Smart Hoof Flashcards
Describe coupled motion in the distal limb
Lateral or medial bend is paired with rotation
How does a restriction affect adjacent parts
Adjacent areas will be hypermotile
How does a low hoof angle affect the coffin, pastern and fetlock joints at mid-stance?
Less flexion of coffin joint, less extension of fetlock
What are the functional areas of the hoof?
- Heels for dampening
- Frog and sole for support
- Toe for propulsion
What are two reasons the heels may be low?
Heels grow slower and wear faster there
Where are the proprioceptors concentrated in the foot?
Heels and proximal navicular area
The navicular bone is subjected to forces that should cause a fracture. Why prevents it?
It is held in a “ligamentous sling” which helps absorb force
Suspensory ligament of navicular bone prevents excess forces when heels land unevenly
Why is P3 filled with so many blood vessels?
Viscous friction can dissipate energy and aid in dampening of the high forces at impact
Where can you palpate the collateral ligament of the DIP?
LI-1, SI-1
How does coffin joint extension affect the DDF and the DAL?
Increases pressure – strain increases when coffin joint extends
Extension of which joint increases pressure the most on the SDF and suspensory ligament?
fetlock
How does lowering the hoof angle affect the DAL, DDF, SDF and suspensory?
Increased tension in the DDF, DAL, and navicular ligaments, decreased tension on suspensory
How does raising the hoof angle affect the DAL, DDF, SDF and suspensory?
Decrease tension on DDFT, and DAL but increases tension in the suspensory and SDFT
Compare the SDF characteristics with the DDF.
SDF – fatigue resistant, eccentric action, high force, elastic energy storage, at trot or faster
DDF – fatigueable, low force, works more at gallop
How can a low heel/high heel combination affect the rider?
Sternum shifts away from low heel, withers shift towards low heel, saddle shifts towards low heel, rider feels shifted towards the low heel
