AANHCP Natural Hoof and Horse Care Services for the South East of England

Alfie's near fore when we first met pre trim.     

What are the Coloured Lines For?

The lines are a crude representation of where Alfies coffin bone is with in his hoof capsule.

Blue Line > This is the "Healing Angle of Growth (HA) ". Alfie is a healing process. He is growing hoof at a steeper angel than he has done previously. You can see that the top 3cm of his hoof wall are quite a different angle to the Red Line below. This new growth indicates a tight white line connection between the coffin bone and the hoof wall. Running paralell to this is the ............

Green Line > This a representation of Alfies "Coffin Bone (P3)". You can see that the new HA growing down puts P3 in an almost ground paralell position. If you made P3 paralell to the Red line can you see what happens? The Blue line is a healing response and attempt by the body to balance the bones under the horse. This is what we trim to. The HA should be the same before and after a trim so the healing process is not disturbed.

Red Line > This is the "Basement Angle". This is the old hoof which in this case and for what ever reason has seperated from P3.  When the white line connection breaks down the weight of the horse is unsupported and the bones decend further into the hoof capsule and closer the the ground. Hence the flatness of his soles.

Dealing with white line seperation, white line disease and laminitis. FAQ's

Four Weeks Later

Please note :

  • *** Alfies heels*** They have opened out even within this short space of time.
  • His bars are more defined and are coming back away from the sole where they were needed as support. (we never remove what is being used) This natural change indicates that the hoof is beginning to support it's self and the compensation of the folded over bars is now no longer necessary. The horse makes this decision.
  • Look at the heels in the left photo and compare them with the first photo. Here i am talking about the hoof wall at the heels. There is considerably more hight in the more recent photo. His heels have been doing some major rearranging during these 4 weeks.
  • The point where the HA and the BA meet is over half way down the hoof wall.  This is also pretty cool!