In this paper I will cover the digital cushion and the roll it plays in hoof function along with shock absorption.

The digital cushion has a major part to play in the function of the hoof; its main job in the hoof is reducing concussion in the foot then the upper body. The secondary part of its purpose is to support the bone structure in the hoof capsule especially during the flight phase. It is for these reasons that it needs to remain in correct orthopaedic alignment and pliable through correct vascular circulation.

When the orthopaedic stance of the horse is incorrect the digital cushion is placed under an enormous amount of stress and pressure. This pressure and subsequent stress forces the tissue of the digital cushion to change thus changing the shape and alignment of the digital cushion. These changes occur due to the inadequate blood flow through the digital cushion, causing the tissue to become cartilaginous and this means that it does not have the flexibility to carry out its function.

A digital cushion that is under stress tends to change shape and usually take a shape more medial- laterally. In severe cases the digital cushion tends to lose all shape and sit more proximal in the hoof capsule as well as protruding into the bulbs of the heels. When this occurs the digital cushion encroaches on the area between the bilateral distal cartilages placing pressure on the vascular system of the foot and changing the hoof function and biomechanics. Once the digital cushion is positioned more proximally in the hoof capsule it leaves less room for the biomechanical function of middle and distal phalanx. Distal sesamoid bone, impar ligament, collateral ligament of distal sesamoid, deep flexor tendon and bursar, along with the bilateral distal cartilages are also placed under undue stress during the flight stage.

When the digital cushion is cartilaginous and out of alignment it changes the relationship it has on the bilateral distal cartilages. In this state it tends to draw the distal cartilage inwards prohibiting blood flow into the foot and the expansion function of the hoof. Without correct expansion of the hoof, pressure is placed on the palmar distal phalangeal artery and branch arteries of the digital cushion.

This incorrect biomechanics and vascular flow of the hoof all translate into foot pain and the horse then changes its posture affecting the orthopaedic stance of the horse. Once the orthopaedic stance of the horse is compromised then the muscular- skeletal alignment will be force to change due to the incorrect pressure it is faced with.

Realising the importance of this major component of the hoof, I have been working on formulating a procedure for checking the alignment and vascular volume of the digital cushion. The only way I have found to do this with out being invasive to the horse is through palpating the area for alignment and tissue for texture. To carry out this palpation place your thumb on the same angle as the pastern at the back of the foot between the bulbs of the heels, and using your fore finger as a set of hoof testers place it on the frog and palpate this area.

On palpation the digital cushion should have a pliable, smooth and slightly raised centre, and when pressured it should apply a slight outwards pressure on the distal cartilage. An unhealthy digital cushion would palpate as either a hard or jelly like consistency that sits medial laterally protruding into the area of the distal cartilage. With this being the case when pressure is placed on the digital cushion through normal hoof function it will collapse drawing the distal cartilage inwards. Placing pressure on the corium of the sole and other sensitive internal structures of the foot, this in return causes the horse palmer hoof pain with the horse responding by changing its orthopaedic stance.

It is for this reason that the digital cushion should be considered more when determining lameness or hoof pain in the horse.

In this paper I will cover the digital cushion and the roll it plays in hoof function along with shock absorption.

The digital cushion has a major part to play in the function of the hoof; its main job in the hoof is reducing concussion in the foot then the upper body. The secondary part of its purpose is to support the bone structure in the hoof capsule especially during the flight phase. It is for these reasons that it needs to remain in correct orthopaedic alignment and pliable through correct vascular circulation.

When the orthopaedic stance of the horse is incorrect the digital cushion is placed under an enormous amount of stress and pressure. This pressure and subsequent stress forces the tissue of the digital cushion to change thus changing the shape and alignment of the digital cushion. These changes occur due to the inadequate blood flow through the digital cushion, causing the tissue to become cartilaginous and this means that it does not have the flexibility to carry out its function.

A digital cushion that is under stress tends to change shape and usually take a shape more medial- laterally. In severe cases the digital cushion tends to lose all shape and sit more proximal in the hoof capsule as well as protruding into the bulbs of the heels. When this occurs the digital cushion encroaches on the area between the bilateral distal cartilages placing pressure on the vascular system of the foot and changing the hoof function and biomechanics. Once the digital cushion is positioned more proximally in the hoof capsule it leaves less room for the biomechanical function of middle and distal phalanx. Distal sesamoid bone, impar ligament, collateral ligament of distal sesamoid, deep flexor tendon and bursar, along with the bilateral distal cartilages are also placed under undue stress during the flight stage.

When the digital cushion is cartilaginous and out of alignment it changes the relationship it has on the bilateral distal cartilages. In this state it tends to draw the distal cartilage inwards prohibiting blood flow into the foot and the expansion function of the hoof. Without correct expansion of the hoof, pressure is placed on the palmar distal phalangeal artery and branch arteries of the digital cushion.

This incorrect biomechanics and vascular flow of the hoof all translate into foot pain and the horse then changes its posture affecting the orthopaedic stance of the horse. Once the orthopaedic stance of the horse is compromised then the muscular- skeletal alignment will be force to change due to the incorrect pressure it is faced with.

Realising the importance of this major component of the hoof, I have been working on formulating a procedure for checking the alignment and vascular volume of the digital cushion. The only way I have found to do this with out being invasive to the horse is through palpating the area for alignment and tissue for texture. To carry out this palpation place your thumb on the same angle as the pastern at the back of the foot between the bulbs of the heels, and using your fore finger as a set of hoof testers place it on the frog and palpate this area.

On palpation the digital cushion should have a pliable, smooth and slightly raised centre, and when pressured it should apply a slight outwards pressure on the distal cartilage. An unhealthy digital cushion would palpate as either a hard or jelly like consistency that sits medial laterally protruding into the area of the distal cartilage. With this being the case when pressure is placed on the digital cushion through normal hoof function it will collapse drawing the distal cartilage inwards. Placing pressure on the corium of the sole and other sensitive internal structures of the foot, this in return causes the horse palmer hoof pain with the horse responding by changing its orthopaedic stance.

It is for this reason that the digital cushion should be considered more when determining lameness or hoof pain in the horse.