Learn about the hoof and its parts
Click on each labeled part of the hoof below to be taken to a brief description of my goals and standards.
Parts of the Hoof
- Using proper biomechanics, should land first
- Should not be left long
- Goal to maintain on its own
- Should carry a share of the weight load
- NEVER be gouged out (removed)
·
- The best guide of coffin bone position
- Best gauge of how
much toe and heel need to be trimmed
·
Depth of concavity
- Also known as the Frog/Sole Juncture
Central Groove
(CG)
- Remember to keep it clean (may harvest bacteria)
- On callused frogs the groove will fill in
- The frog is not a blood pump
- Expansion and contraction of the whole hoof is the pump
- Shock absorber
- Should not be pared down every trim
- Callused frogs need little attention
- Critical read for sole callous
- Most forward of frog
- Between the heels and the toe
- Should be above ground level
- Need to be same
thickness as all other wall (before mustang roll)
- Should have a slick shiny look
- Needs a heavy callous
- When trimmed, proper concavity will appear
- NEVER remove sole callous
- Break-over point
- Don’t remove sole callous when working on the toe
- In most domestic horses, this is disconnected
- To protect the inner structure
- Watch for flares
- When finished
need to have a mustang roll