| ASTI | |
| BREED | : | SB |
| AGE | : | 14 years old |
| HEIGHT | : | 16 hh |
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COMMENTS
Asti has upward type growth and because of infrequent trimming by the previous owners this has resulted in many problems. Over the course of 8 months, Asti's hooves have achieved a positive and dramatic change. From narrow, unsymmetrical, weak, overgrown dysfunctional hooves, they are now healthy and strong. The frog has expanded and opened, and has become a working supportive structure for the hoof. The sole is strong, concaved and a far more proportional shape. The hoof walls are thick and strong with a tight laminar connection.
The hoof before trimming, looked sickly, diseased and dysfunctional. Now the hoof emanates life, health, vitality, and functions perfectly. No extra hoof supplements were given, just consistent corrective monthly trims.
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Before 1st Corrective Trim
Left Front - Side View
24.08.08 |
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Transformed 8 Months Later
Left Front - Side View
11.04.09 |
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Before 1st Corrective Trim
Left Front - Underneath View
24.08.08 |
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Transformed 8 Months Later
Left Front - Underneath View
11.04.09 |
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High heels - observation
The heels are too high, which promotes a toe first landing. This inhibits extension of joints in the limb, places stress on the tendons and ligaments, and incorrectly distributes weight onto the front area of the hoof - an area not designed to incur such extreme force.
Action taken
By lowering the heel height as much as possible, the weight is more correctly distributed which promotes a heel strike. This results in the correct utilisation of shock absorption structures, expansion of the hoof and also extension of the limb.
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Long toes - observation
The toes are too long from either incorrect or infrequent trimming. Break over becomes difficult and excess force is placed on the toe area of the hoof resulting in compromised wall/laminar connection.
Action taken
The excess toe has been removed as much as possible and a mustang roll applied according to the thickness of hoof wall. Leverage forces are removed, thus facilitating a tight wall/laminar connection.
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Splits and chips - observation
The splits, chips, cracks and breakages have occurred due to a combination of factors - usually poor hoof horn along with either infrequent or incorrect trimming.
Action taken
The splits, chips, cracks and breakages have been removed as much as possible. With consistent and correct trimming these will not reoccur.
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White line disease - observation
Opportunistic bacteria/fungi have multiplied in the stressed tissue space, resulting in white line disease.
Action taken
Non invasive removal of the dead and infected tissue, frequent trimming and most importantly removal of the cause ensures that it will not spread further. Over time diseased tissue will be replaced with healthy and functional regrowth.
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Black thrush - observation
Little or no contact of the sole with the ground has prevented it from exfoliating naturally. This has caused a build up of dead tissue which has been invaded by bacteria/fungi, giving the affected area a blackish appearance on the surface. When partially removed, a crumbly white interior is revealed.
Action taken
With the cause of the problem removed along with all dead tissue - stimulation by ground contact will prevent this from reoccurring.
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Frog contracted - observation
No ground stimulation has contributed to atrophy and contraction of the frog and heel bulbs. The force of impact is diverted to other areas which are not designed as shock absorbing structures.
Action taken
Removal of the cause encourages the hoof to function correctly, thereby activating long unused parts of the hoof. Over time the frog and heel bulbs will open out, expand and become functional shock absorbing structures of the hoof.
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