Page 152 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

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Figure 4.2 Muscle wasting on the left side of the hind quarters

ASSESSMENT OF FOOT SHAPE AND BALANCE

At this stage each foot is assessed for:

• size
• shape

• toe and heel length

• lateral/medial balance

• heel height – are the bulbs of the heels on each hoof the same height and how close to the
ground are they?

• hoof-pastern axis

• coronary band swellings or sensitivity

• any obvious heat, cracks or other defects
• the condition of the frog.

A slight variation in the size of the front feet is not always indicative of a problem but