Posted by Patty Stiller on October 05, 2003 at 11:12:34:
In Reply to: Re: different breakover posted by Gary on October 04, 2003 at 00:43:27:
: : : My mare wears four shoes, her front shoes have a rocker toe. She is almost 4 weeks into her last reset. The farrier is out in a week and a half to reset her, same as normal length of time.
: : : In the last week or so I have noticed that she has started to breakover to one side of the rocker, to the outside edge to be exact. The outside half of her rocker is worn more than the inside half. This is not normal for this mare. She does a far bit of walking on pavement (to get to the arena and to her paddock), so I expect the shoes to wear a little faster then if she only walked on grass.
: : : Any idea as to why she has started to wear the outside before the inside all of the sudden??
: : : Thanks
: : : Amanda
: : Have your farrier watch her move and ask him/her the same question and concerns.
: : Phil
: Does your mare paw when tied or on concrete? Alot of times they will wear off part of the shoe that way. Just wondering? Gary
Many horses naturaly wear the toe slightly to the outside as it is natural for their foot to breakover there. This is because as the horse shifts the weight to one le, and hte leg is fastened to the outside of the center of gracvity rather in the middle, the body over the one supporting front leg leans to the outside to center the weight over the single foot that is on the ground. You can get a graphic demonstration of this is you stand square then pick up one leg... see where your body leans to keep yopu from tipping sideways.
However since some horses wear the toe diectly in the middle desp[ite the natural tendency to lean a bit with every step, ask yourself if she has always been in the rocker toes and this is the first time she is wearing the toe differently, or of this is the foirst time she has had rocker toes and you just noticed the wear?
If this is the truly the first time she has begun wearing the toe differently, I would look for several things.
Back pain can cause a horse to place their feet more "under their body" so check for change in saddle, pads, or other tack, or training methods. Are the teeth needing attention?If teeth are painful the horse may cary himself differently too.
Check the hooves for any overall change in shape and especially symmetery in the hoof wall. Dishing or flaring on one side of the foot, or bulging on one side are indicators of medial lateral (side to side) hoof inbalance andthe farrier may need to reassess that.
If the shoe is wearing noticeably thinner on one whole side, then that too can be an ndicator of hoof imbalance and the side that is wearing thin may need to be trimmed more.
Patty