Post by intouch on Jul 24, 2008 21:59:29 GMT
Just back from EPAUK clinic with Prof Bob Bowker, lecturer & researcher into the workings of the horse's hoof. Not many people use up their summer hols on such esoteric outings!
Overload of information, but the main thing to come out of it for me is how important the development of the lateral cartileges and digital cushion is for the horse's soundness and longevity. If the horse is properly trimmed so that the frog, sole and bars are stimulated by pressure, the LCs & DCs become elastic and the blood supply well enough developed to support the horse.
If shoes are applied, or if the walls are allowed to become too long (periferal loading) then the stimulation diminishes and the LCs & CDs deteriorate, so there is not enough support for the internal structures of the foot. In some NS cases the DC is 0.2inches thick. Barefoot horses can develop NS if kept constantly on a non-yielding surface like concrete.
Thought you might like to know that!
Lesley
Overload of information, but the main thing to come out of it for me is how important the development of the lateral cartileges and digital cushion is for the horse's soundness and longevity. If the horse is properly trimmed so that the frog, sole and bars are stimulated by pressure, the LCs & DCs become elastic and the blood supply well enough developed to support the horse.
If shoes are applied, or if the walls are allowed to become too long (periferal loading) then the stimulation diminishes and the LCs & CDs deteriorate, so there is not enough support for the internal structures of the foot. In some NS cases the DC is 0.2inches thick. Barefoot horses can develop NS if kept constantly on a non-yielding surface like concrete.
Thought you might like to know that!
Lesley
Was this on in Dublin?