CORRECT WEIGHTBEARING

As the primary objective of hoof trimming is to restore the foot to its correct shape, it is important that we first examine the normal foot and then the distortions which occur with overgrowth.

The correct weightbearing surfaces of the foot are indicated by the shaded areas in Figure 9.5. They consist of the heel, plus the wall of the hoof which runs from the heel forwards to the toe and

Figure 9.7. The approximate dimensions and angles of a normal claw.

then back for the first 25-30% of the interdigital space. Weight should be taken on the wall, the white line and an area of the sole adjacent to the white line, so that the whole of the toe is weightbearing. However, the central sole area, marked A in Figure 9.5 and positioned immediately beneath the rear inner edge (the flexor tuberosity) of the pedal bone, should not be weightbearing. This is shown in Figure 9.6. To optimise weightbearing within the foot, the anterior wall of the hoof from coronary band to toe should be 70-80 mm long and form an angle of 45-50° with the horizontal of the sole. These dimensions are shown in Figure 9.7. Note that the foot has a good heel height and that the accessory digits are well above the ground.