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ARTICLES
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NO HOOF NO HORSE
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It seems the equine world has gone full circle. It has taken little longer than 1000 years to go from applying a metal rim to the horses hoof for welfare reasons to removing it for welfare reasons.
Research, study and experimentation has led to the realisation that a horse shoe nailed to a horses hoof can have an adverse effect on the internal and external structures of the hoof as well as the rest of the horse.
Just one aspect is the effect on the circulatory system. When the weight of the horse descends down through the bones of the leg (support phase) into a physiologically balanced hoof, the hoof expands. When the leg is lifted again (flight phase) the hoof contracts. This is called Hoof Mechanism.
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While it is difficult to see from the outside, the importance this function has on the horse is enormous. A multitude of wonders are at work, here we are mainly focusing on circulation.
Surrounding the coffin/pedal bone is a spongy substance, several millimetres thick, called the hoof corium. This corium has 5 sub corium’s that are responsible for manufacturing all the different types of horn that make up the hoof capsule i.e. the frog, sole, hoof wall, laminar and periople. The corium’s need a full nourishing blood supply in order to be able to produce quality hoof horn.
In a naturally trimmed, unshod hoof, the weight of the horse in the loading phase squeezes the hoof against the ground, as the lower wall expands outward the wall near the coronary band contracts. The growth corium’s between the coffin bone and the expanded outer wall fill with blood.
During the flight phase the lower wall contracts, the upper ‘neck’ of the hoof wall expands to fill the coronary venous plexus, a bit like a holding tank, with used blood that has been squeezed out of the corium as the hoof wall contracts.
During the next support phase this blood is squeezed and pressurised in order to be pumped back up the limb to the heart for reprocessing,
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When a horseshoe is applied the hoof is in the flight phase. With a shoe attached or in an unbalanced hoof with high heels, long bars or excessive wall length, hoof mechanism is compromised and the hoof is unable to expand fully. The corium’s are deprived of maximum blood flow. The neck of the hoof wall remains in an expanded state, so the reduced blood flow that can find its way into the hoof cannot be pooled and pressurised before being sent back up the leg. This puts strain on the heart as it has now lost its four auxiliary pumps- the feet.
Barefoot endurance riders have noticed a drop in heart rate of 10 bpm, obviously a huge benefit to their discipline.
The reduction in circulation also means reduced feeling, a bit like getting cold fingers in the snow. Testing for circulation in the hoof and lower limb is easy enough, just feel your horse’s legs and hooves they should always feel warm, even in the winter.
If you are planning to de-shoe your horse get as much information on this natural alternative (which can also include lifestyle changes) as possible through websites, books, clinics etc. Make an informed choice.
A Natural or Barefoot trim differs from the standard trim and though some farriers are attending clinics to learn it, they are still few and far between.
The amount of damage that has occurred inside the hoof capsule over the years will dictate how long it will take for each individual horse to heal and grow a new well-balanced hoof. Some horses make the transition to Barefoot with ease, others need time to adapt to the change, but with time, patience and regular trims healing will take place.
It can be quite a shock for some owners to see their previously ‘sound’ horses hobbling around when the shoes have been removed. This is usually when the uninformed say “my horse can’t go without shoes.” The numbing effects of the shoes have been masking sometimes years of damage. With the return of circulation the horse can feel the damage that may have occurred in the hoof. Also with hoof mechanism-circulation- the damage can begin to heal. If the damage is extensive i.e. Navicular, Laminitis etc. the horse will need time. Stay with him through his healing process, however long or short that may be. Give nature a chance to work her magic and you will both reap the rewards.
Boots are available in New Zealand that can help horses during the transition period. These boots are used when riding, not to cover up a problem, but to protect the feet from further damage until they have redeveloped health, balance, concavity etc.
Horses with physiologically correctly balanced hooves have full hoof mechanism. They grow strong healthy hoof horn that can be conditioned to travel over any terrain. They exude excellent health, exceptional balance, superior traction, healthy well-developed muscle tone and magnificent movement. A truly amazing animal, physically and mentally.
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