1. It’s all in the hoof!

2. Waraji Woven Grass Sandal

3. Introduction How long have horseshoes been used on horses?
~ 2,000 years (Egyptians, Persians)
Why do we shoe horses?
To protect from excessive wear
Help prevent disease and injury
Neglect = problems and unsoundness

4. Structure & Function “The Horse’s Second Heart”
Feet are vital to the health of the horse
Good care – prevention of lameness
What are hooves designed for?
Support Weight
Absorb Shock
Provide Traction
Conduct Moisture
Assist in Pumping Blood

5. The Hoof From the Bottom
Bulb of Heel
Bar(s)
Sole
Wall
Toe
White Line
Frog
A. Central groove
B. Ridge
C. Lateral groove
D. Apex

7. The outer layer of a horse’s hoof is similar to what in a human?
Answer: The finger nail

8. What is the hoof largely composed of?
Answer: Keratin

9. Answer: Yes, the hoof grows at a rate of ¼ inch per month, on average.
Is the hoof alive?

10. Hoof Care Hoof pick: from heel toward toe, sides/cleft of frog
Fine-bristled wire brush
Do not apply too much pressure with either tool. This can cause:
Damage-bruising, abcess, infection, etc.

11. Hoof Care Important to support weight and movement Trimmed regularly
Frog: indicator of horse health
Trimmed regularly
Every 4-6 weeks, depending on their location

12. Hoof wall should be the longest at the toe and taper back towards the heels

13. Too long, Dish
Hard on tendons and legs, wrong angle of foot

16. Steps in picking up the foot
Make sure he is safely tied up and calm
Approach him, and face towards rear, keeping attentive of behavior
Run hand down back of leg (front leg) and gently squeeze tendons below fetlock
Lift hoof with hand under hoof wall
Once he shifts weight to lift the foot, adjust hands to have dominant hand free for cleaning

17. The one who does it all… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJMlX6pJUJc
What does a farrier do?
Removes old shoes and nails
Cleans and levels (with rasp)
Shapes shoe (furnace)
Nailing shoe on (just outside of white line)
Setting nails with clinching bar (strike off head to tighten shoe)
Level/rasp the burs under nails

18. Teeth care and aging

19. How does a horse’s mouth move?
12 front incisors
Circular motion
Causes grinding of teeth over time
Floating: Required to keep them from having sharp edges

20. What about aging? Several factors... Width vs. depth
Wider = younger
Deeper, more triangular = older
Angle of incidence – contact of incisors
Galvayne’s groove – upper corner incisors

21. As Horse Gets Older https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A2-ndxZIxI
What happens?
Angle of incidence increases
Teeth wear down
Gums recede
Teeth become more triangular in shape