SmartPak Presents: Healthy Hooves 360: expert hoof care advice from farrier Danvers Child, CJF

Healthy Hooves 360 with expert farrier Danvers Child, CJF August 22, 2012 Additional Speakers: Lydia F. Gray, DVM Medical Director/Staff Veterinarian Jessica Normand Senior Director – SmartSupplements™Photo Credits: April Raine

Danvers Child, CJFA lifelong horseman and practicing farrier since 1972, Danvers specializes in shoeing sport and performance horses. He served as a supervisor forthe Official Farriers at the Alltech FEI 2010 World Equestrian Games, and he also serves as an Official Farrier for the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day Event. SmartPak.com

Agenda• Hoof and limb anatomy and function• Visual assessment: limb and hoof capsule• Things that can go wrong• What leads to a healthy hoof?• Questions & Answers3 SmartPak.com

Hoof and Limb Anatomy and FunctionThe goals of proper hoof care include:•Keeping the capsule under they boney column of the limb•Providing a base to “drive” from•Giving the horse a sense of confidence and willingness•Keeping gaits true•Providing adjustment for conditions/environment4 SmartPak.com

Hoof and Limb Anatomy and Function5

Hoof and Limb Anatomy and Function: Hoof “Landmarks” • Points of concern include angles and break over points • One can get a general idea of whether these are appropriately set by looking to certain “landmarks” on the hoof6

Hoof and Limb Anatomy and Function7 SmartPak.com

Hoof and Limb Anatomy and Function• The hoof is plastic, not elastic – It wears and abrades – It distorts and deforms8

Hoof and Limb Anatomy and Function• Form follows function – Since the function of the front limb and hind limb are radically different, we cannot generalize about the hoof – Instead we should generalize about fronts and hinds 9

Hoof and Limb Anatomy and Function• Shoe shape corresponds to the shape of the coffin bone and to the function of the hoof and limb10

Visual Assessment: Limb and Hoof Capsule• Relationship of hoof capsule to the limb – The hoof is on an oblique angle to the limb – As a result, it grows forward as well as downward 11 SmartPak.com

Visual Assessment: Limb and Hoof Capsule12

Things that can go wrong: Distortions of the hoof capsule• Causes of Distortions – The hoof is plastic, not elastic – The mass of the horse above the hoof – Conformational or gait faults – (Not unlike the uneven wear and tear we put on our own shoes)• Distortions primarily show up as flares – Often exaggerated by lack of maintenance/poor maintenance13

Things that can go wrong: Distortions of the hoof capsule14

Things that can go wrong: Cracks• All cracks are not equal• Superficial cracks – Include checks and fissures – Note: hooves that show no cracks may actually be overly hydrated and prone to distortion and breakdown• Penetrating cracks – Those that reflect structural failure – Often results from the combination of imbalance, weakened hoof wall or poor/neglected maintenance15

Things that can go wrong: Cracks16

Things that can go wrong: Cracks17

Things that can go wrong: Sole and Frog• Sole – Should be thick enough to provide a natural pad and protect the contents of the hoof capsule• Frog – Should be prominent enough to serve as a shock absorber and to provide a stimulus for vascularity18

Things that can go wrong: Sole and Frog Healthy Frog Unhealthy Frog19

What Leads to a Healthy Hoof? 1. Climate/Environment 2. Exercise/Activity 3. Professional Maintenance 4. Nutrition20 SmartPak.com

What Leads to a Healthy Hoof?• Climate/Environment – Regulating moisture (sudden, constant shifts from wet to dry)21 SmartPak.com

What Leads to a Healthy Hoof?• Exercise/Activity – Horses were designed to graze and meander up to 20 hours/day22 SmartPak.com

What Leads to a Healthy Hoof?• Professional Maintenance – Contemporary horse-keeping in artificial environments and conditions results in the need for regular hoof maintenance by a qualified professional23 SmartPak.com

What Leads to a Healthy Hoof?• Nutrition – Ensure the horse has a complete and balanced diet – For horses with hoof problems, hoof supplements support hoof wall growth and integrity – The results of an improved diet take time24 SmartPak.com

What Leads to a Healthy Hoof? Results after approximately 9 months of improved professional maintenance, supplementing with SmartHoof and excellent owner compliance.25

Questions & Answers SmartPak.com

Questions1. What is the best way to treat thrush? Should I use a daily/weekly condition on the inside (under) and outside of the hoof, if so why?2. My mares hoofs are very dry and have a lot of cracks. What can I give her as a supplement or apply to her hooves to make them softer?3. Difference between a certified farrier and a journeyman farrier?4. Is it normal for a horses hoof to be slightly larger/rounder than his other front hoof?5. My horses frogs have been peeling lately, what is this a sign of and is there anything I can do to help prevent this?6. Id like a better understanding of the tendency of underrun heels and how farriers can manage them well.7. I have a TB mare with thin soles. Are there supplements and/or nutrients that help increase sole production? And in addition, what else can I do to help promote sole growth? My understanding is that biotin promotes hoof wall growth. SmartPak.com 27

Questions8. What is the best way to deal with abcesses ?9. Im interested in hearing about a general overview of how you pick the hoof shape/angles that is correct for an individual horse.10. Are white hooves more prone to having problems that black hooves?11. Can a horse in regular work including jumping be comfortable barefoot? I have had trainers tell me they think a horse in hard work who is jumping regularly needs shoes.12. Do supplements really influence hoof growth/health? If so, what supplements are best, and how do we feed them?13. I noticed on our horse the nails from the farrier on the front hooves were not flush with the hoof. Also the hooves were cracked in these areas. Ive applied ointment twice in the last three days. Is this the result of actions of the farrier? SmartPak.com 28

Questions14. I have a 23 yr old mare with arthritis in her front pastern area. Is there a way I can instruct my farrier to trim / shoe her to help get a few more good years of light trail riding out of her? She is on SmartFlex IV supplements already. Thank you!15. My OTTB overreaches with his hind feet and often loses front shoes. Do you have any great ideas to help a horse keep his shoes on? Thanks!16. Due to the drought conditions in the Midwest this summer, should horse owners take this into consideration when choosing hoof supplements?17. My blacksmith says my horses feet grow very slow, What can I do to make them grow faster? SmartPak.com 29

Thank you for attending our Webinar! Please visit us at SmartPak.com, email us at CustomerCare@SmartPak.comor call us at 1-800-461-8898 if we can answer any further questions. ~ Your Friends at SmartPak SmartPak.com

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SmartPak Presents: Healthy Hooves 360: expert hoof care advice from farrier Danvers Child, CJF

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SmartPak Presents: Healthy Hooves 360: expert hoof care advice from farrier Danvers Child, CJF Presentation Transcript