CONTRACTED HEELS

This very well bred 7 year old warmblood gelding had appeared to be a real bargain when he was bought without a vetting. However it soon became apparent to his new owner that he was not sound. He was diagnosed with bone spavin in both hocks and poor coffin bone density in his fores. Tildren injections and exercise helped his bone spavins to fuse. But over 12 months 2 consecutive farriers were unable to improve his feet. The photos below were taken the day his shoes were removed and 4 months later. 4 months is too short a time to rehabilitate hooves with this degree of deformity, but the improvements can be seen. Although sound, his owner decided to sell him at this point because she felt the bone spavin would reduce his ability to jump.

               RIGHT FORE 28/10/08                                                    RIGHT FORE 19/2/09

Above: The toe has become shorter allowing the heels to stand up. The shorter toes also means a faster breakover, longer stride and allows a heel first landing to develop. This is crucial to develop the important structures in the back of the foot (lateral cartilage, digital cushion).

Above: The heels have become wider and the hoof shorter.

Above Left: The hoof walls slope inward from coronary band to the ground bearing surface. Above Right: The hoof walls are sloping outwards.

                         RIGHT HIND 28/10/08                                             RIGHT HIND 19/2/09

The shoes had been removed from the hinds some months before, but there were still improvements to be made.

Above: Shortening the toe has allowed the heels to stand up. It has also improved the ease of breakover, this is important to reduce the strain on the hocks.