Posted by Derin Foor on July 23, 2001 at 23:22:23:
In Reply to: Overreaching or overextending posted by Brian on July 21, 2001 at 23:56:21:
: I'm hoping you can give me some information on curing my horse of a reoccurring problem. I call the problem overextending or overreaching. He clips his front heels with his rear hooves. The trainer calls it quarter cracks. The hooves have no cracks. It does not seem to happen on firm dirt (4 inches or less) or turf only deep dirt. The overreaching problem occurs when he has long toes and low heels. He is clipping himself about half way up between the hoof and the fetlock on the back of the pastern. This problem also never happens at home but only at the track after the track farrier trims him.
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: Measuring his hooves one is nearly 1/2 inch shorter than the other (Front) & not level. #2 I also think he needs special shoes......something that will make him more stable on dirt tracks. Regular front and rear aluminum racing plates do not seem to work. Could you recommend a shoe that could stop the slippage when he runs on dirt? Would you have any other suggestions that I might try? This horse is a 4 year old that was set to race last fall but had this same problem. Got him ready to run this spring and again the problem reoccurred. Just got him healed up and took him to the track a couple of days ago and this time he clipped his heels while galloping.
: I would appreciate any help you could provide me..... Thank you very much.
: Brian Schulz
Brian,
Over-reaching and quarter cracks are two totally different problems...your trainer should stick to what he knows....not shoeing!
if the farrier is leaving your horse out of balance then you have a problem.....it sounds like LTLH (long toe low heel)syndrome might be a problem here.......over-reach boots would be indicated until the problem is resolved to reduce further injury..... a lameness exam might be necessary if proper shoeing doesnt correct the problem
good luck ~~~~~~ Derin