The term “corrective shoeing” is often overused and misunderstood. It sometimes implies that the farrier can correct conformational faults of feet and legs. In reality, often very little can be done to change the way a horse is built. Trying to fix
Researchers from the United Kingdom recently embarked on an 18-month exercise study to determine why the equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) is more prone to injury than the various other tendons located in the distal (lower) part of
Learn how your horse’s anatomy works with our complete anatomy and physiology guide, including basic terminology, skin, forelimbs, hindlimbs, feet/hooves, head and neck, tendons/ligaments, muscles, digestive, cardiovascular and reproductive systems.
My 4-year-old Quarter Horse gelding does not like to bend his knees and hocks. He feels like he’s walking on stilts.
Want to know how your horse’s body works? Find out in The Horse’s 12-part Anatomy and Physiology series.
Good hoof hygiene and recognizing early signs of the disease are essential to controlling the problem.
My sister’s gelding has sesamoid problems on both forelimbs. Can the sesamoid bones be removed?
An owner looks for help for a filly that wears down her feet unevenly with turned-out toes.
Can coffin bone rotation be improved or corrected in horses that have foundered?
The horse is an amazing athlete, with great speed and endurance considering his body size and weight. For the past 20 years, researchers have evaluated what makes the equine locomotive system so efficient for racing and other strenuous
The monitoring committee for the Sales Integrity Program is taking action to address some consignors’ concerns about how the Thoroughbred auction industry will handle the disclosure of invasive joint surgeries and other procedures designed to
It is widely believed that exercise and limb-loading in foals help joint cartilage functionally adapt to the rigors of athletic activity. In 2005, Dutch researchers set out to find out if they could verify the concept of functional adaptation of
Like keeping the pistons of an engine lubricated for smooth, easy movement, the tendon sheaths of a horse function similarly by providing a friction-free environment in which tendons can move.
Since bubble wrapping a horse isn’t an option, owners use boots and wraps to try to avoid lower limb injuries.
There is an adage that is as old as the modern-day horse. It goes something like this: No foot, no horse. My late father, who could pick out a minute leg or foot unsoundness at a glance, used to lecture his young son about the importance of good
The mechanical engineering involved in the structuring of equine joints is both complex and masterful. Not only do healthy joints allow the horse to move freely, but they also help to effectively absorb concussion, especially when the horse is
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