Hoof & Dental Management

Sound Hoof Care

Objectives COMPETENCY

EQ16.00- Determine management practices for sound hoof and dental care.

OBJECTIVE EQ16.01- Practice good hoof care.

Parts of Horse’s Foot

Hoof Wall A horny substance of

parallel fibers protected by periople, a varnish like coating, that holds moisture in the hoof.

Functions Weight bearing surface Protect internal

structure Maintain moisture

Parts of Horse’s Foot

Coronet (Coronary Band Area directly above

hoof wall Source of growth

for hoof wall

Parts of Horse’s Foot

Pastern Located between

fetlock and coronet on horse’s leg.

Affects stride of horse

Parts of Horse’s Foot

Sole Horny substance

that protects the sensitive inner portions

Parts of Horse’s Foot

Frog Triangular shaped

formation in the sole.

Frog of healthy hoof must remain elastic, acts like a shock absorber.

Hoof Design

Hoof will change shape when weight is applied. When weight is applied, sole

flattens and hoof expands laterally at the heel.

Growth of Hoof Growth rate of hoof – 3/8 inch per month

depending on exercise and health Hind hooves grow faster than front due to less

weight to rise Unshod hooves grow faster than shod. Nails

and shoe limits movement Hooves of mares & geldings grow faster than

stallions. They get more exercise Hoof grows at 45 to 55 degree angle with

ground

Important Hoof Care Points Care includes:

a. Routine cleaning with pick. Pick from heel to toe to prevent injury

b. Trim every 4-6 weeks to retain proper shape & length

c. Correct minor imperfections by trimming – splayfoot, toed in and out

d. Treat foot diseases and injuries. e. Thrush – bacterial infection that penetrates

the frog, making it soft. Related to lack of cleaning

Why Shoe?1. Protect from excessive wear2. Better traction3. Correct defects of stance and gait4. Help cure diseased/defected hooves such as

inflamed tendons5. Provide relief from pain such as bruised

soles & hoof wall cracks

Why Not Shoe?

Increases shock and road concussion. Nail holes weaken the hoof wall, may cause

separation provide entry for infection. Does not improve agility

MethodsProper fitting shoe follows the outline of the

trimmed hoof at the toe and around the wall to the bend of the quarter, then widen gradually until it extends laterally 1/8 inch beyond the hoof wall at the heel. This provides support for the expanded hoof when the horse places weight on the shod foot.

Methods Branch of a properly fitted shoe should not

project beyond the upper part of the hoof at the heel

The last (posterior) nail should be placed on the widest part of the hoof. Placing the nail too far to the rear hinders the lateral expansion of the foot at the heel.

Hoof and Dental ManagementDental Needs

Objectives COMPETECY

EQ16.00- Determine management practices for sound hoof and dental care.

OBJECTIVE EQ16.02- Evaluate dental needs.

Common Problems1. Painful sores in mouth due to sharp edges

or hooks on molars when they don’t meet evenly

2. Wolf teeth cause bit problems3. Canine teeth get too long, hit opposite gum,

cause sores4. Temporary teeth may stick to gums while

permanent teeth are coming in

Common Problems

5. Parrot mouth – lower jaw is too short. Affects ability to graze

Common Problems6. Chipped/broken incisors – may result from

cribbinga. Cribbing – bad habit resulting from boredomb. Cribbing – equine grabs objects with teeth, arches neck and swallows air

Recognizing Problems

1. Observe Equine while eating for chewing problems

a. Moves food around in mouth a lot prior to swallowing, food falls from equine’s mouth

b. Refuses to eat

2. Examine mouth by:a. Grasp lower jaw with one hand to open

mouthb. At same time, use other hand to pull and hold

equine’s tongue to side of mouth to visual inspect.

Correcting Problems

1. Vet uses a rasp called a float to file and remove sharp edges

2. Vet pulls wolf teeth

Correcting Problems3. Parrot mouth is inherited. Don’t breed4. To prevent cribbing:

a. Place a cribbing strap around throatlatchb. Strap presses on the trachea when the neck

arches back