How To Recognize Unhealthy Or Healthy Heels In A Horse Hoof For Soundness

It's more simple than you may think at first glance to recognize the obvious (if you know what to look for..). Does that make sense? Essentially, poor heels in a horse hoof can be very clear if you look for two important signs. This video shows EXACTLY that. If you're interested in learning more about hooves and trimming, check out this online course: myhorsecoach.com/courses/hors...
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[@alicewalters7056]

Good advice for anyone caring for hooves. So necessary to keep them healthy. You give good instructions and demos. A vid on this would be helpful to horse keepers. Love.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you Alice! I appreciate that, and yes, we definitely have to keep the feet healthy. I'll do more soon for sure

[@j.everheart267]

The before and afters on Gracie are amazing! Well done!!

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thank you!

[@fly4uron]

Hi Graeme Thank you so very very much for the learning opportunity

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thanks Ron! You're very welcome

[@christinafragis7224]

Thanks for sharing- can never know too much about healthy hooves. I hope you make some more videos.

[@StableHorseTraining]

You're welcome, yes, more coming soon :)

[@susancroft3734]

Thanks so much Graeme ! I am learning to become a better farrier for Dreamer since my guy cannot visit Anguilla due to Covid and the island borders are still closed. So, every little bit of solid info helps . Much appreciated.

[@StableHorseTraining]

You're very welcome

[@Trapezius8oblique]

Helpful thanks. Having this problem right now. Still searching for a good farrier that should understand this.

[@patriciagriffiths398]

Very interesting Graeme. I suppose the saying no foot no horse is true. Yes I can see the circles around the hoof which lets you know the hoof is not right. I remember someone saying some horses have had the foot fired. Meaning they have taken the nerve out so the horse feels no pain but is very damaging to the horses foot. Im probably not explaining it properly but perhaps you might have heard of this. Or maybe called firing. I'm pleased Gracie's hooves are getting better due to your caring. Ok Graeme thanking you for explaining. Stay safe.

[@StableHorseTraining]

It is very true. Yes, without the ability to walk, horses have a hard time getting around! Nerve damage to the body of a horse isn't kind I think. Maybe it seems to be required.. I don't know, but I think the bigger problem is how they got there.

[@gailann226]

⭐️🌟Stable Horse Training 🌟⭐️~ Thank you for continuing to share your expertise in hoof anatomy. I am always intrigued with ‘ALL’ information regarding the equine hoof / hooves. You do an excellent job in your discussions, explaining the desired soundness for a healthy hoof.💫🌟⭐️

[@StableHorseTraining]

You're welcome, and thanks for the compliments! I hope to get more out soon and hopefully too to be better at explaining things

[@dennisch5392]

Hi, great video love learning about the Hooves of a horse very interesting 👍 thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@StableHorseTraining]

You are so welcome

[@Anna-rv3fv]

I have a horse with the same exact growth ring patterns :-( thank you so much for sharing!!! You’re beyond helpful

[@StableHorseTraining]

You're very welcome

[@octoberjubilee9866]

Very informative, thanks.

[@StableHorseTraining]

You're welcome!

[@scratchgolfer12]

Great demo

[@StableHorseTraining]

Thanks Brenda :)

[@BronkingPonies]

Great video, thanks! Just wondering what causes the lines on the hoof wall?

[@StableHorseTraining]

Usually poor trimming schedule. This is something I'll cover in more detail in a future video

[@missys]

As always good information! I think we always knew Gracie was a little wonky.....her heels were just a clue. Hehee. JK 😜. She lovely and one of favorites....shhhh....don't tell the others. I always love learning more about anatomy and structures of the horse. I think it's important to know. It makes you think a little bit harder as a rider and more aware of your horse. Thanks Graeme!

[@StableHorseTraining]

haha.. she'd be wonky without those wonky feet!

[@martineinfrance]

Thank you very much Graeme for these technical explanations👍. This hoof is really a good example for the heel and its shape too. Yes, some ferriers do what is easier for them to do, saving time on trimming sessions, rather than considering what is best for the horse's health. You did a great job on Gracie's hooves. I just noticed that her front left hoof is darker than the right one. ***: - What about foals ? Is this noticeable at birth ? Can the trimming start at an early age to correct the evolution or does the anatomy of the hoof change during the baby's growth to adult ? - Does a horse with either a club foot or a low heel, feel pain when he moves, if not trimmed properly ? These points are so important to consider before buying a horse, in the general check up. - Last : can a horse with bare feet walk, trot and gallop on any ground ? Because I was taught to never gallop on the asphalt with horses shoed, nor on humid dead leaves for slippery reasons. A horse fell in front of mine once, due to the muddy soil. Talking about shoes, can they now exist in another resistant and lighter material than metal more appropriate to any type of support ? Sorry for the length... Thank you😊

[@StableHorseTraining]

As mentioned on Patreon, I'll get a video out soon! Great questions!

[@martineinfrance]

@@StableHorseTraining thank you Graeme 👍

[@pennywebb867]

Great questions, as always.

[@martineinfrance]

@@pennywebb867 thank you Penny 😁 Graeme is so knowledgeable about this and many other subjects.

[@crystalpowell3994]

Hi how are you I was wondering I just got a horse and she’s stiff in the hind quarters she used to wear shoes but I think her hoods are too short. Not sure if I should ride her and I know limping or anything like that

[@StableHorseTraining]

Hi, I'm good thanks. As I'm not there, I really can't say a thing about your horse as I don't even know if you can recognize if a horse is stiff. Could be something, could be nothing. Without seeing it, I can't help you. Perhaps call a vet instead of using strangers on the internet?

[@emilyschwenneker975]

So if my horse's heels were like that and the hoof was in need of trimming, how would I trim the hooves, so the heels would start to get corrected? Also thanks for the super helpful video!

[@StableHorseTraining]

You're welcome :) The idea is to reset the back part of the hoof while controlling the angle of the whole thing with some property maintenance on the hoof walls on the sides and front. Likely this horse has some issues in the frog and underlying structure, so it's important to be careful with that. I'm a bit resistant to give a lot of hoof trimming advice as every foot is different and it's impossible to say exactly what to do. Bottom line is that the heels need to be stood back up and not long and under the horse. Here's another video where I talk about these ideas: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXjXlJSknKiSbrM

[@emilyschwenneker975]

@@StableHorseTraining okay, thanks for the advice!

[@StableHorseTraining]

We have an online course available too for hoof trimming 101 with over 4 hours of material to learn from! myhorsecoach.com/courses/horse-hoof-trimming-101/ Where you can learn how to start trimming hooves and learning all about hoof health and good practices for trimming!

[@valsptsd814]

So- after this, and having watched Gracie’s progress through repair, and training... How much was her feet part of her behavior “problems”? Sore feet, herd would push her out, so she has to show she is still strong? ✌️

[@StableHorseTraining]

hard to say.. I would think though that pain in the body definitely affects mental and emotional health. If she did feel pain in her feet and compensated with her body, then it could definitely be a contributing factor.

[@pennywebb867]

How often would you trim a horse whose heels you are trying to lower? Since it can take years, does the time between trims change? Are there surfaces and gaits that are best avoided (if possible) with a high heeled horse?As always, TFS. ❤❤

[@StableHorseTraining]

Great questions Penny! I would trim between 2 and 3 weeks usually. I can't think of any gaits or surfaces I would avoid for lowering heels

[@StableHorseTraining]

The time between trims can change if there are cracks or demorations that start to resolve. In the beginning you might trim weekly but go longer as it resolves. Rarely do I go beyond 3 weeks and when I do I usually have to claw back some progress...

[@pennywebb867]

@@StableHorseTraining good to know. Thanks for the reply.

[@martineinfrance]

Thank you Penny and Graeme 👍

[@tinachippas7075]

Don't have a horse. Never have had or will have one. Yet I find this tutorial so interesting and informative..

[@kathleent.6064]

I’m sorry and I may be misunderstanding what you said but you said The lines on the hoof should be parallel And not curving down at the heel but then it seemed like you were saying they should be perpendicular at the heel and not parallel. Could I trouble you to clarify what you meant there? I am dealing with a horse with one very low heel in the front.

[@StableHorseTraining]

Absolutely no problem. I have a new video coming out soon talking exactly about this subject too, when that is done I'll link it here. The lines going parallel to the coronet band, should be parallel to the coronet band. They curve down because the coronet band is curling in behind the hoof instead of staying upwards. The tubules should be perpendicular the force applied upon stepping, which generally is at an angle to the ground (not straight up and down) and they should stay parallel with each other at that angle, but the heel in this one becomes more perpendicular to the ground. Does that make sense?

[@lochambers]

What about leaving a club footed horse barefoot? The heel grows very fast and he has very little toe

[@StableHorseTraining]

I think it's a fantastic idea to leave a horse barefoot. The heel and toe are growing at the exact same pace, the horse simply wearing out the toe faster. Help it keep up slowly over time and I expect it will come together a bit better.

[@honkymonkey9568]

so how do you fix it

[@StableHorseTraining]

Proper trimming. It's a whole topic and difficult to explain in a KZbin comment. It involves trimming the foot to have the toe able to come back while the heels form up the proper angle to grow correct length to angle. This one has long heels with an incorrect angle.