moves food around in mouth a lot prior to swallowing, food falls from equine’s mouth b. Refuses to eat 2. Examine mouth by: a. Grasp lower jaw with one hand to open mouth b. At same time, use other hand to pull and hold equine’s tongue to side of mouth to visual inspect.
Correcting Problems 1. Vet uses a rasp called a float to file and remove sharp edges 2. Vet pulls wolf teeth
Correcting Problems 3.Parrot mouth is inherited. Don’t breed 4.To prevent cribbing: a. Place a cribbing strap around throatlatch b. Strap presses on the trachea when the neck arches back