Paul Thibodeau Professional Farrier Services
61 Parker Mountain Rd b0s1k0 Granville Ferry, NS, Canada

Can’t thank Paul Thibodeau enough, MooMoo’s feet look amazing and she hasn’t moved this good in years!

Is your shoeing cycle stopping your horses feet from improving? Or even causing a negative cycle? The effects of hoof growth have been shown in studies. Van He...el et al (2004,2005) and Moleman at el (2006) showed the decrease in hoof angle and the subsequent increase in strain on the deep digital flexor tendon and that strain is transferred onto the navicular structures. This was over an 8 week shoeing cycle. But what this also does is increase leverage forces and loads on the heels, in some feet causing them to fail. Lesniak et al (2017) demonstrated that a four to six week interval, even shorter then the 8 weeks of van Heel and Moleman, is sufficient for a palmer shift in the centre of pressure, increasing the loading on acutely inclined heels, altering DIP angulation, and increasing the load on susceptible structures (e.g., DDFT). Although these studies suggest the caudal migration of the point of force, Clayton et al which discussed the effects on the stance phase and Weller suggest the dorsal migration of the point of force. This in turn increases the collapsing extensor moment on the limb, meaning an increase in flexor structure strain to counter act. Considering the forward migration of the heels, the fact that they move toward being under the pedal bone instead of the digital cushion means they suffer increased shock. Whichever way you look at it, excess hoof growth leads to failure of the heels, leading to poor hoof proportions and a downward spiral of hoof morphology. Also leading to increased flexor strain an predispositions to navicular for example. Now imagine the trim and shoe placement weren’t correct at day 1, how much is hoof growth going to exacerbate that by the end of a shoeing cycle? Considering the resultant cyclic over load of the deep digital flexor tendon it’s easy to understand the genesis of lameness and caudal hoof pain. If your farrier suggests a 4 week shoeing cycle, perhaps there is a reason. In my experience providing balance around the centre of rotation and flexible caudal hoof support works to prolong a shoeing cycle as it negates the collapse in weaker feet. Further reading in the captions and full article on the influences of shoeing cycles at this link. . https://www.theequinedocumentalist.com//the-influences-on-