Grand Gate shoeing recommendations

According to high speed camera observations, I recommend using these parameters when trimming and shoeing him. This has clear effect on the locomotion and diagonal sychronization, thus effecting on the speed and reliability of the trot.

- Toe length on the front hooves is critical. If front hooves' toes are left too long, the breakover becomes too slow and the space between front and hind leg gets too small due to the timing difference between the front and the hind. This forces the horse to twist is body and use excessive force on the front legs to jump upwards in order to avoid forging. Excessive toe length does not increase speed, on the contrary.

- Lengthwise and sidewise (further LW and SW, respectively) toe axis must be trimmed according to the leg conformation. This detail cannot be emphasized too much, as it strongly effects on the trajectory of the hoof during the swing phase. If LW and SW toe axises are not trimmed according to the leg conformation, the load on joints and ligaments will be distributed unevenly while the hoof is on the ground. When the hoof enters the swing phase, these uneven loads will amplify errors in locomotion and, if not controlled by proper trim, cause interfering and/or speedy-cutting.

- Upright front leg posture. This gives the needed space between front and hind legs. As Grand Gate has normally conformed front legs (the angle of the knee joint is 180 degrees) the leg should be upstraight when the SW toe axis is straight (SW toe axis: Theoretical line drawn through the middle of fetlock joint - the pastern joint - the hoof joint- the point of balance under the hoof, also known as the pastern axis). If the front legs lean backwards, the timings between hind and front legs are affected, thus increasing the possibility of forging and scalping and/or speedy-cutting. The posture of the leg is controlled by the toe and heel height ratio.

- Hind legs bearing surface must be in 90 degree angle compared to the shank (hind cannon bone). Looking right from above the hock, the bearing surface should form a letter T, like drawn into this picture: http://www.farridata.fi/kuvat/Arviointiasento_takajalka.jpg

(The bearing surface does not conform to that in the picture.)

Rgds,
Eero Tillanen