Dissections of hooves trimmed during the Seminar in Logatec, April 28. 29, 2007
The poor trotter Hitting ground toe first, probably due to heel pain Extensive bruising, but obviously still more comfortable than heel Frog has grown strong and very much forward, obviously wanted to compensate, also bruised
The poor trotter inside Extensive bruising of all parts of the corium: coronet sole (laminar corium overstressed > coffin bone has created impact in sole DDFT insertion frog
The poor trotter inside The laminar corium was way beyond its elastic capacity > coffin bone BUMPED against front wall upon toe landing > loss of bone material at front part of coffin bone. > dip in sole where coffin bone can sink into
The poor trotter inside digital arteries hindmost edge of navicular bone DDFT lateral cartilage Cross section just at the heel behind navicular bone shows amount of bruising Good thickness of frog horn (stimulation )
Foal Feet trimmed untrimmed 30 This neglected foal had very long toe, underrun heel and axial contraction. Follow the relatively longest wall tubules (red) and scoop quarters there smoothly to allow return of hoof capsule to natural shape, preliminary tilt more onto toe (<30 )
Foal Feet Fungus in contracted central frog sulcus (this is pinched by lever of long toe)
Foal Feet Remove pockets in frog horn, but do not cut deep into central sulcus (thin horn there, infection!)
Foal Feet This case needs smooth sole trimming
Foal Feet Thick healthy sole and frog horn this would have become a nice foot!
Draft Horse low concavity, extensive flaring, high forward grown heels bars grow strong and forward to support the flaring foot > would have gained concavity with proper balance (reduction of heel), mustang roll on walls and good living conditions/nutrition
Draft Horse Nice trim, but soft spot in frog
Draft Horse
Draft Horse
Draft Horse Digital cushion is very soft and prolapses far down, this is often critical in neglected draft horses with high heels (as if digital cushion longs for stimulation) > palpate thickness before trimming, leave center of frog weightbearing problem will resolve quickly with stimulation and correct balance
The crooked one Sheared heel, obviously old injury, rotten frog
The crooked one h Looks like very high heel h, but corium is already close to the ground (digging mark where we looked for it) > lateral rotation
The crooked one In this foot, there was no exfoliating sole, so here sole trimming was necessary Don t trim solid sole in healthy feet! Sole trimming followed the contour of the coffin bone. This would have been o.k. in a relatively healthy foot. With the present sole contraction, the corium is thicker close to the wall and the sole becomes too thin. Lessons: Don t trust heel height Don t trust the collateral groove in rotten feet Start at the longer side Always check sole thickness with knife pressure Very thin frog pretends deep collateral groove! Full sole produced sole contraction > less blood in corium close to frog > stretched corium close to wall
The crooked one Black sole around the tip of the frog is an indication for sole contraction Compare the mare at the bottom of my site: http://www.hoofcure.com/english/navicular.htm: Attention: When the sole is allowed to move again, the laminar corium may become overloaded. Horse may be tender. You may see red spots beside the black after a few weeks.