Hoof Distortions

NEW in November 2023: Revised version of our Hoof Distortions Book.

We are all familiar with hoof distortions such as cracks, flares, long toes and bulging hairlines but how do we tell if they are just a minor blemish or whether they are in fact hiding much more serious issues?

Horse hooves are dynamic structures which allows them to distort and change according to outside pressures and the environment.  This helps prevent imbalances from being translated to the bony column of the horse.  

Slight changes here and there are fairly common, but hoof distortions are often cumulative and once they start adding up, the hoof then becomes much more susceptible to collapse.

The hoof is made to distort

 and is both soft and hard

The first two pages provide an introduction to the structures that are most affected by distortions...click here to read more

If a picture is worth a thousand words….how about hundreds of pictures?

Next we learn about where the hoof capsule originates from and take an in-depth look at the coronary corium and coronary groove.

Shifting structures, but why?

This is where we introduce some of the changes that are seen within the hoof capsule.

The hoof is flexible so that it can adapt to its environment and minimize stress to the horse.

The un-sung hero for dealing with hoof imbalances

Hairline distortions are very common but what causes them? This spread shows three different cases and delves into the mechanics of this type of distortion.

What are the sole and  coronary band telling you?

Here is a unique way to compare sole distribution and coffin bone shape in 3 distinctly different hooves.

Sneaky distal descent

These photos begin to reveal the extensive damage that is caused when there is distal descent of the coffin bone.

Effects of Distal Descent

It is shocking how often distal descent is seen in x-rays, yet rarely is anyone as alarmed as we are. 

Distal descent is most definitely not a mere blemish. This makes it vitally important to identify it early so as to prevent extensive damage.

Some distortions are more obvious than others

Most owners are concerned by the dubbed toe like the hoof on the right, but not many think twice about a tidy little foot like the one on the left, however that long toe is hiding a multitude of issues.

The magic is in the comparisons

Image by image we help you 'see' how hoof shape interacts with the internal structures.

The bars and collateral grooves

Overlaid bar or distorted collateral groove?

Adaptations to bone loss

A crena is an area of bone loss. What fills the void and how does that affect the horse?

High - Low, can they ever match?

Here we compare the high foot with the low foot on the same horse. These dissections reveal so much startling information about this all too common issue.

A blemish that drives owners crazy!

Luckily horses are rarely lame from surface cracks. But when you see the extent of the internal damage beneath these seemingly minor cracks, it is mind-blowing that this is the case.

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