Welcome to my web site!
Last Updated 9-8-14
Jan 2010 photo courtesy of Caroline Young
HI! I am a horse owner, turned hoof trimmer and I really love horses. (click here for questions concerning my competency and credibility) Since I created this site myself, it contains my own thoughts and conclusions based on my education and experience.
I ride my mare barefoot and bitless. I raised her from a baby;had her mother and two brothers. She's now 18 and was shod from 3 to7 years of age before I found out the benefits of barefoot hoof care. Her feet were a mess when I started. I also had 2 Hanoverians, 3 Holsteiners, 2 Tennessee Walkers, two Paso Finos, a TB, A draft cross, a quarter horse and various other horses throughout my life.
I also love to paint pet portraits, especially horses! Please look at my art.
I have written several articles for Suite 101 and The Horse's Hoof magazine.
If you have questions about your horse's particular problems. I am happy to help with photo consults too.
NEWS FLASH!! I'm RETIRING effective Sept. 29, 2014
I had a riding accident when a careless rider galloping around a blind curve almost ran into me! I jammed my right hand and must have torn some tendons in my fingers. I have been struggling with the pain and ineffective grip for some time. I appreciate all my clients and I hope you will keep up with letting me know how you and your horses are doing. I will keep this web site up for updating my own case study, Moses and for blogging. Thanks, Sandy
I ride my mare barefoot and bitless. I raised her from a baby;had her mother and two brothers. She's now 18 and was shod from 3 to7 years of age before I found out the benefits of barefoot hoof care. Her feet were a mess when I started. I also had 2 Hanoverians, 3 Holsteiners, 2 Tennessee Walkers, two Paso Finos, a TB, A draft cross, a quarter horse and various other horses throughout my life.
I also love to paint pet portraits, especially horses! Please look at my art.
I have written several articles for Suite 101 and The Horse's Hoof magazine.
If you have questions about your horse's particular problems. I am happy to help with photo consults too.
NEWS FLASH!! I'm RETIRING effective Sept. 29, 2014
I had a riding accident when a careless rider galloping around a blind curve almost ran into me! I jammed my right hand and must have torn some tendons in my fingers. I have been struggling with the pain and ineffective grip for some time. I appreciate all my clients and I hope you will keep up with letting me know how you and your horses are doing. I will keep this web site up for updating my own case study, Moses and for blogging. Thanks, Sandy
NEW! 3D Anatomy of the horse's foot
Check out navicular case study "Moses"
I'm trimming and taking photos of Moses every 4 weeks so be sure to follow his case study. He has joint adaptation as well as M-L imbalance and contraction on all 4. Last update and trim 10-19-14.
"Navicular No More"
Look for my case study in Dr. Strasser's new book, "Navicular No More" just published! Buy it at The Horse's Hoof web site.
Video of two horses I used to trim
Articles in The Horse's Hoof Magazine
"Going Too Long Between Trims" Summer issue 47 The issue is a fantastic one with some controversial findings on wild horse feet! Please consider subscribing to The Horse's Hoof!
Here is the PDF file of my article for my readers: /uploads/2/7/4/2/2742461/sandyjudy3.pdf
Also don't miss my article titled, "Transition = Resurrection" in issue 44 of The Horse's Hoof Issue!
Here's a comment from FB:
"I think your article, "Transition = Resurrection" is the most important thing about barefoot care I've ever read!" B. Goldberg
Here is the PDF file of my article for my readers: /uploads/2/7/4/2/2742461/sandyjudy3.pdf
Also don't miss my article titled, "Transition = Resurrection" in issue 44 of The Horse's Hoof Issue!
Here's a comment from FB:
"I think your article, "Transition = Resurrection" is the most important thing about barefoot care I've ever read!" B. Goldberg
Check out one horse thru 5 years of trimming
Juste
Draft cross
This Section on the Coffin Bone is filled with important info
Please explore all my pages! There's lots and lots of info on each one.
Conformation Before Trimming
When a horse has untrimmed or incorrectly trimmed hooves, it will usually stand in an uncomfortable posture like this. The front legs will be back under the horse; the hinds will be tucked forward. The shoulders will look too straight while the butt is tucked under. The neck will look "ewed" with under-side muscles developed.
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After trimming, conformation changes!
After trimming, the horse is much more relaxed and can stand with its legs perpendicular to the ground. Ideally, massage therapy should be used to help the muscles recover.
This is my case study used in Dr. Strasser's new book "Navicular No More"! I have LOTS more before and after pictures like this! |
About Balanced Conformation & Head-low position...
This is an illustration I did to show people the balanced skeleton of the horse in the most natural position: with the head low and legs perpendicular to the ground. This posture is so important! Horses should be eating and drinking from ground-level because that is the most natural posture for the teeth alignment and for the soft tissues of the throat to be able to swallow and breath properly. It is also important when riding the horse so that breathing and bone alignment can best cope with the rider's weight. As you see, the coffin bone (P3) is nearly ground parallel (positive palmar angle of 3 to 5 degrees), and the joints of the limbs are in harmonic alignment. This combined with the ligaments which run forward from the withers and the ligaments which run back over the spine carry the horse much like a suspension bridge. This is all part of the "stay apparatus" which allows the horse to sleep standing up with little to no muscle tension as the extensor and flexor systems are in balance.
For a pretty cool art video of the ligaments of the lower limb, click here.
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Trimmed half of cadaver foot with bones labeled. Compare to other side of this cadaver foot to see untrimmed.
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Other side of the same cadaver foot above. This side is untrimmed and you can see the heel, having grown only about an inch and a half, is now directly under the navicular bone and the coffin bone is tipped forward. You can also see that the coffin bone is tightly up against the dorsal hoof wall and in this position, would tend to shear the attachment and not allow blood to flow properly through the openings in the coffin bone to the dorsal laminar corium. The bone alignment in this high-heeled foot would cause the extensor system of muscles to work harder to keep the horse balanced on his toes.
Arrows show how the point of impact in the heel would affect the navicular area. Also, the angle of the heel, due to it being long, pushes the hoof capsule forward causing: eventual heel collapse (under-run heels); quarter cracks; reduced circulation and coffin bone damage. |
Overgrown hoof experiencing damage
 Before my first trim  My Healthy Foot Trim Parameters
This is a recent trim that shows a 30 degree hairline and a 50 degree toe. I believe this is a healthier toe angle with the coffin bone just slightly less than ground parallel.
Healthy foot of a mare I have trimmed regularly for several years.
Healthy Front Feet
Above Draft Cross after trim
Above Healthy TB after trimContracted Hoof with the "Butt Crack" aka "Kissing Cartilages"
This hoof has extreme contraction with unilateral contraction beyond the vertical. The hoof should be shaped like a bell. This one is more like an ice cream cone.
It shows that the palmar processes and lateral cartilages have been deformed. Making an effort to widen this hoof on a mature horse invites fracturing the palmar process. But if this were a foal, it would need to be pastured on hard ground with lots of movement. Bulb of Front foot should contact the ground
This is my mare's left front foot. As you can see, she is weight-bearing on the bulb; the foot has a bell-shape and the lateral cartilages have good distance between them. Compare this to the horse above with the "butt crack".
Shoes can damage the feet
80 to 90% of shock is absorbed at the point of impact. How much shock do you think a steel shoe absorbs? NONE! In fact, the shoe INCREASES the effect of shock. Shock and vibration damages the capillaries (capillary walls are only one cell thick), not only in the foot, but can cause breakage of vessels in the nose causing nose bleeds! Not only are the blood vessels damaged, but the bones, ligaments, tendons, nerves, heart, liver and kidneys are damaged with shoes.
The hoof is always growing. But the shoe doesn't grow. As the hoof grows, the shoe restricts growth and causes the hoof to contract. Removable hoof boots are more like the shoes we wear. Nailed-on metal shoes, especially with clips, inflict irrepairable damage to the internal parts of the hoof. There is just no excuse for humans to inflict this type of damage on an animal.... and yet people do it every day without thinking that there could be an alternative. Sadly, even vets, who you would think want the horse to be healthy, often recommend shoes. The horse industry is built around a shod horse. Even farriers and vets will admit that shoes are damaging but they still think there are horses that benefit by having them applied. Transitioning and the true function of the hoof is not understood by most conventional professionals, which makes owners less likely to try taking their horse barefoot if it's against their professional's recommendations. Also, there is a shortage of trained hoofcare professionals. Vets and farriers feel very threatened by owners who have learned about healthy hoof function. Even young horses can have serious problems after a few years in shoes!
This 4 yr. old has contraction, coffin bone rotation and separation issues as well as a serious vertical INWARD toe crack in the hoof capsule that goes from the coronary band to the toe. The flattened surface of the front of the hoof wall indicates pressure on the front surface of the coffin bone which, by having been pushed forward and tipped up against the front wall, has seriously damaged the laminar corium and horn. Rings indicate inflammation from shock of impact as well as trauma from the coffin bone being tipped downward. One other thing about young hooves is that the coffin bone's palmar processes are not fully formed and can be seriously deformed when shod before the age of 5. Even if the horse was trimmed properly all it's life and had not been shod, shoes would still do some damage for the length of time they were on. When shoes are left on longer than 4 -6 weeks, damage can be exacerbated as the foot continues to grow but the shoe does not. This is the kind of foot I like to see x-rays on before trimming. (Please see the x-ray of a 6 year old on my Founder page .) The worst kind of damage is done by "orthopedic" shoeing which strangles the circulation even more.
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This hoof is often what I see when a horse has gone a long time without trimming (or improperly trimmed). And this horse was only 3 years old!!
I have outlined the bar the bar in red and the coffin bone, navicular and short pastern bones in yellow. The coffin bone is tipped up and this shears the attachment as well as pushes it against the toe wall reducing circulation and building up pressure within the vessels of the coffin bone and navicular bone. Continued pressure in these blood vessels will cause bone erosion. Also the tip of the coffin bone will become "ski-tipped" when viewed on X-ray. A horse that stays in this position for a long time is prone to founder. There is the possibility that the extensor process can be fractured due to the force put upon it by the short pastern. Note the angle of the coffin joint. This puts extra wear and tear on the cartilage in the joints from improper alignment. A small amount of slack is put in the flexor tendon which is taken up by the flexor muscles in the shoulder. These muscles are continuously flexed, keeping the shoulders hunched and the butt tucked. The long toes pull on the attachment and contribute to the coffin bone's laminar horn damage by stretching. The quarter cracks, flared toe and hairline dragging down show that this hoof has high bars, heels and poor coffin bone suspension. My Trim parameters for a healthy front foot
1. Angles: 50 to 55 degree toe angle. 2. Heels: heel height of 1 1/4 (with full bulbs) 3. concavity of between 3/8 to 5/8" 4. Bars: bar height of 5/8 to 3/4" trimmed to sole level at their ends 2/3s down to the tip of the frog. 5. Sole: only the caulky sole is trimmed (when the hoof has been soaked, this caulky sole will flake off with a hoof pick!) Healthy feet almost never need sole trimming 6. Hairline: close to 30 degrees (coffin bone only slightly less than ground parallel by just a few degrees) 7. I roll the toe wall (breakover). Bowker says that the ideal breakover is 1/2 inch in front of the coffin bone. I will angle the wall at whatever direction is needed to achieve my goals, but it depends on the horse, the use, and the owner. Each horse varies individually. If I need to trim for rehabilitation, I will use whatever trim technique works effectively. I am trained and experienced to do rehabilitation trimming. 
Unhealthy foundered foot with rotated and dropped coffin bone. Compare with radiograph on left of healthy foot.
Contracted Front Foot
This photo exemplifies the damage caused by a lifetime of shoes. It causes damage similar to frostbitten fingers. Even though the shoes were removed and this horse was turned out to retirement, the damage done from years and years of shoeing caused severe CONTRACTION. Contraction is the number one reason for most lameness diseases. In a horse with feet this bad, a trim designed to restore proper circulation will ultimately release toxins from dead tissue into the horse's bloodstream. The kidneys and liver have to process these toxins and the heart has to work extra hard as the painful rehabilitation returns the foot to a healthy state. I do not recommend corrective trimming of a horse this old (25+) with this severe degree of pathology. It could kill him. Even a younger horse with pathology this bad, the risks of rehabilitation must be considered. This is not a quick fix! It takes about 9 months to a year to grow a new hoof capsule and reversing contraction is often impossible. If there is significant bone damage, it could be severely necrotic (dead). There may not be enough healthy bone and corium to grow in enough of a healthy attachment sufficient for performance. If there are laminitis triggers which are not controllable, it is impossible to maintain steady progress in rehabilitation through trimming alone. If you chose a trim "style" which does not allow the hoof to function and allow healing, you might keep the horse "usable" for a few more years. The decision to return healthy function to the foot should not be made lightly. Consider the age of the horse, when he was first shod, what his lifestyle has been, how often he was reshod, the amount of time and effort YOU are willing to put into rehab...all of these factors are very important to consider before you make the decision to transition your horse. Some horses have an easy transition, some do not. There is no real way to know but all factors must be considered. 
Close up showing depth of necrosis deep on either side of the central sulcus in a very contracted foot. The black skin below the hair (red arrow points to) is necrotic skin, not a black spot on a white foot. It probably involves most of the central spine of the frog, which has deformed upwards due to contraction of the heels. The frog shows multiple abscess exits as this foot has been in rehabilitation for 5 months.
But below, you can see the frog from the ends of the bars to it's tip has managed to get some good blood circulation and has improved healthier tissue. (photo of same foot as above) 
Years of Shoeing or Lack of proper Hoof Care may cause Joint Adaptation
12 year old mare probably shod from an early age with joint adaptation. Contraction, heel shears and probably a shoer trying to fix toeing out at an early age or just a case of right-handedness. Or, as I was told by one farrier, a purposeful effort to make the horse look "bull doggy"! It is natural for young horses (foals up to 3) to toe out slightly. If this is "fixed" at an early age, the horse can become more pigeon-toed by the time it's an adult. (a very slight amount of pigeon-toed-ness is normal)
Any imbalances in the hoof can become worse over time. 
Best use of horse shoes I've ever seen!
This is a sculpture in downtown Port Angeles, WA. where I stayed during my Hoofcare course. The city had sculpture and art all around the city and this one was a perfect use of horse shoes!
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