Poynton Farriery Clinic
COMPLETE EQUINE FOOT CARE
Poynton Farriery Clinic
COMPLETE EQUINE FOOT CARE
© 2007 -
Farriery for the veteran horse
By ANDREW POYNTON FWCF
MANY horses are living longer
despite debilitating problems such as
laminitis, they are still being ridden
and in work into their twenties.
Some top level event horses have
even competed successfully into their
late teens.
Signs of ageing:
As horses age so their physique
gradually changes.
Muscle suppleness becomes
diminished, it takes longer to warm
up and loosen.
Arthritis may affect some joints,
collateral ligaments tighten, the
suspensory apparatus of the limbs -
the suspensory ligament and the
flexor tendons, have often suffered
injury and this together with reduced
muscle from natural wastage means
there is less to support the horse and
it is more prone to ‘breaking down’.
An old horse may, for example, stand
with the fore limbs tucked under,
over at the knee and the hoof
pastern axis alignment broken
forward, the pastern at a low angle
and the fetlock sitting low – obvious
signs of suspensory demise.
This article first appeared in Horse Health Magazine, December 2009/ January 2010
Windgalls also provide evidence of distension of the joint capsule and tendon sheath.
Alternatively there may be a severely broken back hoof pastern axis (HPA), little angle at the fetlock and a virtually upright pastern.
Horses with this stance usually are experiencing pain in the heels which are low
and often under-
The hind limbs are affected more in the hocks; spavins seen as hard swelling on the inside base of the hock, and the toes will be squared off from dragging due to lack of
flexion.
When the limb is flexed the horse is reluctant to allow the limb to be extended to the rear, preferring to hold it up tight under the abdomen. Shoe wear apart from the squared toe is heavy on the outside branch.
Realistic expectations:
If this horse has not already come to the end of his working life, starting with the front limbs, shoes with a shortened breakover would be appropriate whether a dub toed
shoe or ground rolled, there are a number of brand named shoes that achieve this end.
They reduce the effect in taking a stride and reduce the likelihood of stumbling.
The broken back HPA upright pastern would benefit from a graduated shoe, thinner at the toe rather than raising the heel height.
The shoe would best be a bar shoe, a heart bar for maximum surface area and heel support – this provides elevation for the foot on soft surfaces.
It relieves the heels of so much loading, so a square/dubbed toe graduated heart bar shoe meets the requirement.
Some farriers will favour filling the back half of the foot with some form of elastomer or silicon filler to achieve the same end, or in conjunction with a regular heart bar shoe.
These synthetic and plastic materials can be used effectively to create cushioning and enhance the area of the foot. A flexible plastic heart bar can again often achieve surprisingly good results.
The limb with a low fetlock would not benefit from any form of raising the heel, but be shod similarly with a flat heart bar shoe fitted with fullness in the heel quarters and right
to the bulbs of the heels – definitely not short.
Studs are not advised, but if the horse is prone to slipping on the road then to avoid falling, a pair of tungsten pins or nails can be fitted in the back half of the shoes, one in
each side; they stand proud by about 2mm or 1/8” and give traction, but increase the jarring on the foot/limb.
Addressing the hind limbs – the traditional shoe in the UK for spavin has a set toe, a strong turned up toe set into the toe of the hoof with wedged up heels; this shoe is only
really effective on a hard surface.
As many horses now spend much time on arenas, shoeing appropriate to this type of surface seems sensible.
I prefer and find effective a broad webbed shoe, quarter clipped set well under the toe, with a lateral extension. This shoe wears well and gives more stability to the limb.
It again must not be fitted short, but with some extra length providing floatation to the back of the foot, it will not sink into the surface so much, therefore relieving the hock of
excessive strain.
The horses need a sympathetic and patient farrier; they object to being pulled around.
Intolerance to uneven ground could indicate arthritic joints, ringbone, medio lateral imbalance or sidebone to mention just some possibilities.
The experienced farrier in addition to working with the vet, utilising any radiographic or other evidence, will notice the horse’s stance, watch the horse move, will notice any
unevenness of footfall, tripping, lack of flexion and lameness if present.
The wear of the hoof or shoe if shod is invaluable evidence in determining peculiarities of the gait of the horse.
Shock absorbing heartbar with
shortened breakover
The shape and quality of feet will be
noted, and their relationship to the
horse’s conformation.
Once aware of the evidence an
appropriate treatment can be
formulated.
The type of shoe and fit will aim to
encourage an as fluent as possible
stride, level foot fall, or, if not
possible, a roll into landing and a
central base of support below the
limb, when moving through the
weight-
stride.
So, easing the stride and cushioning
the impact sums up much of what
can be done.
Other than wear and tear on the
veteran horse’s feet, the metabolic
changes in some horses sadly induce
laminitis which is a subject on its
own.
Provided the above points are
routinely addressed, both the horse
and farrier should grow old
gracefully together.
It is up to the owner to provide a
suitable environment in which the
horse can thrive and have realistic
expectations of both the horse and
farrier.
I know a number of horses in their thirties, but still enjoying quality of life, even one or two ponies over forty, one still a leading rein pony.
Base narrow, weak hocks
Hind limb ample heel support
The areas on which to concentrate to enable the older horse to remain active in relative soundness are:
- Keep the toes of the hooves short to ease natural breakover and avoid stumbling, particularly because there may be reduced flexion and stiffness in the Limbs.
- Provide ample support in the back half of the hoof to reduce excessive tension on the suspensory ligament and flexors of the limb.
- Incorporate anti-
concussive shock absorbing materials in the shoeing equation.
- Provide extra support in the way of lateral or medial or caudal extensions for limb stability, especially for the hocks in the hind limbs
We shoe for the limbs’ sake as much as the feet.
Moderate lateral extension