Page 204 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

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Figure 6.8 Side view of foot to show a) normal, b) broken-back and c) broken-forward hoof-pastern axes

Radiographic views
On a lateral view of the foot:

• the front of the pedal bone and the anterior hoof wall should be parallel

• the hoof-pastern axis should be straight

• the lower border of the pedal bone should form a 2–10 degree angle with the ground
surface, with the caudal (back) part of the pedal bone being slightly higher than the front.

Dorsopalmar imbalance may be caused by:

• incorrect or infrequent trimming

• leaving the shoes on too long
• using shoes that are too short at the heels

• there may be a genetic predisposition to this conformation in some Thoroughbreds.

The most common imbalance is a broken-back hoof-pastern axis with long toes and low
heels (see page 151) (Figures 6.8 and 6.9).