Behind the Bit

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Riley's hooves: A celebration of differences? Posted: 08 Mar 2010 01:32 PM PST No, no cause for celebration, although it's not a great tragedy either.  I happen to have a horse whose front feet could belong to different horses. It's really most evident when you look at the angles of both feet (pastern/hoof) -- but you can also see diffrences in the outlines of his front feet -- click on the image to see the actual size of the hooves. Riley's RF used to be the better of the two in terms of angles (the left was clubby). The shapes of the hooves were similar last year before the surgery and everything else. The glue-on shoes, hospital plate, and stall rest have caused some changes to his RF hoof shape. Lack of exercise and having his frog elevated off the ground caused the the heels to contract and the hoof is narrower than it was. Riley's LF is a size 2, the right front is now a 1.5 per the farrier. Here is the RF overlaid on top of the LF.  Riley's feet toe out slightly. I'm thinking the LF may have a bit of a flare? Or not. Oh, by the way he is doing really well. Even after slicing his heel bulb (minor) during a lunge session (yes he had bell boots on), he's stayed sound, and is now working in tack.  He is paired with a horse that is perhaps a worse nudge than he is and watching them interact is a hoot. Oh

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