Lameness, underperformance, compensations... The consequences of a poorly fitted horseshoe can lead to significant pain in a sport horse. How can you recognize the signs of a poorly fitted horseshoe, and what are the potential consequences? Find some answers in this article!
The distribution of pressure
A toe that no longer touches the ground, crushed heels… There are signs that are unmistakable to professionals specialized in equine orthopedics. A collapsed rear support highlights poor load distribution, with significant pressure on the back of the hoof.
In this article, you will discover the case of a sport horse presenting lameness in the right forelimb with swelling at the distal interphalangeal joint. The horse showed visible pain in the frog and toe areas, with excessive weight bearing on the back of the hoof. Significant pressure was also transmitted to the pastern, as confirmed by the radiographic images.
In this horse’s case, the veterinarian, in collaboration with the farrier, prioritized redistributing the pressure across the entire hoof and providing comfort, simply by changing the shoeing strategy.
Collaboration between veterinarian and farrier
Providing comfort, working on the palmar angle, and improving the center of gravity to increase the contact surface with the ground were the objectives pursued to help this sport horse.
The shoeing was carried out in collaboration with the farrier and veterinarian. The two X-rays above were taken during an interim shoeing. Significant improvements were observed, encouraging the continuation of the chosen hoof management strategy.
Pressure on the heels was reduced, and the center of gravity was rebalanced. The palmar angle was also properly adjusted, moving from -6.59 degrees during the initial assessment to 0.08 degrees at the second visit. The pressure exerted on the pastern (P1/P2 angle) also improved, changing from 12.47 to 9.59 degrees, thereby enhancing the alignment of the phalanges.
Poor alignment of the phalanges can lead to overload on certain structures of the limb and hoof. A better arrangement of the bones thus reduces stress on the joints, tendons, and ligaments.
The modification of angles and the change in shoeing strategy have provided comfort to the horse. It now moves much more freely on the entire hoof during locomotion.
Improvements in the horse's overall condition have also been observed, with better flexibility of the brachiocephalic muscles, reduced pressure in the neck, and on the lower cervical vertebrae. The horse was completely blocked on the right side and was unable to turn. Multiple visits from the equine osteopath had not been able to resolve the issue.
This problem has not been reported by the rider since the change in shoeing.
Chosen shoeing strategy
Upon taking charge of this horse, the veterinarian observed that the foot made contact with the ground in two phases. The horse was unable to place its toe down first. Instead, it initially placed the back of the hoof on the ground, and then, very quickly, with minimal weight bearing, the front part.
This gait continued to crush the back of the hoof repeatedly. According to the practitioner, the stress on the navicular bone was likely excessive as well. Swelling of the sheath was observed on the deep flexor tendon, confirming abnormal stress on the tissues. Sensitivity of the DDFT (deep digital flexor tendon) was detectable upon palpation. This pain decreased with the new shoeing.
From the outside, the hoof did not appear to be poorly managed visually according to the veterinarian. However, the X-rays and the horse’s overall behavior indicated that things were not right, despite the successive treatments from various professionals: equine osteopaths, farriers, and veterinarians.
Initially, the practitioners focused on the distal interphalangeal joint, injecting this joint several times without any lasting improvement for the horse. Relapses were observed just about fifteen days after the interventions.
The current team, comprising the veterinarian and the farrier, aimed to better distribute pressure across the entire hoof while maximizing comfort. The use of a silicone pad on the back of the hoof was chosen. The front part of the hoof remains without silicone. The branches of the shoes were also lengthened, and the shoe was pulled back. The new shoeing still incorporates two toe clips as before, but the size of the shoe has also been increased.
In the first six weeks, the horse showed significant positive progress. This improvement was observed both clinically and in its overall behavior and under saddle, achieved solely through the change in shoeing without the need for injections.
Overall, the horse appears comfortable in its front limbs and has a much freer locomotion. The withers are relieved, and the horse no longer shows stomach pain, which was likely related to the anxiety caused by its hoof pain, according to its veterinarian.
French saddle horse and farriery
Short shoeing and crushing shoeing… Poorly fitted shoes can have detrimental consequences on the performance and health of horses. A lack of shoe opening can encourage the contraction of the bulbs or the contraction of the frog at the back, according to the veterinarian overseeing the case presented in this article. The Selle Français breed is particularly prone to this type of issue, making its management more challenging.
The right balance between support, protection to avoid contracting the back of the hoof, and the realities of the terrain—such as limiting the risk of losing shoes by shortening the branches of the shoes—is a daily challenge for saddle horse farriers.
The quality of each horse’s hooves, the environment in which it lives, and its lifestyle are just as important as the shoeing itself. Collaboration among all the professionals involved with the same horse is essential to achieve high levels of athletic performance and well-being.
