Back in the 1800s, the world really could have used a better hoof on a better horse. History tells us that breeders tried to comply, by including soundness as a criterion for reproduction. Veterinary medicine complied with treatments and prevention regimens for communicable equine diseases. Technology complied with standardized machine-made horseshoes and nails. Society complied with a new awareness of and concern for the plight of overworked, abused horses. But the horse itself, even in its great heyday and height of population in Western civilization, still stood on hooves poorly designed to accomplish the tasks demanded of them.






step_by_step1298.jpg (19082 bytes)
HOOFCARE & LAMENESS


Robert Bowker, VMD, makes a point to veterinarian student Kimberly VanWulten.


Even then, in a few scientific forges, research into the hoof and its structures was conducted. Researchers were determined to improve the way that hooves were shod, trimmed, and cared for, in the belief that they could improve the durability of hooves

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.

TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.

Start your free account today!

Already have an account?
and continue reading.