| tion_start --> | | | | process, also takes some lay up time for your |
| My last discussions I identified sheared heels and | | | | horse - you'll probably not want to ride the horse |
| the associated risks, if you missed that article I | | | | for several months until the heels have a chance |
| suggest you read it, now let's get the fix I | | | | to grow back. The process starts with addressing |
| promised. | | | | the length of the toe just as above, so make |
| If your horse has sheared heels there are several | | | | sure the toe is being rasped back. Now here |
| fixes. In either case the toe of the foot should | | | | comes the traumatic part. What you want to do |
| most likely be moved to the rear of the horse - | | | | is cut "All" the heel "Off" the horses foot. I know |
| in other words when the shoe is put on slide the | | | | sounds scary and it somewhat is. By cutting off |
| shoe more to the rear of the foot then rasp the | | | | the entire heel you've put the horse right smack |
| extra toe back to the shoe. You can move the | | | | down on the bulb of the foot. Now there is no |
| shoe back very close to the white line if | | | | longer any sheared heel. |
| necessary. For one this will help the horse break | | | | When the heel has no more shear is has a chance |
| over more easily and reduce all the stresses on | | | | to grow more straight up and down as it's |
| tendons joints and ligaments but it will also help | | | | intended to do so. The slope is gone so the |
| reduce the hoof stretch and drift you'll usually find | | | | downward pressure doesn't force the slope to |
| as a toe grows forward. This stops the heels | | | | continue. This works especially if the toe of the |
| from shearing more as well "usually". | | | | horse is continually rasped to the rear. Leave the |
| The first fix is kind of a "Bandage type fix" while | | | | horse barefoot through this process as you're not |
| the second actually corrects the problem but is a | | | | riding anyway - and this will give the heels a |
| lengthy process. The first fix is to fit a shoe with | | | | chance to expand in width as well. So the problem |
| longer heels than normal. A longer shoe in the | | | | with this method is the lay up time, but what |
| heels is ok; the rule of thumb is to not extend | | | | you've done is really addressed all the problems in |
| the shoe past the bulb of the foot. By moving | | | | a real manner and not just the quick fix. |
| the shoe to the rear of the foot it automatically | | | | The truth is the quick fix works to prevent the |
| makes the shoe longer in the heel where needed | | | | lameness issues so most people opt to use the |
| and also starts the process of rasping the toe to | | | | quick fix because they bypass the lay up time of |
| the rear also needed. So this will get you out of | | | | 4-6 month in the process. So you have a decision |
| trouble (somewhat). The problem is in reality the | | | | to make for yourself. If you don't ride during the |
| heel is still sheared - all we've done is quick fix it | | | | winter months it might be the time to use the |
| by the longer shoe. | | | | latter method - however if you ride all year long |
| So what can still happen is since the load on the | | | | then the choice is all up to you my friend. Either |
| hoof wall is still out of balance the "Blowout" I | | | | way you'll be ok. |
| mentioned can still result. This is usually in and of | | | | Again - you should know I have a shoeing method |
| itself not a problem but just an indication that | | | | not taught in the schools and textbooks with a 16 |
| things are still not right with the foot. But you've | | | | year 100% track record "Not One Single Lame |
| extended the heel with the shoe which stops the | | | | Horse" due to my method. If you want to help |
| heels from sinking into the ground and putting all | | | | your horse stay sound I encourage you to |
| those undue stresses on the horse's joints etc. | | | | liberate yourself and your horse by going to the |
| The shoe may also be fit a little wider in the heels | | | | website address linked below in the Author Bio. |
| for more support as well. | | | | It's easy just go now before you forget and this |
| Now the real fix, which is the more lengthy | | | | opportunity to higher education passes you by. |