Evaluating the Hoof and Trim Job

Hoof Care, Horses

Ensuring that a horse’s hooves are properly trimmed and balance can help to prevent lameness. This article discusses how to evaluate the hoof and how it is trimmed. To evaluate the hoof, watch the horse move, and look for limb interference and faulty movement....
Bones of the Hoof

Bones of the Hoof

Hoof Care, Horses

  Long pastern bone. The long pastern bone is located between the fetlock and pastern joint. The long pastern bone should be about one-third the length of the cannon bone. The function of the long pastern bone is to increase the flexibility of the fetlock joint...

How a Horse’s Hoof Grows

Hoof Care, Horses

Hoof growth is one of the most important considerations in hoof physiology. Hoof growth occurs from the coronary band down toward the toe. The average hoof grows 1/4 to 3/8 inch per month. Since the average hoof is 3 to 4 inches in length, the horse grows a new hoof...

Sensitive Structures of the Hoof

Hoof Care, Horses

The sensitive structures are so called because they contain many nerves and blood vessels. Injury to them will cause pain and bleeding. Sensitive structures are located under every part of the horny hoof. Each hoof structure has a corresponding sensitive structure....
Understanding the Equine Hoof

Understanding the Equine Hoof

Hoof Care, Horses

In this video, Nate Allen, of Allen Farrier Service-Juanita, NE and Central Community Technical College-Hastings NE, helps viewers understand how the equine hoof functions and gives suggestions for managing horses’ hooves to maintain long term soundness. 2008...