The balance of the horses foot

Summary

# Editorial Summary: The Balance of the Horse's Foot Inadequate heel support from poorly fitted shoes represents a widespread yet preventable source of lameness in practice, prompting Ware's examination of how farriery technique directly influences hoof biomechanics and soundness. Through detailed analysis of hoof geometry and shoe fitting protocols, the research established that long toe–low heel syndrome—predominantly caused by shoes applied too short at the heels—emerges as the most common farriery-related cause of lameness, with optimal hoof proportions characterised by the widest point of the foot equalling the distance from toe to the furthermost heel bearing point. Extended heel shoes with reverse taper demonstrably outperform heel wedges for addressing collapsed heels, providing superior weight distribution and structural support whilst maintaining natural hoof proportions. Practitioners should prioritise fitting shoes that extend to at least the bulb of the heel, utilise flat shoes with broad heel coverage rather than wedges, and carefully manage inturned horn growth to restore proper tubule direction—conversely avoiding three-quarter shoes and single studs that concentrate pressure unevenly and compromise joint alignment. This work underscores that meticulous attention to heel support during shoeing is fundamental to lameness prevention and represents a critical area for quality control across farriery practice.

Key Findings

• •Long toe low heel syndrome is the most common farriery-related cause of lameness, resulting from shoes fitted too short at the heels
• •Ideal hoof proportions require the distance across the widest part to equal the distance from toe to furthermost heel bearing point
• •Extended heel shoes with reverse taper provide superior support compared to heel wedges for treating collapsed heels
• •Proper shoe placement extending to at least the bulbs of the heels maintains correct weight distribution and prevents lameness

Conditions Studied

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