These are case studies of horses I have trimmed to show my work. As you can see some of these case studies have great improvement after just one trim, while others took much longer before you can see the improved healthier hoof. Please note, all the after trim pictures are not the final step for treatment, but to show their progression to improved hoof health. Rehabilitation time depends on the current health of the hoof, age and time horse was shod and lifestyle (terrain, daily movement, diet, companionship, climate (very wet or dry), owner involvement, ect.). All the case studies shown here are of hooves that have pathologies. We can only change the current health of the hoof with corrective balance trims every 4-5 weeks to allow a new healthier hoof capsule grow in and replace the old.
Case Study 1 - Deep Toe Crack
This horse had an on going toe crack for many years. Before picture is taken before I ever trimmed and after trim picture is 12 months.
Before first trim 12 months later
Case Study 2 - Severely overgrown hooves
These hooves belong to a pony who had not been trimmed in many years.
Left front before trim Left front - 30 minutes later
Right front before trim Right front - 30 minutes later
Left hind before trim Left hind - 30 minutes later
Right hind before trim Right hind - 30 minutes later
Case Study 3 - Severe out of Balance hooves
This horse had severe out of balance hooves with crooked legs that followed and ringbone. After a balance trim this horse stood much better and also moved better. With corrective balance trims this horse stays sound.
Before trim After trim - 30 min. later
Case Study 4 - Severe underslung heels
Weight bearing Lateral View
Here is a case study with a hoof with severe underslung heels. There is no support behind the red line. Notice how the heel support improved greatly after trim.
Before trim After trim - 30 min. later
Sole view - Overlaid bars
Same hoof as above. The green line on the before picture shows how far forward the heels run. The red line outlines the overgrown bars over the sole which chokes out sole growth. After trim you can see heels brought back and bars trimmed off sole.
Before Trim After Trim - 30 minutes later
Case Study 5 - Founder with severe underslung heels
This hoof had several pathologies; including coffin bone rotation, coffin bone sinking, wall separation, and severe underslung heels.
Before trim 18 weeks later
This is the same hoof as above from a lateral non-weight bearing view. In the before picture, you can see there is no wall support, the heels are running forward, the frog has no ground contact (see heel picture below), the heel bulbs are contracted and there is no digital cushion for support at the back of the hoof. But most of all, there is no solar concavity in this hoof. You can actually see the shape of the coffin bone pressing down on the sole from coffin bone sinking. In the after trim picture, you can see the improved solar concavity. The heels are back further, frog now has ground contact and more digital cushion.
Before Trim 18 weeks later
Same hoof as above, heel view.
Before Trim 18 weeks later
Case Study 6 - Founder
This hoof had both coffin bone rotation and separation. This horse was also extremely lame. After corrective trims every 3-4 weeks, correct diet, adequate movement on correct terrain and no pharmaceutical drugs, this horse improved week by week. Several months of growing a healthy hoof to replace the old, this horse became sound.
Left Hind - Before Trim 6 weeks later
Case Study 7 - Contracted heels
These hooves belong to a horse that was shod at an early age. Heels are contracted, causing his frog to be narrow with little digital cushion.
Before trim 12 weeks later
Same hoof as above. Different angle to show you the difference in his heels, frog and heel bulbs before trim and after several corrective trims over time.
Same hoof as above. Different angle to show you the difference in his heels, frog and heel bulbs before trim and after several corrective trims over time.
Before trim 12 weeks later
Case Study 8 - Underslung heels
In the before picture, you can see how this horse's horn tubules are more horizontal which gives less support to the back of the hoof. In the after trim picture, you can see now the horn tubules are more vertical, bringing heel support further back and less pressure on her heel bulbs. Although there is a great difference in the before and after trim pictures, her heels are still underslung but with corrective balanced trimming can she grow in a healthy hoof over time.
Before trim After trim 30 minutes later
These pictures were taken on the same day as the pictures above. In the before picture, I drew a red line around the bars to show you how they were laid over her sole, also look at her heel points how far forward they run. In the after trim picture, I drew on just one side along her bar to show how I trimmed her bars back to their correct position. Also, look at her heel points after trim, I brought them back so she has more support at the back of her hoof.
Before trim After trim 30 minutes later.
