Page 22 - April 2005 The Game
P. 22

22 The Game, April 2005 Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
Change is difficult. You certainly aren’t alone if you find changing your routine a challenge. There are many people who do things just because that is the way they have always been done. And even when the facts prove that there may be a better way, the fear of change may be an overpowering barrier.
The barefoot horse is one such aspect of racing that is facing the barrier of change, despite the research that indicates numerous benefits to the overall well being of the horse.
Referred to as the unfettered foot, studies in Germany, Australia and the United States have shown that horses who perform without shoes are healthier and less likely to become lame.
The reasoning and research behind the barefoot horse makes a good argument however those who wish to initiate a change to shoeless racing has been met with much resistance from the racing industry.
There are currently two major groups who are pro- moting barefoot performance horses in Europe and North America. Dr. Strasser of Germany, and Jaime Jackson from the United States. Dr. Strasser has been researching barefoot horses for more than 20 years, while Jaime has been studying and writing about wild horses, and is the author of numerous books on the subject of the barefoot performance horse, as well as the founder of the organi- zation, The American Association of Natural Hoof Care Practitioners.
Through their research some facts have shown that horses hooves weren’t designed to have shoes.
The horse as we know it
today is the product of 60
million years of evolution.
The horse evolved to adapt
and survive in their natural
environment. The evolution of the horse’s hoof is one such adaptation and it has a multitude of functions including protection and traction and shock absorption as well as being a blood flow circulatory pump.
Protection: The outer hoof protects the sensitive internal vascular system from outside forces, acts as a temperature insulator and secures footing on any terrain. It also keeps a constant temperature inside the hoof for cell metabolism (horn production) and protein removal from the bloodstream.
Traction: A naturally worn hoof creates bars and walls on the heels which protrude slightly above the concave sole creating traction grooves similar to that of a car. Through the “skid brake” action of the bars, the wedge action of the toes and the suction cup effect of the sole and frog, a natural hoof can ensure safe footing on any terrain.
Shock Absorption: This is one of the most impor- tant functions of the hoof. The bones of the foot are
not aligned vertically, but in a harmonic curve. When the hoof contacts the ground the impact energy that is produced does not travel straight up the leg, it is partially absorbed with a leaf spring effect. The hoof capsule expands when weight is applied which constitutes 79 to 80% absorption and narrows when the foot is lifted. There is also compression of the spiral horn tubules in the wall of the hoof which act like individual shock absorbing springs.
Blood Flow Circulatory Pump: In between the hoof capsule and the internal structures of the hoof lies the hoof corium which is similar to a highly vascular sponge. Blood is squeezed out of the hoof corium and up the leg when the foot is lifted and the hoof narrows and then fills up with blood again when the hoof capsule expands or is weight baring. The feet act as a blood pump to the heart increasing blood flow and overall functioning.
When the foot is shod it is fixated in its narrowest state and impairs the hoof mechanism as a whole.
A shoe eliminates movement of the hoof capsule thus preventing a number of important functions from happening including the elimination of 70-80% of the natural shock absorption in the hoof.
The lack of movement (contracting and narrowing) also means the feet can no longer act as a natural pump for the heart resulting in added stress on the heart itself. When a hoof is kept in its narrow form by a shoe,
the corium exists in a state of perpetual pathogenic pressure. (similar to the squeezing a sponge until it is dry and no longer expands).
The cell metabolism (horn production) is reduced and therefore protein removal from the blood stream is also effected and can result in ossification, arthritis of the joint and ligament damage.
Because the hoof does not expand, it is impossible for the sole to draw flat and therefore the coffin bone has nowhere to go and impacts the hard sole horn resulting in bruising.
With the hoof in this restrictive state, the nerve function of the horse is also impaired due to the reduction of blood circulation in the area. Oxygen and glycogen becomes deficient and therefore the ion potential around the nerve endings cannot be rebuilt properly and the hoof is in effect numbed resulting in the horse walking with its feet “asleep”.
CONTINUED PAGE 36
~ A Point to Ponder ~
Barefoot Racing
HBPA
Backstretch Update
2005 Trainer Testing
Trainer Testing will begin at Woodbine on April 25 & 27 with the applications due by 3pm on Monday, April 11. The next date available for Trainer Testing at Woodbine will be August 8 & 10 with applications due by 3pm Monday, July 25.
The first Trainer Testing of 2005 at Fort Erie is scheduled for June 8 & 10 with applications due by 3pm on Wednesday, May 25. The next Trainers Testing at Fort Erie is scheduled for September 21 & 23 with applications due by 3pm on Wednesday, September 7.
Anne Riddell is pictured here with her barefoot three-year-old Bracey’s Goal, a Porto Foricos gelding out of the mare Kalliste. Bracey’s Goal was named after Dr. Bracey Clark, a veterinarian at the Royal Veterinarian Academy in London England, who tried, 200 years ago, to convince his peers that shoeing a horse was not beneficial.
Barefooted Bracey’s Goal will likely be competing at Woodbine this season.
Anne says that blacksmiths don’t have to worry about loss of business with barefoot horses as they will be kept quite busy trimming the healthy hooves that grow much faster than shooed hooves.
This thermo photo shows the difference in body heat between a shooed hoof and the three Barefoot Hooves. The photo was presented by Dr. Strasser at a conference in Germany in November 2003
HBPA Backstretch Office Hours
The HBPA Woodbine Backstretch Office is currently open Monday to Friday, 7am to 3pm. Effective April 11 the office will remain open from 7am to 3pm, seven days a week, until the end of the 2005 meet.
The HBPA Fort Erie Backstretch Office is also currently open Monday to Friday from 7am to 3pm. Effective April 25 the office will remain open from 7am to 3pm, seven days a week, until the end of the 2005 meet.
Groom of the Day
The HBPA will once again be sponsoring the “Groom of the Day’ program at both Woodbine and Fort Erie racetracks.
One groom each racing day will be selected as the winner based on their overall appearance and the appearance of their horse in the paddock.
The winning groom will receive a cheque for $75.00.
Skills Improvement Course
All backstretch employees are encouraged to upgrade their horsemanship skills with the HBPA Skills Improvement Courses being offered again this year.
The Courses include Practical, Anatomy and Physiology, and Racing Business, and will begin in early May. Applications and additional information is available at both the Woodbine and Fort Erie HBPA Track Offices.
Visit the HBPA website at www.hbpa.on.ca
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings Every Tuesday at 1pm
HBPA Trailer Backstretch Woodbine Racetrack


































































































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