KEY FOR QUIZ 2:
Equine Foot Care
Topic #3051
Equine Foot Care
By: Nadja Koehler
1. Label the correct parts of the hoof:
sole, hoof wall, heel, frog, cleft, coronet.
CORONET
HEEL
FROG
CLEFT
HOOF WALL
SOLE
2. Provide at least two main functions of the hoof wall.
a.
PROVIDE A WEIGHT-BEARING SURFACE NOT EASILY WORN
AWAY.
b.
PROTECT THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF THE FOOT.
c. (extra credit) MAINTAIN MOISTURE IN THE FOOT.
3. Why is the hoof referred to as the second heart? Briefly explain.
BLOOD IS PUMPED FROM THE HEART TO THE HOOF THROUGH
ARTERIES. EACH TIME THE HOOF BEARS WEIGHT,
COMPRESSION OF THE VEINS IN THE HOOF SENDS BLOOD BACK
TO THE HEART. AS THE HOOF IS RAISED, PRESSURE IS
RELEASED AND THE BLOOD FLOWS BACK INTO THE HOOF
THROUGH GRAVITY AND ARTERIAL PULSE.
4. Most lameness that impairs the usefulness of a horse can be prevented by proper
FOOT CARE
and
MANAGEMENT
.
5. The condition of the
the foot.
6.
FROG
is a good indication of the health of
THRUSH
is caused by bacteria building up on the frog and
surrounding areas of the hoof producing a FOUL ODOR
and causing
the frog to become mushy. This can lead to serious lameness if gone untreated
and may require extensive treatment.
7. Objects such as wire, nails, gravel, and sticks have been know to exist in a horses
foot for as long as a year before coming out near the coronet or heel.
TRUE or False
8. Hooves should be trimmed approximately every
4-6 WEEKS
depending on usage. The goal of trimming is to maintain proper
SHAPE
and
LENGTH
of the foot.
9. Name three causes of foot lameness and give a short description of each.
(Any of the below causes are correct)
STONE IN THE FOOT—STONES LODGE BETWEEN THE SHOE AND
THE FROG DURING USE ON A GRAVEL ROAD.
BRUISED SOLE—DIRECT INJURY OF THE FLAT OF THE HOOF BY
STONES, IRREGULAT GROUND OR INJURY.
CORNS—RESULT FROM BRUISING OF THE SOLE BETWEEN THE
BAR AND HOOF WALL OFTEN FROM POORLY FITTED SHOES OR
NEGLECT TO HAVE HORSE RESHOD REGULARLY.
PRICKED FOOT OR PUNCTURE WOUNDS—RESULT WHEN
FOREIGN OBJECTS (STONES, WIRE, GLASS, ETC.) ENTER THE
SOLE.
HOOF CRACKS—COMMON IN HORSES HOOVES THAT ARE NOT
TRIMMED OR ARE EXCESSIVELY DRY. ALSO CAUSED BY INJURY
TO THE HOOF FORMING TISSUE AT THE CORONARY BAND.
THRUSH—BACTERIAL INFECTION OF THE FROG AND SOLE DUE
TO UNCLEAN CONDITIONS AND POOR HYGIENE PRACTICES.
LAMINITIS OR FOUNDER—INFLAMMATION OF THE LAMINAE
THAT BIND THE HOOF WALL TO THE COFFIN BONE. CAUSES
INCLUDE OVEREATING OF GRAIN, INGESTION OF COLD WATER
BY A HOT HORSE, RETAINED AFTERBIRTH, OVERFAT HORSE,
IDLE HORSE ON LUSH PASTURE.
NAVICULAR DISEASE—CAUSED BY INJURY TO THE NAVICULAR
BONE. VERY COMMON, PARTICLUARLY IN BREEDS WITH
GENETIC DEFECTS IN CONFORMATION SUCH AS UPRIGHT
PASTERNS, STRAIGHT SHOULDERS, AND/OR SMALL FEET WHICH
IMPAIR THE SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISMS OF THE FRONT
LEGS. HEAVY USE ON HARD GROUND WILL ALSO INCREASE
PROBABILITY OF THIS.
10. When cleaning a horses hoof, which of the following is true?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Clean from the heel toward the toe.
Use a hoof knife to take off the first layer of the sole every time.
A fine bristled wire brush and hoof pick should be used daily.
A and B only.
A AND C ONLY.
All the above.