Posted by Jaye on February 02, 2003 at 05:56:43:
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.
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, 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
I first saw this at the Atlanta horse show in '92 on a GP Jumper, then in a dressage horse from Italy in '96 at the Olympics. They both had a toe first impact at the trot and canter. Wedges were applied and foot flight improved, they both stood in the shop with their heels off the ground. Both had painful areas around the the Greater Trochanter areas and both had a slight "shiver" when the back legs were lifted for shoeing. The hind end conformation was that of "Tied" in at the hock, where the muscalature was heavy across the hips and tapered sharply down to the hock upon the lateral view.
Some thoughts from the past
Jaye