Digital Cushion

Hoof Care, Horses

The digital cushion is a wedged-shaped structure with a fibro-fatty composition in the foal and in the colt, and it hardens into a fibrocartilagineous tissue in the adult horse. It is very elastic and has very few blood vessels and nerves. It is located in a wedged-in...

Navicular Disease

Hoof Care, Horses

Navicular disease is the name given to the pain in the area of the navicular bone. It may involve inflammation of the navicular bursa, cartilage or tendon destruction, and bone changes. Pain may be mild or severe. The signs of navicular disease include pointing the...

Rocker-toe Shoe

Hoof Care, Horses

The rocker-toe shoe is frequently used in conjunction with the egg bar to alleviate tension on the deep flexor tendon at the moment of breaking over. The amount of bend in the rocker-toe can be determined by looking at the wear on the old shoe or the wear on the toe...
Sliding Plates

Sliding Plates

Hoof Care, Horses

Sliding plates are shoes used on the back feet of reining horses to help them slide across the ground while they are in the sliding stop. Sliders should be long and U-shaped. The toe should be round and rolled slightly. The shoe heel should be extended back to the end...
Floating Teeth

Floating Teeth

Horses

Floating, a method of equine dental care, refers to filing the sharp edges of molars and premolars. The lateral grinding movement of the jaw develops chisel-shaped surfaces on the inner edge of the lower and the outer edge of the upper molars. It is sometimes...