Guidelines For Horse Hoof Trimming

One of the biggest troubles with discussing horse hoof trimming and balance is that when it comes to hoof balance, there isn't a set definition. This makes it challenging for everyone to achieve a balanced foot. At the 2009 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 5-9 in Las Vegas, Nev., one practitioner discussed guidelines for characterizing hoof balance and for trimming the foot to achieve proper function.

"The term 'hoof balance' has no meaning, but we all say it," said Stephen E. O'Grady, BVSc, MRCVS, of Northern Virginia Equine in Marshall, Va. "It's a concept that means something different to everyone. Hoof balance has been the term used by veterinarians and farriers to describe the theoretical ideal shape or conformation of a given foot, the position of the hoof relative to the limb above, and the way that the foot should be trimmed."

The term "hoof balance" has been used to refer to geometric balance (symmetry of hoof shape), dynamic balance (flat landing of the hoof on a hard surface), three-dimensional balance, and natural balance, said O'Grady. However, he said that no method of "balancing the foot" will yield optimum foot conformation for every variation of equine conformation, and that "balancing the foot" might yield very different foot shapes according to variations in equine conformation (such as toeing in or out, or a club foot).

He offered an alternative: "An option to the term hoof balance would be to use a set of biomechanical principles or landmarks as guidelines that could be applied to every horse and have a universal meaning," he said. "The foot can be evaluated, trimmed, and/or shod in a consistent, reproducible manner that considers:

• The hoof-pastern axis (HPA);
• The center of articulation;
• Heels extending to the base of the frog.

"These principles can be used by the clinician to evaluate every hoof and access the type and suitability of farriery that is presently employed," he noted. "Additionally, they can serve as landmarks for trimming and shoeing."