Healthy Hooves 360with expert farrier Danvers Child, CJF

Additional Speakers:Lydia F. Gray, DVM

Medical Director/Staff VeterinarianJessica Normand

Senior Director – SmartSupplements™

August 22, 2012

Photo Credits: April Raine

Danvers Child, CJF

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A lifelong horseman and practicing farrier since 1972, Danvers specializes in shoeing sport and performance horses. He served as a supervisor for

the Official Farriers at the Alltech FEI 2010 World Equestrian Games, and he also serves as an Official Farrier for the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event.

Agenda

• Hoof and limb anatomy and function• Visual assessment: limb and hoof capsule• Things that can go wrong• What leads to a healthy hoof?• Questions & Answers

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Hoof and Limb Anatomy and Function

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The goals of proper hoof care include:•Keeping the capsule under they boney column of the limb

•Providing a base to “drive” from

•Giving the horse a sense of confidence and willingness

•Keeping gaits true

•Providing adjustment for conditions/environment

Hoof and Limb Anatomy and Function

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Hoof and Limb Anatomy and Function:Hoof “Landmarks”

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• Points of concern include angles and break over points

• One can get a general idea of whether these are appropriately set by looking to certain “landmarks” on the hoof

Hoof and Limb Anatomy and Function

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Hoof and Limb Anatomy and Function• The hoof is plastic, not elastic– It wears and abrades– It distorts and deforms

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Hoof and Limb Anatomy and Function• Form follows function– Since the function of the front limb and hind limb are radically

different, we cannot generalize about the hoof– Instead we should generalize about fronts and hinds

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Hoof and Limb Anatomy and Function• Shoe shape corresponds to the shape of the coffin

bone and to the function of the hoof and limb

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Visual Assessment: Limb and Hoof Capsule

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• Relationship of hoof capsule to the limb– The hoof is on an oblique angle to the limb– As a result, it grows forward as well as downward

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Visual Assessment: Limb and Hoof Capsule

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Things that can go wrong:Distortions of the hoof capsule

• Causes of Distortions– The hoof is plastic, not elastic– The mass of the horse above the hoof– Conformational or gait faults– (Not unlike the uneven wear and tear we put on our own shoes)

• Distortions primarily show up as flares– Often exaggerated by lack of maintenance/poor maintenance

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Things that can go wrong:Distortions of the hoof capsule

Things that can go wrong: Cracks• All cracks are not equal• Superficial cracks– Include checks and fissures– Note: hooves that show no cracks may actually be overly

hydrated and prone to distortion and breakdown

• Penetrating cracks– Those that reflect structural failure– Often results from the combination of imbalance, weakened

hoof wall or poor/neglected maintenance

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Things that can go wrong: Cracks

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Things that can go wrong: Cracks

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Things that can go wrong:Sole and Frog• Sole

– Should be thick enough to provide a natural pad and protect the contents of the hoof capsule

• Frog– Should be prominent enough to serve as a shock absorber and to provide a stimulus for

vascularity

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Things that can go wrong:Sole and Frog

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Healthy Frog

Unhealthy Frog

What Leads to a Healthy Hoof?

1. Climate/Environment2. Exercise/Activity3. Professional Maintenance4. Nutrition

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What Leads to a Healthy Hoof?• Climate/Environment– Regulating moisture (sudden, constant shifts from wet to dry)

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What Leads to a Healthy Hoof?• Exercise/Activity– Horses were designed to graze and meander up to 20 hours/day

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What Leads to a Healthy Hoof?• Professional Maintenance– Contemporary horse-keeping in artificial environments and

conditions results in the need for regular hoof maintenance by a qualified professional

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What Leads to a Healthy Hoof?• Nutrition– Ensure the horse has a complete and balanced diet– For horses with hoof problems, hoof supplements support hoof

wall growth and integrity– The results of an improved diet take time

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What Leads to a Healthy Hoof?

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Results after approximately 9 months of improved professional maintenance, supplementing with SmartHoof and excellent owner compliance.

Questions & Answers

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Questions1. What is the best way to treat thrush? Should I use a daily/weekly condition on the

inside (under) and outside of the hoof, if so why? 2. My mare's hoofs are very dry and have a lot of cracks. What can I give her as a

supplement or apply to her hooves to make them softer?3. Difference between a certified farrier and a journeyman farrier? 4. Is it normal for a horse's hoof to be slightly larger/rounder than his other front

hoof? 5. My horses frogs have been peeling lately, what is this a sign of and is there

anything I can do to help prevent this? 6. I'd like a better understanding of the tendency of underrun heels and how farriers

can manage them well. 7. I have a TB mare with thin soles. Are there supplements and/or nutrients that

help increase sole production? And in addition, what else can I do to help promote sole growth? My understanding is that biotin promotes hoof wall growth.

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Questions8. What is the best way to deal with abcesses ?9. I'm interested in hearing about a general overview of how you pick the hoof

shape/angles that is correct for an individual horse. 10. Are white hooves more prone to having problems that black hooves?11. Can a horse in regular work including jumping be comfortable barefoot? I have

had trainers tell me they think a horse in hard work who is jumping regularly needs shoes.

12. Do supplements really influence hoof growth/health? If so, what supplements are best, and how do we feed them?

13. I noticed on our horse the nails from the farrier on the front hooves were not flush with the hoof. Also the hooves were cracked in these areas. I've applied ointment twice in the last three days. Is this the result of actions of the farrier?

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Questions14. I have a 23 yr old mare with arthritis in her front pastern area. Is there a way I

can instruct my farrier to trim / shoe her to help get a few more good years of light trail riding out of her? She is on SmartFlex IV supplements already. Thank you!

15. My OTTB overreaches with his hind feet and often loses front shoes. Do you have any great ideas to help a horse keep his shoes on? Thanks!

16. Due to the drought conditions in the Midwest this summer, should horse owners take this into consideration when choosing hoof supplements?

17. My blacksmith says my horse's feet grow very slow, What can I do to make them grow faster?

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