Trimming the Heels

I have seen much harm done by trying to apply specific measurements to hooves that were not ready for or just not designed for those specifics. This applies especially to toe angles, I NEVER include that in my assessment of a hoof. If everything else is balanced as best you can the toe angle is just what it is. It will change if it needs to when it is time to. My recommendation is to lower the heels until there is no more loose crumbly sole in the seat of corn then check to see if you have a 30 degree hairline slope. If you need to take the heels down much more it is best to do this gradually over 2 or 3 trims at least 10 days apart if the additional amount you must remove is more than about 1/8 inch. If the horse is not fully weighting his heels when standing an hour or so after the trim you have probably taken too much at once. This will cause the horse discomfort and encourage the heels to grow faster so you will be right back where you started in a week or two.

Every horse is different so sometimes you will have to use a little trial and error. As Pete Ramey suggests sometimes less is more (LIM), but then sometimes less is just less and it is not enough. The Strasser trimmers seem to want to take it all off right away. It's up to you the trimmer to find the right amount, the soundness of the horse and the foot will tell you. The only way to gain experience is by doing. If you can find a teacher or can afford a few clinics that's very helpful and will speed the learning process. But you still have to trim a lot of feet to really become proficient.

So I suggest that you go for the 30 degree hair line angle and forget all those other measurements. Well actually there is one other very important measurement, the toe length. It should be measured primarily from the bottom of the foot ( 2/3, 1/3 relationship with the frog) and shortened if need be by backing it up from the front. An over long toe can cause the heels to become underslung. (see also the Toes section on the trimming page) The only way to correct underslung heels is to lower them, which will also bring them back. The correct placement for the heel buttress is adjacent to the widest part of the frog. At the same time you will need to remove the underlying cause by backing up the toe.

Do of course use common sense and keep the pictures of the wild horses feet in mind as a GENERAL guide for what the finished hoof should look like.

~Phil ~