A Breeder's Notebook: A horse's feet tell you where he is. Endurance Horse December 2010

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A tell horse ’ s feet you where he is. A Breeders Notebook:

By Johan Dreyer

Feet are fundamental for a horse to be what he is. The foot is not just the end of the leg, but a living, constantly changing and very complicated part of the limb which is all the same part of the horse and can’t be studied in isolation.1

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neglect.

1. This is not an attempt at farrier science as it is much more complicated, but there are things that every breeder should know and, besides, it’s fascinating if you are really into caring for your horse.


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2. The soft horn secreted by the perioplic ring that covers the coronary band. After exposure it hardens into a hard varnish-like covering of the hoof wall. 3. Thrush is a necrotic infection of the frog. 4. Narrowness eliminates oxygen and thus oxidation, the only real defence against these bacteria. 5.There is a long list of very nasty oxidants that horse owners have used, but I don’t think it will promote anything mentioning them.


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Starting at the bearing surface extending upwards, if they do not penetrate to the white line they are not serious. It is usually the consequence of overlong hoofs. Originating at the coronary band extending downwards is much more serious. Bleeding and caused by concussion, thin walls, and brittle hoofs. If they open as the horse steps on the hoof they are really serious.

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Sources: The Lame Horse < K #

Elements of Farrier Science </ & ( Lower Leg Lameness < / /

Johan can be reached at dreyerjohan@yahoo.com


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