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Couldn't help but take a look at the textbook on Equinue Podiatry being offered via the Amazon ads on the left hand side of this site. Lloks like they use fancy thermography gizmo's to assess the hoof. I wonder how equine podiatry biomechanics guru's approach functional hoof limitus with a dysfunctional windlass?

Does anyone have any experiences working with vets in this area?

LL

 

I have tried to have an educated conversation with vets who specialise in this area but once they realise you might be serious the walls close in pretty quick!

Equine 'podiatry' (I prefer mechanics) is very difficult-have you ever seen the champion horse 'Jardine's Lookout' walk? You wouldn't give 50c for him if that's all you had to go on!

So to answer you LL-yes but no luck!

 

Dear LL
In the UK we have "Remedial Farriers" who in my experience are the equivalent of podiatrists for the equines. They are farriers (5 year training and apprenticeship) who then study equine foot function in further depth and are able to alter the timing, weight distribution and foot/limb function by using specialised shoes and hoof trimming techniques. One such specialist treated one of my horses a few years ago (interesting conversations as you can imagine).

Best regards,
Poll

 

Hi Poll,

I too used to have many conversations with my farrier over the mechanics of the horses feet and limbs.

In humans we (Podiatrists) can use a variety of orthoses, shoe modifications, braces, calipers etc, etc, to aid and improve (hopefully) the mechanics of gait. In horses its soo much more difficult, farriers only having hoof trimming and shoes (of which there are many many types) at their disposal. IMHO Farriers are better placed than Vets to discuss these issues, (with the odd exeption of the equine specialist vets). I certainly used to discuss these sorts of things with my farrier. Both my horses had different styles of shoes to suit their activities and limb alignment. Fascinating stuff.