| Inspiritus Equine, Inc. Integrated Soundness Solutions (sm) |
| ...Reveal the Equus Within! Dr. Joanna Robson, DVM, CVSMT, CMP, VA, SFT 707-738-7110 |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Photos of the front hoof of an unnamed young patient. There was debate as to whether the hoof is a true club foot, and what the short-term treatment should be, and the long-term outcome. The toe is extremely short and excessively loaded. Note the growth rings on the hoof capsule. Like rings on a tree, the growth rings of the hoof can give you a lot of information about the hoof health and dynamics of the body. In this photo, the rings at the coronary band above the toe are close together, while the rings at the heel are twice as wide. This indicates greater loading at the toe with increased growth and blood supply over the heel. The chipping and cracking of the hoof at the toe again suggest extreme loading at the toe. The heels of the hoof are way too long and need to be trimmed so that the frog (which is healthy) can touch the ground. The long heels are folding towards the toe which causes a small weight-bearing surface for a very large horse. This horse needs immediate hoofcare. Although the heel is not indicative of a true club foot, this may be developing. Radiographs of the foot to determine the angle of the coffin bone are indicated. |
| Joanna Robson, DVM, CVSMT, CMP, VA, SFT 707-738-7110 |
