| JOKER |  |
| BREED | : | SB |
| AGE | : | 28 years old |
| HEIGHT | : | 16 hh |
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COMMENTS
Joker is retired and has not been trimmed frequently enough, which has resulted in many problems. As a horse ages, more overall care should be administered with special attention to hooves. As exercise is most probably infrequent, hooves do not wear down and it is therefore imperative to maintain optimum health by 4 weekly correct barefoot trims. Note the overgrown and chipped hoof in the background. The after photos do not show a perfect hoof, however the hooves are well on their way to becoming strong, healthy and well functioning.
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Before 1st Corrective Trim
Right Hind - Side View
11.04.09 |
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After 1st Corrective Trim
Right Hind - Side View
11.04.09 |
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Before 1st Corrective Trim
Left Hind - Underneath View
11.04.09 |
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After 1st Corrective Trim
Left Hind - Underneath View
11.04.09 |
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High heels - observation
The heels are too high, which promotes a toe first landing. This inhibits extension of joints in the limb, places stress on the tendons and ligaments, and incorrectly distributes weight onto the front area of the hoof - an area not designed to incur such extreme force. (yellow dotted lines)
Action taken
By lowering the heel height as much as possible, the weight is more correctly distributed which promotes a heel strike. This results in the correct utilisation of shock absorption structures, expansion of the hoof and also extension of the limb.
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Long toes - observation
The toes are too long from either incorrect or infrequent trimming. Break over becomes difficult and excess force is placed on the toe area of the hoof resulting in compromised wall/laminar connection. (turquoise arrows)
Action taken
The excess toe has been removed as much as possible and a mustang roll applied according to the thickness of hoof wall. Leverage forces are removed, thus facilitating a tight wall/laminar connection.
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Splits and chips - observation
The splits, chips, cracks and breakages have occurred due to a combination of factors - usually poor hoof horn along with either infrequent or incorrect trimming. (pink arrow)
Action taken
The splits, chips, cracks and breakages have been removed as much as possible. With consistent and correct trimming these will not reoccur.
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Flares all sides - observation
The tendency for flared (rather than upward) hoof growth in conjunction with stress from infrequent or incorrect trimming has resulted with probable stretching of the laminar/wall connection.
Action taken
With each consecutive and consistent trim, the flares will be removed and will be resolved.
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White line disease - observation
Opportunistic bacteria/fungi have multiplied in the stressed tissue space, resulting in white line disease. (orange dotted circle)
Action taken
Non invasive removal of the dead and infected tissue, frequent trimming and most importantly removal of the cause ensures that it will not spread further. Over time diseased tissue will be replaced with healthy and functional regrowth.
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