Equine Handling Exam 2

Hoof

• dynamic structure

• functions as 2nd heart

• major role in circulation

Hoof wall

divided into toe, quarter, and heel

made of horny material

Hoof: Quarters

side portion of the hoof wall, between the toe and heels

Hoof: Heels

Back portion

Hell bulbs are softer than hoof wall, bars, sole, and can easily get bruised

Hoof: Bars

Inward fold of the hoof wall from the heels on the underside of the foot

Hoof: Sole

Hard tissue on the bottom of the hoof surrounded by the wall, bars, and frog

Hoof: Frog

Soft, wedge-shaped tissue in the center of the bottom hoof

Hoof: Coronary band

Junction of the skin and hair w the hoof wall, where new hoof growth begins

Hoof: White line

Junction between the hoof wall and sole on the bottom of the hoof

Hold the hoof together

Acts as a barrier to keep dirt/germs out

Frog

Helps absorb shock and pushes blood back up the leg when horse moves

important for healthy circulation and hoof flexibility

takes us 23% of hoof sole surface

tough rubbery tissue

The frog is made of special type of … and is …. and more….

keratin, softer, elastic

Frog elasticity is due to

higher moisture content than rest of the hoof

looser keratin structure

thicker layers of epidermal tissue

Hoof (I): Coffin bone

“distal phalanx”

large bone inside hoof

Hoof (I): Navicular bone

“distal sesamoid bone”

small bone inside the hoof

lies behind coffin bone, under pastern bone

Hoof (I): Horn

Hard tissue that makes up hoof wall

consists of keratin

Keratin is…

the main structural protein of the epidermis

Hoof (I): Lamina

interlocking membranes that hold hoof wall to internal hood structures

The laminae are thin, leaf-like layers inside the hoof. They attach the….working like…

hoof wall to the pedal bone, strong hooks to hold everything in place

There are 2 types of laminae

sensitive laminae: w blood supply

insensitive laminae: part of the hoof wall

Internal white line

where sensitive and insensitive laminae meet

Hoof (I): White Line

Junction between the hoof wall and coffin bone down to sole on the bottom of the hoof

Hoof (I): Digital cushion

thick, soft pad located under the pedal (coffin)bone

shock absorber when the horse moves, reducing impact on bones and joints

helps pump blood back up to leg (important for hoof health)

Practive hood handling

routinely

Front v. Hind foot shape

Front: round

Hind: oval/ more sloped

Toes grow… than heels

faster

Hoof grows approx.

0.25 in/ month

Trim/shoe every…

6-8 weeks

Hoof care tools

hoof pick

Nippers

Rasp

Hoof Knife

Hoof & pastern angle should all…

be the same

Any corrections should be made..

slowly over time

Common Problems

Thrush

White line

Sole bruise

Common Problems

Abscess

Quarter cracks

Laminitis affects the laminae int the horse hoof. These tissues act like…

velcro, forming a strong bond to adhere hoof to coffin bone

Laminities causes these tissues to…, weaken, and become damaged, which can cause,,,

stretch, the pedal bone to move within the hoof

Laminitis stance

Horse rocks weight back on hind legs to take weight off front feet

Laminitis causes: inflammatory

caused by overeating high sugar/ starch feeds

Laminitis causes: Mechanical

compensatory or abnormal weight bearing

overwork

improper foot care

Most common causes for laminitis

hormonal

metabolic

3 stages of laminitis

Subclinical laminitis

Acute Laminitis

Chronic Laminitis

Subclinical Laminitis

small changes

horse shows no/very subtle signs

Acute Laminitis

First signs of lameness appear

often feel heat or exaggerated pulse in foot

Chronic Laminitis

painful changes to hoof structures

visible changes of outside of hoof

Chronic laminitis horses are at high risk of future laminitis episodes

Founder

Lameness generally evaluated at the

TROT in straight lines and circling each way

Front end lameness

horse tends to raise head when affected limb is on the ground

Hind end lameness

Horse tends to drop head when affected limb is on the ground

Horse may drop hip when affected limb is off ground

Grades of lameness

0-5

Common injuries of lower limb

bone, soft tissue, joint, skin

Lower (distal) limb anatomy

everything below the knee and hock including cannon, hock joint, pastern, hoof

There is no muscle below the knee and hock

true

9 distal limb bones

Cannon, 2 splint, 2 sesamoid, long pastern, short pastern, navicular bone, coffin bone

“popped” splint

inflammation or trauma of the interosseous ligament between the cannon and splint boned

“popped” splint results in a…

painful, warm swelling, usually on the inner front legs

“popped” splint is common in…

young, working horses