“Conformation of an owner’s horsecan be a very sensitive subject.” (Ted S Stashak)

In my experience that statement is very true and includes individualhorse owners that I felt were open-minded. Study the equineconformation; learn what is normal for a breed, discipline andenvironment. Use that information to modify shoes to enable the horseto do the best of its ability, in comfort, with the conformation it has. Thestudy of equine conformation and the effect of modifications to thehorseshoes on the hoof and limb can be overwhelming, yet interesting.“Conformation, a major factor in soundness of the limbs, oftendetermines the useful lifetime of a horse.” (Ted S Stashak) It is ourresponsibility as hoof care providers to take the conformation intoconsideration when defining shoe type, weight, size and modificationsmade to the shoes. “Every modification to the shoe has an influence onthe biomechanics of the horse.” (Denoix, 1999) Historically, we haveguidelines that are used when defining modifications to shoes, such as,“The principle thought should be to set the shoe, which should alwaysbe regarded as the base of support of the hoof, farther towards the morestrongly worn side.” (Lungwitz, 1884) Another guideline, “If the shoewears hard on the in or outside of the foot, place the wide branch of theshoe on the side of greatest wear.” (William Russell, 1887) I usehistorical references, as well as modern studies, to help define themodifications that will be made to a shoe. Knowing the environmentalconditions, including the ground conditions are also taken intoconsideration. Artificial surfaces will require different modifications andshoe types than a natural surface.

Volume 16: Issue 1

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Shoeing For Deviations ofthe Fetlock and Pasternof the Hind Equine Limb

Continued on page 2

by Michael Wildenstein, CJF, FWCF (hons)

Photo 1:Right Hind

Observe the shoe, hoof wear andthe conformation of the hoof as thiswill give indications of deviations orissues above. Observe the horse inmovement, standing in flexion andin extension for a completeevaluation of conformation.Radiographs and filming the horsein movement and reducing thespeed of the film are usefulinformation. (Photo 1 – Right Hind)This horse travels base narrow, theright hind is fetlock varus, pasternvalgus. There is an abaxial rotationaldeviation at the hock. There is anaxial rotational deviation from theFetlock down. There is exaggeratedrotation of the hoof as the hoofbegins to break over. The hoof flareslaterally.

Explanation of description:Base Narrow = “The distancebetween the center lines of the feetat their placement on the ground isless than the distance between thecenter lines of the limbs at theirorigin.” (Ted S Stashak)

Fetlock Varus = the limb deviates inbelow the fetlock.

Pastern Valgus = the limb deviatesout below the pastern.

Abaxial rotational deviation = Twistsout.

Axial rotational deviation = Twistsin.

Rotation of the hind hoof during breakover = “The result of a rotationaldeviation in the hock joint.”

Denoix Flares laterally = “Anoutward distortion which mayoccur on any portion of the hoofwall.” (Millwater’s Farriery)

When trimming, I follow theguidelines set forth by MichaelSavoldi in trimming to uniform solethickness. The width of web of theshoe is defined as twice as wide asthe wall is thick. To define the wallthickness, measure from the outsideof the live sole to the outside of thehoof wall. Traditionally the crease ornail line would be placed in thecenter of the web of the shoe. Thiswould place the nail line over thewhite line. Uniform wall thicknesson an average saddle horse is 3/8inch; therefore a 3/4 inch width ofweb shoe would be appropriate.Web width over 3/4 would beconsidered wide web and under 3/4would be narrow web for a horsewith a 3/8 inch thick hoof wall. Ashoe with wide web would be usedfor greater protection of the solarsurface of the hoof or to reducetraction. When defining thicknessof the shoe, consider the weight ofthe horse, environment, wear, andintegrity of the hoof. A thick shoewould be appropriate for a weakhoof, to increase traction for longerwear, or to increase the mechanicsof modifications built into the shoe.When defining Shoe type, consider;weight of horse, conformation,condition, environment, riderability, discipline and management.

A Kerckhaert DF Grand Prix whichhas a greater width of web laterallywas used to allow for themodifications needed. The horse islarge and heavy boned, capable ofcarrying the weight of the shoe Thewidth of web was further increasedlaterally by extending the crease andsetting the lateral heel down toward

the inside width of web. Thethickest part of the lateral heel ofthe shoe is under the viable hoofwall. The medial branch width isdecreased by grinding. The shoe isperimeter fit to the hoof at uniformwall thickness. Pins are used fortraction on the concrete the horsetraverses on the way to the arena. Itis important to minimize thetraction on horses that haverotational deviations within thetarsus – or hock. In attempting toreduce the twisting we wouldinadvertently create greater stress tothe hock. (Photo 2 – Left Hind) Theleft hind limb is not the same. Theabaxial rotational deviation at thehock and the fetlock varus are thesame. There is less pastern valgus

2

The Natural Angle

Continued from page 1

Continued on page 3

Photo 2:Left Hind

3

The Natural Angle

and no axial rotation from thefetlock down. The medial toe has atendency to flare. The lateral heel ofthe hoof is collapsing. Often thelateral heels on horses with thisconformation will be painful. Thishoof, in extension, travels furtherunder the body and often beyondthe midline. The modifications tothe shoe on the left hind need to beconsistent with the differences inconformation. Because of thedifferences in hoof conformation weknow the stresses to this hoof are notthe same as those to the right hind.The medial toe flare is addressed intrimming to uniform wall thickness.Because this hoof extends closer tothe midline than the contra laterallimb (right hind) the width of webon the lateral heel needs to be greaterthan that of the shoe on the righthind. To address the compromisedheel, the shoe is set down to theoutside of the heel of the shoe. Theshoe is fit to the perimeter of thehoof with the thickest part of thelateral heel of the shoe under theviable hoof wall. This lateral heel isfit full. In movement on soft groundthe increased width of web willwiden the stance. By setting downthe outside of the lateral heel we arereducing the impact on the heelduring the landing phase. This shoeis historically called a side boneshoe. This conformation increasesthe chance of formation of sidebone. To shoe the horse for theconformation we are being proactivein changing the stresses to the hoofand limb. The medial branch isreduced in width with the grinder.The heel checks are cleaned up byforging and/or grinding.

The conformation of every limb andevery horse must be evaluated beforedefining the shoes and modificationsto be prescribed. I described theguidelines that were used to shoethis individual horse. The variablesfrom one horse to another are greatand many factors have to be givenconsideration. The changes areconservative and adjusted on aregular schedule. I encourage you toclosely study the conformation ofthe horses that you provide hoof careand use the information to help youhelp the horse.

Continued from page 2

REFERENCESHistorical references are from The NationalMuseum of Horseshoeing, Sulpher, Oklahoma

A full Glossary of Therapeutic FarrieryTerms is available on FPD's websitefarrierproducts.com under the FarrierEducation Tab; or on FPD's Field Guide forFarriers at farrierproducts.com/fieldguide.

4

The Natural Angle

SBS Thrush Stop• “Non-Staining” liquidformula

• Works on the most seriouscases of thrush thatnothing else can touch, yetis long lasting and gentleto hoof tissue

• Contains no formaldehyde (formalin)or other cancer causing agents

• Effective against stubborn Candida(yeast) infections

SBS Thrush Stop “Blue”• “Staining” gel formula• Blue color marker showswhere you’ve appliedproduct and when toreapply as the color fades

• Additional ingredients havebeen added to stopstubborn bacteria andfungi along white line,clefts of the frog, cracks and nailholes

• Gentle to hoof tissue, but tough ongerms

SBS Sav-A-HoofProtectant• Dual-action hoofconditioner provides aneffective barrier againstfungus and bacteria

• Deflects externalmoisture andcontaminates

• Helps rejuvenate frog function• Great for extremely wet or dryconditions

View the full line of SBS products atfarrierproducts.com/hoofcare.html

Kerckhaert has made another major steptowards healthier hooves with the design anddevelopment of the Liberty Cu horseshoe nail.The Cu nails are copper coated to provideantimicrobial benefits, offering more protectionthan traditional horseshoe nails.

These innovative nails are designed to eliminatemicro-organisms that enter the hoof wall through thenail holes, helping prevent infection fromdeveloping. The copper surface kills bacteria assoon as it comes in contact with the nails and helpshooves remain strong and healthy throughout theshoeing cycle.

Cu Nails feature:• Cutting edge technology • Antimicrobial: kills bacteria as it comes in

contact with the nails• Hoof/Horn quality improves• Healthier hooves• No rust or wear inside the hoof wall• Consistent quality • Outstanding results• Material is optimum for clinching and great fit• Increased customer satisfaction• Ideal for all horses• Competitive price

Look for these Cu Nail sizes in 2016: E-3 Slim through E-6 Slim(April 2016), E-2 Slim and E-7 Slim (Summer 2016), LX-50 through LX-70 (Summer 2016), 5 Slim (Summer 2016)and 5 Combo Slim (Summer 2016).

Kerckhaert has also developed a new hoof careproduct called "Kerckhaert Nail Hole Solution." Thisnew hoof care product was formulated specifically totreat old nail holes. When used regularly, KerckhaertNail Hole solution forms a permanent barrier betweenthe environment and healthy hoof tissue so old nailholes stay clean. Use Kerckhaert Nail Hole Solution incombination with Liberty Cu Antimicrobial horseshoenails for added protection and outstanding results.

Kerckhaert introducesNew Liberty CuAntimicrobial Nail

The Natural Angle

LONGER LIFE – ENHANCED PERFORMANCE

A�er a great deal of time in development and testing, Bellota is now producing the RAZOR Plus. Using a higher grade material for the RAZOR Plus, it has proven in farrier testing to have a longer life. In addition, the tooth design is more aggressive and requires only a very light stroke in the early stages of using the rasp. HERE IS WHAT PROFESSIONAL FARRIERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE

WITH THE NEW BELLOTA RAZOR PLUS:

BELLOTA RAZOR Plus

“I’ve used the RAZOR Plus on 100 horses so far. It’s the best I’ve seen yet. The smooth side is really smooth and the rough side is really aggressive. It doesn’t clog.”Ed Reardon, Missouri

Eddie Williams, Kentucky

Bellota rasp handle not included.

“The RAZOR Plus is awesome! It lasted a long time for me.”

Dennis Passa, Minnesota

“The RAZOR Plus is a very good rasp. I love it. I’ve done a lot of horses with it and it has held up well. I will buy more.”

Bobby Menker, Kentucky

“I really like the RAZOR Plus. It held up well and did a nice job for me. I will use this rasp.”

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5

THE NATURAL ANGLE is publishedto provide you with new and useful informa-tion about the industry. It is publishedthrough a cooperative effort of Vector andLiberty Horseshoe Nails, Bloom Forge,FPD, Kerckhaert Shoes, Vettec, Bellota,Mercury and your supplier.

Articles in this publication are theproperty of The Natural Angle and cannot bereprinted without express permission. Forinformation concerning reprints, pleasecontact Dan Burke, FPD, P.O. Box 1328,Shelbyville, KY 40066 or Email:fpd@farrierproducts.com.

If you have questions, comments orideas concerning the articles published inthe Natural Angle, please contact yourdistributor. We welcome your input. TheNatural Angle is designed and edited byGraphic Response. n

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