Feet


I make no apology for spending quite some time on feet. Foot problems can contribute considerably to back symptoms, but it is not always easy to spot them. This page contains a number of examples of foot balance problems ranging from the relatively minor, and difficult to detect, to the outrageous! All will cause some stress to the associated musculo-skeletal apparatus of the leg and limb girdle, and eventually symptoms arising in the back.
		Medio-lateral imbalance in this foot has resulted in the outside part of the hoof landing before the inside part. The stresses so created have caused the distortions of the hoof capsule. Outside hoof wall splayed Inside hoof wall upright

	Hang the leg from the knee, sight down the cannon and you can see if the foot is balanced side to side (medio-lateral balance). This one isn't....		…which might explain his stance
There is more hoof visible laterally (on the outside) than medially. This foot has probably been shod "outside high" resulting in excessive force to the lateral part of the hoof and subsequent splaying.
		This is another horse standing differently on his front feet.


The farrier has used a T square to show obvious medio-lateral imbalance of the left fore……		…which can be resolved with correct foot trimming.

	The medio-lateral imbalance of this foot is clear to the naked eye. Leaving a foot like this will not only cause musculo-skeletal problems in the shoulder and back, but can cause long term damage to the foot and heel
	As a result of the medio-lateral imbalance the right heel is being pushed up and out by the extra stress on the outside of the hoof. The enlarged right heel makes the shoe look as if it has been put on crooked, but if you look carefully you can see the frog is central.
	The foot correctly shod - quite a difference!
	Medio-lateral imbalance will ultimately shear the heels leaving a foot that may take years to recover This is an extreme example!
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