Hoof Mechanics does not accept responsibility for
any application or misapplications of the information presented in this website. We presume the horse
owner will get the opinions and services of
qualified hoofcare providers.
©
2009-2011 Hoof Mechanics
- All rights reserved
Taking the Guesswork Out of Your Trim !
Featured products
Hoof Mechanics does not accept responsibility for
any application or misapplications of the information presented in this website. We presume the horse
owner will get the opinions and services of
qualified hoofcare providers.
©
2009-2011 Hoof Mechanics
- All rights reserved
Helping you - help your horse by
Clogs
The theory behind placing a horse in an
apparatus like this is to release tension on
the DDFT (deep digital flexor tendon) so the
hoof will de-rotate after it's course of
treatment.
Some vets will take this a step further whereby
the superficial tendon is cut and reattaches to
the DDFT to assure any possiiblity that it would contract causing additional problems with
rotation. This is called a tenotomy.
Admittedly I am not a world class veterinarian or
farrier who has researched or applied this theory
for years. And I must accept there must be horses who have recovered using this technique.
I also admire and respect these individuals for their hearts desire to help the horses they are
treating.
When I look at the x-ray along with the photo of
a horse's hoof wearing this clog there are several
problems I see with this kind of application.
Drawing a vertical line down the center of the hoof we can see the angle of the coffin bone points pretty severely toward the ground and has not found what is called a ground parallel position. A horse standing on the tip of it's coffin bone will eventually damage the bone. This damage will
affect the quality of new hoof growth and healing.
Joint articulation of the boney column above is tilted in abnormal positions causing damage to the
joint and discomfort to the horse.
You will find proof in the Thermography section illustrating the lack of circulation caused by placing
a shoe on a horse. Additionally the Swedish Hoof School has video illustrations proving increased concussion on impact of a hoof wearing a shoe in comparison to being barefoot. See this in the Videos from Youtube link.
Clogs vs Barefoot
This is the same xray from above with
computer generated corrections to
mimick what we would do with a
corrective barefoot trim.
You see the heel was lowered to
help de-rotate the angle of the coffin
bone. This will remove the possibility
of additional damage and dimineralization
at the tip from what is called toe walking.
It also assists with ensuring circulation
is not cut off to the vital blood supply
to the hoof by the circumflex artery.