Student Workbook
H1.4 Hoof Parts
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H1.4HoofParts
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H1.4HoofParts
Contents
Introduction
Pg. 4
Points of the Hoof
Pg. 5 – 7
Horseshoes
Pg. 8
Picking out Hooves
Pg. 9
Natural Hoof Care
Pg. 10
Extension Lesson
Pg. 11 & 12
Recommended Reading
Pg. 13
References
Pg. 14
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H1.4HoofParts
Hoof Parts Introduction
No matter what breed or colour your horse is the hoof structure is the same. Some horses
will have poorer hoof conformation (the general shape and arrangement of parts) whilst
others will have good, strong hooves.
The outside structure is hard and continually grows, because the hoof is always growing it is
important to get them trimmed every 6 – 8 weeks to keep them healthy and in good order.
The inside structure contains soft tissue and bone. The hoof is elastic and flexible to allow
them to expand upon ground contact.
Front hooves are shaped differently to the hind hooves, the front will be more circular and
round whilst the hind more angular.
Front hoof
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Hind hoof
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H1.4HoofParts
Points of the Hoof
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Points of the Hoof (cont.)
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H1.4HoofParts
Points of the Hoof (cont.)
Hoof wall:The hoof wall grows downwards from the coronet band they cover the internal structure and
act as a protective layer. Tough and elastic it acts as a concussion and grips to terrain
surfaces. Hoof walls can be pigmented. White hooves are said to be softer than darker
hooves. The hoof wall is insensitive. This is clearly demonstrated in shod horses (horses
with shores shoes) as the nails are driven into the hoof wall to hold the shoe on.
White
Mixed
Black
Coronet band:This is where the hoof horn (wall) grows from. Any skin colour pigment at the coronet will
generate the colour of the hoof horn i.e. pink skin at the coronet will mean white hoof growth,
dark skin pigment results in drak hoof growth.
White line:It is soft and fibrous in structure and holds the hoof wall and the sole together. This line is
more sensitive than the hoof wall. Ifa nail is driven into the hoof wall at an incorrect angle it
will cause discomfort to the horse should it come into contact with the white line.
Sole:The sole can vary in colour,it covers the underneath surface of the hoof from the wall to the
frog and bars.
Frog:It is triangluar in shape with the apex extending across the sole. The frog has a rubbery
consistency and assists in circulation by pumping the blood back up the leg. It is also
suggested that it acts as a shock absorber and a grip on surfaces.
Bars:Originate at the heels and fold inwards from the walls and bear weight along with the sole
and wall.
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H1.4HoofParts
Horseshoes
Horseshoes are used to protect the hoof from wear and tear. Farriers or Blacksmiths attach
the shoes using nails which are driven through the hoof wall, which is insensitive so it
causes the horse no pain. Horseshoes can come in various different styles and can be made
out of various materials depending upon what the horse is being used for and what the
horse’s hoof requires will decide what shoe is used.
Materials that shoe may be made of include aluminium, steel, alloy, plastic and rubber.
Aluminium shoes are lighter therefore suited to sports which require speed or finesse such
as racing or dressage. Steel is heavier but lasts longer which is suited to horses which
participate in polo, eventing or show jumping.
The term ‘reshod’ means that a horse will have its shoes removed so that the hooves can be
trimmed then the shoes will be reshaped or replaced and put back on again. Horses that are
shod (wear horseshoes) should be re-shod every 4 – 6 weeks. Signs that a horse may need
to be re-shod may include risen clenches, missing nails, bent or broken shoes or when the
hoof has outgrown the shoe i.e. the hoof has become too big for the shoe.
This hoof is outgrowing the shoe because
the toe has started to curve out along the
ground.
The red line in this image illustrate the four
clenches (nails holding the shoe on which
have been bent over) in the hoof.
Because the shapes of front and hind hooves are different, horseshoes also come as front or
hind shoes.
Front shoe
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Hind shoe
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H1.4HoofParts
Picking out Hooves
Regularly cleaning the horses feet is important as often stones or small sticks will become
wedged in them, particularly if the horse is wearing shoes. Its also important as cleaning the
hooves will allow you to check for any injury or conditions in this area.
In the event of a horse that is difficult to handle when picking up its legs, you can have a
second person hold the horse so that it is flexed (slightly looking) towards the difficult leg or
push the shoulder/hip away from you so that you shifted the horse slightly off balance.
Front legs:When picking a front hoof stand beside the horses’ shoulder, facing the hindquarters. Pat the
shoulder and run your hand down the back of the horses’ leg. As you reach the fetlock slide
your hand to the inside of the leg and apply a gentle but firm pressure to the back of the
fetlock in an upwards, pulling motion. Alternatively you can gently squeeze the tendons at
the back of the leg. Whist doing this use your shoulder to help push the horses’ weight off
the leg.
Once the hoof is off the ground support it with your and by holding around the
pastern/coronet region of the leg. With the hoof pick in your other hand, clean the hoof
starting at the heel and picking away from you to the toe. Then place the hoof gently onto the
ground, do not merely drop the hoof when you’re finished.
Back legs:The procedure is the same for hind legs but once the hoof is off the ground it is necessary to
bring the hoof/leg back a little behind the horse so you can see what you are doing. Be
careful not to bring the leg so far back that it the horse has trouble keeping its balance.
Because the hind legs are much heavier than the front (and many horses will tend to lean on
you when a hind leg is picked up.) it may be easier to rest the cannon bone on your knee,
still supporting the hoof with a hand, whilst you pick out the hoof.
When finished bring the leg back under the horses’ body and place the hoof gently on the
ground.
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H1.4HoofParts
Natural Hoof Care
Natural hoof care is the care and trimming of hooves without the use of shoes (barefoot).
Natural hoof care is a method which is designed specifically for barefoot horses and involves
a daily care system so that the horse can remain unshod for the entirety of its working life.
The most prominent leading names in the development of this system are Jaime Jackson
(former farrier in America) and Dr. Hiltrud Strasser (German veterinarian).
This method of hoof care uses special trimming techniques as well as modified living
conditions for the horse to promote and develop better hoof health. Horses require living
conditions which are as close to those that they would experience if they were
undomesticated, such as:-
24hr freedom of movement every day
herd environment
no horse shoes at all, under any circumstances
grazing or hay available 24hrs a day from ground level
No blankets, leg wraps, bell boots etc though boots for soaking or riding are allowed
Living conditions which expose the horse to the elements and terrains they would
experience in the wild:- mud, water, pasture, gravel/rocks.
Hooves exposed to water daily
No bedding in living environment
Natural amount of exercise (10miles per day)
Regular trimming
The trimming aspect of natural hoof care concentrates on the physiologically correct hoof
form along with natural integrity.
Links are available at the end of this workbook should you wish to learn more about Natural
Hoof Care.
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H1.4HoofParts
Extension Lesson
Label the following parts of the hoof:-
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H1.4HoofParts
Extension Lesson (cont.)
Label the following parts of the hoof:-
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H1.4HoofParts
Recommended Reading
Webpages:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_Shoes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_hoof
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H1.4HoofParts
References
Webpages:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_Shoes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_hoof
http://www.thehorseshoof.com/
http://www.strasserhoofcare.org
Images:Page 4
www.thehorseshoof.com/helphealth.html
Page 7
lifeinthegreatmidwest.blogspot.com/2007_03_01...
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www.shoe-a-ranch.com/faqs.html
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www.photographersdirect.com/buyers/stockphoto...
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www.supplierlist.com/.../kakayu/p-0/showroom.htm
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