Understanding the Difference: The Three Types of Hoof Landings

In an effort to help combat some bad information "out there," including KZbin videos with improperly-labeled and described landings, I've created this video with clear, slow-motion examples of the three ways a horse's hoof can contact the ground.

[@cooki1977n]

Hello Steve, if you put the option of speed at 0.25x in parameter, you can clearly see on your "flat landing" heel first landing.... because is functional anatomy. Soft tissus are in the back of the foot. Your second exemple is an heel first landing with excess heel height. In many case, toe first landing is common when impact point arn't in the correct position and palmar structure are deficient. (and with a dorsal migration of the break over). When the horse walk, if you don't have a high speed camera, it's difficult to see the heel first landing... but is here... because is the only way for the horse to have a correct locomotion.

[@blkgryphon]

I think the "flat landing" foot would land even more heel first at a faster pace. Steve is certainly correct that the foot is not meant to have an exaggerated heel-first landing as seen in the example in this video, which is a hoof that is quite distorted. But if the foot is correctly balanced and the horse is moving at a brisk walk or above, a SLIGHTLY heel-first landing allows for optimal alignment of the coffin bone (assuming it is a few degrees positive in the palmar/plantar angle) during the loading phase of the foot.

[@bryanmarek]

You are correct. I agree with what you’re seeing and saying. I also posted my explanation above. 👍

[@FOCHS5]

TY for your time and education posted here.

[@mariapazaristeaguirre4491]

When are you going to post more? super interesting. Landing matters

[@TheWayshower]

perfect, thank you! I'll video my horses and playback at a slower speed to make sure I understand how they're making ground contact ♥

[@MsBizzyGurl]

Make sure you use slow motion as the mode otherwise regular motion slowed allows the algorithm to 'fill in' motion which may not be true.

[@TheWayshower]

@@MsBizzyGurl thanks!

[@lucasa1849]

but whats the conclusion? Wich one is better for the horse? how do you fix it?

[@Galemor1]

Flat landing is the wanted contact, as it gives less stress on the ligaments and joints.

[@bryanmarek]

Extreme heel first contact isn’t correct, however a slight landing of the heel almost even landing is crucial to proper bone alignment to correctly support the baring weight being given. Toe first landing on all accounts is not good and will not provide the correct bone alignment to take the weight loading of the structure. Slight heel first to even contact is ideal. Notice the third horse is actually landing slightly heel first. Just avoid the toe first landing.

[@judymiller5154]

excellent, clear presentation - thanks!do you have resources explaining how to correct a toe first landing?

[@bryanmarek]

@@judymiller5154 Hi Judy. Yes. There are a few different KZbin sources one can go to, to get a good demonstration of what you’re asking. Here is the beginning of a 4 part series that will not only demonstrate the evaluation highlighting a toe first landing, along with suspected navicular syndrome. Also demonstrates and explains one of the methods that establishes getting the horse to land in a more supportive way. Slightly heel first. I encourage you to see all 4 parts to get a solid foundation and understanding. I hope this helps. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f57Jlnd5jp1_ZpY Gene demonstrates

[@judymiller5154]

@@bryanmarek thank you so much!! I have only recently learned that navicular horses can be helped to heal at least somewhat and I'm desperate to learn!! (having fired all the local farriers 😢) I SO appreciate your help. God bless ❤️🙏❤️

[@ElectricImp]

The last landing still looks like the heels land a hair before pillars and toe. Just not as extreme as the first heel landing example. In may have the appearance of a flat landing at normal speed but not in the slowed down replay.

[@bryanmarek]

Good catch. I agree ? Slight heel first landing is crucial for proper bone alignment to bare the weight being applied. 👍

[@Galemor1]

The video starts about 3:00

[@dehoeforthopeed]

Interesting to watch, but what is your conclusion?

[@debrahelms5205]

If you’ll read his narrative above he says to avoid toe first landings that heel first and flat landings are ideal.

[@katmonaghan9341]

I think the landing is also affected by the hoof form. The first hoof (toe first?) looks to have low underrun heels and a long toe ...

[@martywright7789]

Cornell university's been studying this for a long time they've put very expensive cameras on the tracks to watch how these horses are landing and it's inside Hill outside Hill course tow and it almost looks like it's landing flat been doing this for a while seeing all this stuff before

[@thanoszag6563]

Hi, Thank you for your interesting Videos. I have a question, I study 3D Animation and I try to figure out how the horses move their leg, especially if and which of their leg joints can twist left and right. I would really appreciate it if you could enlighten me with this information. Thank you :)

[@Wolfpelt24]

I'm here for animation research too :D

[@thesofieful]

I ride a horse for someone who always have shaky front legs efter training.. or when we're having a pause, comes apparent after Trot and canter, could wrong placement be the reason? He is not lame and he doesn't shy off showing off his beautiful movement when he is free in the in or outdoor hall

[@KathyKinrade1959]

If my horse is landing toe first could that be why she is tripping when she is being lunged?.

[@lsmeela3522]

Yes

[@dancer6971]

Why post if you're not going to answer comments and questions?

[@Diesel-RHEC]

There is some rube on tiktok spreading false info saying extrwme heel first is correct

[@estebanabad1173]

How do you fix that problem

[@N.A.alchemist]

Toe-first and heel-first are incorrect? I was taught that you WANT heel-first?

[@bmc06239]

Not much enlightenment here...

[@audreymckeown8615]

you are definitely not enlightened, you've just shown two lame horses and one heel landing sound horse, you need to go to rockley farm blog and read key blog posts, now rehabilitated over 90 chronicly lame horses