There are many signs of imbalance to look for in a hoof and not just the hoof and pastern axis analysis.

The hoof is constantly under pressure whilst accomplishing its job of supporting and protecting the internal mechanism of the hoof and supporting the weight of the equine. This system works extremely well if the pressure is placed in the correct alignment with the body structures. An imbalance of the pressure can and will cause the break down or misalignment of the internal structure and these in return cause undue loading of the muscle, skeletal and blood system.

DIAGNOSIS

What are the signs in the hoof of misalignment?

concaved or convexed hoof walls

flares in the hoof wall

misalignment of coronet line (pushed up or waves)

shelly hoof walls

cracks in hoof walls (stress cracks)

bleeding from coronet band

heel bulbs extending out the back

underrun heels

distal cartilage alignment

navicular syndrome

PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES

The external signs that we can see when viewing the hoof on the ground are only telling us half the story. We must look closely at the pathological change-taking place in the hoof. Changes such as:

hoof shape

texture (hoof, sole, frog, white line)

pigmentation changes (white line, frog, sole)

frog shape

extra layering down of sole

hoof capsule thickness and wear

abnormal fusing of frog and sole

bruising or bleeding through the sole or white line

size of white line

Sole alignment with the white line and wall.

All the above signs start to give us an in depth checking system as to the healthiness and correct alignment of the internal structure of the hoof.

These changes take place due to the stress placed on the hooves. By learning to understand the signs we can formulate a program of releasing the stress on the internal structure of the hoof and this will lead to less stress and better alignment of the upper body.