Re: Hind Feet toe first landing

Posted by Stephen E O'Grady on January 31, 2003 at 18:19:25:

In Reply to: Re: Hind Feet toe first landing posted by James Rooney on January 31, 2003 at 13:44:15:

: : : : I recently read an article that stated the front feet should land flat and the hind should land slightly toe first, does this sound right to anyone? I am shoeing horses that do land toe first in the hind at a trot and canter.

: : : : Phil

: : : This seems to come up periodically, usually without supporting evidence. When moving slowly, at the walk, the feet, fore and hind, land flat. As the speed increases both impact more and more heel first; then toe. Toe first impact is not usual nor normal except when landing from a jump when the fore feet will routinely impact toe first. I say that is usual and normal landing from a jump and is-according to my studies- a major factor in the high incidence of navicular disease in jumping horses. I discuss this at length in The Lame Horse and on my web site here in horseshoes.com.

: : Thank you for your response. I am currently shoeing a dressage horse that the hind feet tend to jab into the ground while in a slow controlled trot and trotting in place. When he is at an extended trot he seems to land a little flatter. The other thing the rider and I notice is that when he is in a turn the jabbing is more noticeable especilly on his right hind. I have tried increasing breakover, decreasing breakover and it does not seem to make any difference. I am wondering if it is more related to the tendons or is this common in dressage horses due to the type of work they do.

: : Phil

: Phil, I am no authority on the peculiarities of dressage horses. I do think a thorough neurological examination (physical) would be in order. I have seen this sort of thing in other horses with definite, but not so obvious, neurological disease. jrooney

Phil

I would concur with what Dr Rooney has stated. Another option would be to have a veterinarian block (local anesthesia) this horse's foot and the observe his landing pattern. May be surprised.

Stephen O'Grady, DVM

Follow Ups:

This is a very influential speculative novel of gary joe 16:39:11 07/08/04 (0)
Re: Hind Feet toe first landing Phil Armitage 20:37:28 02/01/03 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: : : : : I recently read an article that stated the front feet should land flat and the hind should land slightly toe first, does this sound right to anyone? I am shoeing horses that do land toe first in the hind at a trot and canter. : : : : : Phil : : : : This seems to come up periodically, usually without supporting evidence. When moving slowly, at the walk, the feet, fore and hind, land flat. As the speed increases both impact more and more heel first; then toe. Toe first impact is not usual nor normal except when landing from a jump when the fore feet will routinely impact toe first. I say that is usual and normal landing from a jump and is-according to my studies- a major factor in the high incidence of navicular disease in jumping horses. I discuss this at length in The Lame Horse and on my web site here in horseshoes.com. : : : Thank you for your response. I am currently shoeing a dressage horse that the hind feet tend to jab into the ground while in a slow controlled trot and trotting in place. When he is at an extended trot he seems to land a little flatter. The other thing the rider and I notice is that when he is in a turn the jabbing is more noticeable especilly on his right hind. I have tried increasing breakover, decreasing breakover and it does not seem to make any difference. I am wondering if it is more related to the tendons or is this common in dressage horses due to the type of work they do. : : : Phil : : Phil, I am no authority on the peculiarities of dressage horses. I do think a thorough neurological examination (physical) would be in order. I have seen this sort of thing in other horses with definite, but not so obvious, neurological disease. jrooney : Phil : I would concur with what Dr Rooney has stated. Another option would be to have a veterinarian block (local anesthesia) this horse's foot and the observe his landing pattern. May be surprised. : Stephen O'Grady, DVM

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ General #10 ]