Posted by liane on April 17, 2004 at 00:28:29:
In Reply to: Re: Hock issues in dressage horses. posted by malinda on September 11, 2003 at 09:55:33:
Just a little FYI from a dressage rider and physio. See the discussion of Dr. Hillary Clayton re: Dressage Horses.
She states... the hindlegs are for predominantly for propulsion, while the front legs are used predominantly for breaking, which gives us our collection and the ability to raise the forhand. As the horse increases in collection, the forlimbs provide more and more breaking forces, raising the horse thru the withers, while the hindlegs provide forward propulsion. Without the forlegs working hard to maintain the elevation, the horse would fall on the forehand- collection does not come solely from the hindquarters.
I am concerned that this theory is what most misunderstand about dressage horses and their needs for a strong base of support in the foot. I have seen so many horses including my own damaged by this small foot syndrome created by excessive breakover and rasping so much foot to smaller and smaller feet, thereby taking away the ground bearing surface they need to support their larger frame and more extravagent gaits. (as Doug Butler calls it a return to common sense horse shoeing) I am not in any way a proponant of long toe low heel shoeing either but, midway between and no extremes. I have had my farrier move to a bigger shoe with heel support still set back with a round toe. The results so far have been decreased filling in the legs, much more ability to push from behind and decreased gleuteal soreness. This says to me the hocks are happier. Thoughts anyone?